Netflix’s upcoming Japanese drama Plastic Beauty, set in Japan’s rapidly growing cosmetic surgery industry, will be released on September 17th, the streamer announced, along with 23 additional cast members joining stars Mayu Matsuoka and Riisa Naka.
Yuki Saito, who previously directed Unmet: Diary of a Neurosurgeon, will direct the series, with Junya Ikegami (The Queen of Villains) writing the screenplay. Netflix and the creative team spent months researching Japan’s cosmetic surgery industry first-hand prior to production. That research extended to the make-up department, where special effects artist Amazing JIRO (Straight to Hell) led the team in creating clear ‘before’, ‘downtime’ and ‘after’ progressions for all patient characters across the cast.
The series takes place against the ongoing debate over beauty standards in Japan, a culture that is becoming more tolerant of diverse looks, even though the field of cosmetic surgery remains one of the fastest-growing industries. The tension unfolds through two doctors who have conflicting views on change. They are Fumi Numata, a genius surgeon who was forced out of the hospital after an emergency surgery, and Rin Toyama, a famous surgeon who believes beauty is the source of healing. When Fumi takes the job with a plan to expose the dark side of Rin’s clinic, their conflict drives the series, with the story more interested in what drives people to transformation than the surgery itself.
Matsuoka (“Shoplifters”) plays Fumi, a doctor whose beliefs are tested when he enters a profession with its own rules. Naka (“Alice in Wonderland”) plays Rin, the public face of the clinic and its most dedicated defender of Fumi’s efforts to destroy it.
Shotaro Mamiya will also appear in the role of Rui Komiya, the clinic’s vice director. Minami Tanaka plays Nanami Todoroki, the head nurse. Hiromi Nagasaku plays the role of Fumi’s mother, Taeko Numata. Atsuro Watanabe plays Arata Toyama, a powerful figure in the industry. Performers include Riku Hagiwara, Mijika Nagai, Daichi Watanabe, Reiji of the comedy duo Nakagawa family, Shishido Kafka, Yu Shirota, Naozumi Mashiko, Sosei Takeda, Rika Izumi, Kentaro Tamura, Eisuke Sasai, Hana Amano, Hina Kagei, Naoko Ken, Kayo Noro, Rin Furukawa, Yumi Adachi, Shunsuke Kazama, and Kōki.
Harue Miyake and Katsuhito Mogi will produce, with Shinichi Kudo serving as the planning producer. K2 Pictures is producing the series for Netflix.
