Ken Kojima Joins “Yagami Eiko” as Key Antagonist, Challenges Full English Acting and Action

It was announced on the 27th that Ken Kojima of Ae! group will appear in the Hulu original drama Yagami Eiko: Ueno Chuo Police Station Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, starring Meisa Kuroki. Ken will take on the role of a Filipino hitman, marking his first time performing entirely in English.

*ドラマ『八神瑛子 -上野中央署組織犯罪対策課-』に出演する小島健（C）HJホールディングス*

The series is based on the popular police novel series Organized Crime Countermeasures Division: Yagami Eiko by Akio Fukamachi, set in Ueno, Tokyo—a district where diverse cultures coexist. Beginning with Outburn in 2011, the series has grown into a major hit with over 500,000 copies in circulation.

Ken plays Graniso, a key antagonist who stands against the protagonist, Eiko Yagami (Meisa). Graniso is a Filipino assassin with exceptional physical abilities and a member of the semi-underground group “Tokyo Alliance,” which operates mainly within Shinjuku’s jurisdiction. He is ordered to kill Eiko, who is investigating the identity of the organization’s shadowy boss. In addition to Eiko, Graniso also targets a man named Kitahara—an escaped former accountant from a Manila-based illegal drug operation run by the Tokyo Alliance—bringing him into conflict with the yakuza group “Chinami-gumi,” who are sheltering Kitahara.

The drama follows Eiko’s pursuit of revenge for her late husband and child, centering on a world where police forces, yakuza, and underground groups collide. One of its main highlights is the full-scale action. While Meisa underwent three months of training prior to filming, Ken also trained alongside her, taking on his first serious person-to-person action role in a visual production. His physical performance—honed through long-term action training specifically for this role—is another key point to watch.

To portray a Filipino assassin, Ken delivers all of his lines in English throughout the entire series. In order to master a “Filipino-accented English,” he underwent extensive language training with a coach. English instructor Kosuke Tanaka praised him, saying:
“English with a Filipino accent has very unique intonation. For someone not very familiar with English, it can be difficult to distinguish differences in pronunciation and nuance, but Kojima’s speed of learning was truly remarkable.”

This marks his first time acting entirely in English, making the role a series of firsts—including action and language—while carrying an important character.

Alongside the casting announcement, Graniso’s character visual was also revealed. The image shows him playing billiards, yet constantly exuding a chilling “hitman mode.” With a powerful yet cold gaze and a quiet sense of madness, the visual leaves a strong impression. How Ken Kojima brings this ruthless assassin—who kills without hesitation—to life is one of the drama’s key draws.

The drama will be exclusively distributed on Hulu starting July 24 (5 episodes total).

Full Comments — Ken Kojima (as Graniso)

— How did you feel when you received the offer for this role?
Graniso is such an intense character that, honestly, I was just surprised the offer came to me at first haha. But as I learned more about the role, I realized I’d get to play a dark hero—a theme I personally resonate with—so I became really excited for filming.

— How did you approach portraying Graniso?
I first read the script to understand his personality. Then, since he’s a Filipino hitman with many defining traits, I studied how Filipino people speak—their mouth movements, expressions, and how to naturally convey a sense of fear through the eyes.

— What are your impressions of the story and its highlights?
Since it’s based on the original work, I think it’s a story you can’t take your eyes off for even a second. The realistic world filled with diverse characters, along with the powerful action scenes, are major highlights.

— What did you gain from the action training, and how did it help during filming?
I had zero experience with action before, so this was my first challenge. Sometimes movements would change on the day of filming, and I think the training really helped me adapt to those situations.

— What was your impression of Meisa Kuroki, who plays your opposing character Eiko Yagami?
We had many chances to train together, and even during practice her movements were incredibly fast—I had to do my best to keep up. After hearing she’d be starring, I reread the original work and felt that everything—from the lines to the movements—matched her perfectly. She’s also a very kind person, and she spoke to me casually even when the cameras weren’t rolling.

— A message to viewers?
I’m Ken Kojima from Ae! group. I usually work as an idol, but this time I’ll be playing Graniso, a Filipino hitman who speaks English and Tagalog. When you put it into words like that, it really is an incredible role haha. I was able to take on many new challenges, and I think this represents a new side of me. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful project, and I’d be happy if Graniso leaves a strong impression on viewers. Please look forward to Yagami Eiko. See you again!!