This Is I True Story? Who Was Dr. Koji Wada Based On?

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Dr. Koji Wada Explained: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Netflix’s “This is I”

Netflix’s Japanese film This is I (ディスイズアイ) is billed as “based on real life,” and the character “Dr. Koji Wada” isn’t a vague inspiration or a composite—he’s portrayed as a real person with the same name. In other words: yes, this story is rooted in real events, and “Dr. Koji Wada” is based on the late Japanese doctor Koji Wada (和田耕治), known for pioneering gender-affirming surgeries in Japan and for being closely tied to entertainer Haruna Ai (はるな愛).

Release note: This is I is scheduled to stream globally on Netflix on February 10, 2026.

Quick Answer: Who Was Dr. Koji Wada Based On?

Dr. Koji Wada in This is I is based on the real Dr. Koji Wada (和田耕治), the physician who (per multiple published accounts and Haruna Ai’s own statements) performed her gender-affirming surgery and later became a prominent figure in the history of gender-affirming care in Japan.

  • Real name used in the film: Koji Wada
  • Connection to Haruna Ai: described as the doctor who performed her surgery; Haruna Ai has referred to herself as his “first” patient
  • Primary source material behind the film: Haruna Ai’s autobiography and a nonfiction book centered on Dr. Wada’s life and work

Watch the Official Trailer (YouTube)

Is “This is I” Really a True Story?

This is I is a dramatized film, but Netflix and Japanese entertainment outlets consistently describe it as a story based on real events involving Haruna Ai (who rose to massive fame in the late 2000s) and Dr. Koji Wada. The movie’s plot centers on a young person (Kenji) pursuing an idol dream while wrestling with identity and facing stigma, and then forming a bond with Dr. Wada—who steps into the then-taboo world of gender-affirming surgery.

The film has also been described as an “air musical” style production that blends story beats with hit songs and dance set pieces—so you should expect heightened, cinematic storytelling even when the core facts come from real-life accounts.

The Real Dr. Koji Wada (和田耕治): What We Know From Published Accounts

The strongest “who is he?” clues come from the nonfiction publishing trail tied to the movie. Several reports point to two key books as the film’s foundation: Haruna Ai’s autobiography and a nonfiction book focused on Dr. Wada’s career and philosophy.

In Japanese media and book descriptions, Dr. Wada is repeatedly framed as a doctor who:

  • Defied a long-standing taboo around gender-affirming surgery in Japan
  • Was known for performing hundreds of surgeries (often cited as 600+ over his lifetime)
  • Became a kind of legendary, debated, and highly impactful figure—admired by many patients, criticized by some, and operating under intense social pressure
  • Died in 2007 (frequently noted in profiles of the book about him)

One widely circulated nonfiction title tied to his legacy is often referenced in English as Penis Cutter (a deliberately provocative title) and described as the story of a doctor who saved people living with what was historically labeled “gender identity disorder.”

Instagram Posts Embedded (Official Promotion & Cast)

Why Dr. Wada’s Work Was Considered “Taboo” in Japan (Helpful Context)

Japan’s modern history around sex reassignment / gender-affirming surgery has a complicated legal and cultural backdrop. A major historical reference point is the so-called “Blue Boy trial”, a court case that involved prosecution of a doctor connected to sex reassignment surgeries in the 1960s. Many summaries note that the case contributed to a long chill over the practice.

Separate reporting from the late 1990s describes how Japan’s first “legal” modern-era surgery approvals resumed after years of delay, with strict conditions and ethics review—context that helps explain why later doctors willing to operate could be seen as operating “against the current.”

What Haruna Ai Has Said About Dr. Wada

One of the most direct claims tying the movie’s doctor to real life comes from Haruna Ai herself. Japanese entertainment reporting on her social media has quoted her describing Dr. Koji Wada as the doctor who performed her surgery— and she also described herself as his “first” patient.

What Reddit Theories Say About This (and What Fans Are Noticing)

On Reddit, early discussion around This is I tends to cluster around a few themes: the fact it’s “based on a real story,” curiosity about Haruna Ai’s public career vs. her private life story, and interest in how Netflix will portray the medical and social climate of the era.

This is I film premiering February 10, 2026, on Netflix
This is I : Netflix Global Release (Feb 2026)

Embedded Twitter/X: Live Posts From Official Accounts

Common Confusion: Is This Dr. Koji Wada the Same as the Digimon Singer Koji Wada?

No—there’s a very famous Kōji Wada known internationally as the singer of iconic Digimon theme songs (including “Butter-Fly”). That person is a musician with a separate biography and is not connected to the doctor depicted in This is I. The doctor referenced by the film is written as 和田耕治 in Japanese sources tied to this story.

FAQ (SEO)

Is Dr. Koji Wada a real person?

Yes. The film and multiple Japanese entertainment reports describe Dr. Koji Wada (和田耕治) as a real doctor whose work is a key part of the story.

What is “This is I” based on?

Published coverage and Netflix’s own descriptions point to Haruna Ai’s autobiography and a nonfiction book about Dr. Wada as primary source material.

When does “This is I” release on Netflix?

Netflix and Japanese entertainment outlets list February 10, 2026 as the global Netflix release date.

How accurate will the movie be?

It’s best understood as a “based on real events” film rather than a documentary. Core relationships and milestones are drawn from real accounts, while scenes, timelines, and side characters may be dramatized for storytelling.

Related Content to Watch If “This is I” Hooks You

If you’re watching for “real-life inspiration,” “identity,” and “finding your people,” Netflix’s own title page for This is I also surfaces other suggestions you might want to add to your list:

  • The Life You Wanted
  • Ride or Die
  • Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
  • Alex Strangelove
  • Nuovo Olimpo

More About This Is I

Sources & Further Reading