It was revealed on the 22nd that Takahiro Hamada (36), a member of the seven-member group WEST., will star in the stage play "Kageki / ~Resurrected Ichiba Saburo: Love in the Underworld~" (June 30th to July 27th at Tokyo Globe Theatre, August 1st to 10th at Kyoto Theatre).

This is the third instalment in the series of Hamada's first starring stage play, which was performed in 2016 and 2018. Looking ahead to the revival after seven years, Hamada expressed confidence, saying, "Although this is the third production, it is a comedy that will be thoroughly enjoyed by both those who have seen the previous performances and those who are seeing it for the first time."

Hamada plays Ichiba Saburo, a kind and earnest man who, despite his best efforts, always ends up spinning his wheels, but who cannot turn a blind eye to people in trouble. Once again, the screenwriter, actor Fukuda Tenkyu, has given his all to play the character that was written specifically for Hamada. Up until now, he has experienced unrequited love in hot spring resorts and Guam, but the setting for the third installment is the underworld. Hamada's character Saburo ends up in the underworld after an unexpected accident with a beautiful monk he met on a company trip to Kyoto.

Hamada himself had hoped for a sequel to the series when it was first performed in 2018. "It's not a musical, it's a musical comedy, with a cappella singing, and the story has a lot of silly things that I love that will make you laugh," he said, adding, "I hope everyone will enjoy it. I'll be waiting for you at the theater."