Asia’s top creators unite for a bold new adaptation of the drama phenomenon, to stream exclusively on FOD
Fuji Television Network, Inc. (“Fuji TV”) has announced the production of a Japanese remake of the hit Thai drama Girl From Nowhere originally aired by Thailand’s GMM25. The series will stream exclusively on FOD starting Friday, April 24.
Season 1 of Girl From Nowhere first aired in 2018 on Thailand’s terrestrial broadcaster GMM25, where it became a major hit. The series was later distributed internationally on Netflix, introducing the show to audiences around the world. The second season, produced in 2021, was also released globally on Netflix and went on to achieve explosive worldwide popularity. The latest installment, Girl From Nowhere: The Reset, is airing and streaming on Channel ONE HD 31, the oneD streaming platform, and Netflix.
（C）GMM Grammy PCL /フジテレビFor this Japanese remake, four of Asia’s acclaimed directors will come together: Yukihiko Tsutsumi, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, Yoo Youngseon, and Miyuki Hatanaka. The six-episode series will be presented in an omnibus format, with each directing individual episodes. The mysterious protagonist Nanno, whose unique presence drives the story, will be portrayed by Arisa Nakajima, who makes her acting debut in this production.
（C）GMM Grammy PCL /フジテレビAs Fuji TV continues its transformation into a truly global content company, the broadcaster has made clear its commitment to expanding distribution in international markets and strengthening collaborations with external partners.
This collaboration with Thailand’s GMM Studios International marks a groundbreaking initiative: the first overseas remake of a globally acclaimed IP, jointly produced with the original rights holders and directed by some of Asia’s most renowned creators. Further developments in Fuji TV’s global business initiatives will be announced in the future.
Comments
■Original Story: Ekachai Uekrongtham, Chief Content Officer and Managing Director, GMM Studios International (Thailand)
“We’re thrilled to launch the Girl From Nowhere franchise outside Thailand for the first time in a key market like Japan, in partnership with Fuji Television and GMM Studios International. This first-ever international remake welcomes a new Nanno, brought to life by revered and bold Asian directors, into our ever-growing story multiverse —as part of GMM Studios International’s broader strategy to grow the series into a global IP and drive multi-platform transmedia expansion.”
■Director: Yukihiko Tsutsumi
“It is truly an honor to have been entrusted with directing Episode 1 of the Japanese adaptation of the globally renowned series Girl From Nowhere. Working with such an international and diverse team of staff, I greatly enjoyed returning to the fundamentals of directing while filming at full throttle — embracing the mysterious premise, the dark character portrayals, and the fast-paced yet pop-style storytelling. Above all, Arisa Nakajima’s embodiment of Nanno is remarkable and truly deserves special mention. I hope audiences will enjoy it.”
■Director: Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
“While the original version dealt with very heavy and intense subject matter, the fact that it was set in a more unfamiliar setting gave it a kind of abstract, fantastical appeal. However, when remaking it with Japan as the setting, things become different. When such intense themes unfold within familiar landscapes, they inevitably feel more visceral, that can risk making viewers feel uncomfortable or repulsed more than necessary. In this context, Arisa Nakajima became a character with an elusive presence. Her role possesses a somewhat intangible quality, and that sense of unreality helps elevate the story back into the realm of fantasy.”
■Script/Director: Yoo Youngseon
“Girl From Nowhere is a character with a unique charm that strongly stimulates a creator’s curiosity. The process of shaping her world was an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience. As I worked on the direction, I constantly imagined how Nanno would blend into the setting of Japan and what kind of fresh sensations she could bring to audiences. I am deeply grateful to the cast and crew, whose passion and sincerity helped us pursue a truly satisfying work. Arisa Nakajima, who plays Nanno, is an actress capable of naturally expressing both light and darkness, good and evil, within her pure image. Her dedication to fully immersing herself in the role left a strong impression on me. In this series, her world becomes a beautiful yet terrifying ‘hellscape of desire,’ and I was particularly conscious of capturing the irresistible, devilish smile that defines her presence. I hope audiences will fully enjoy this sense of pleasure tinged with guilt — a true ‘guilty pleasure.’”
■Script/Director: Miyuki Hatanaka
“One of the unique charms of Girl From Nowhere is that each episode is directed by a different filmmaker, allowing viewers to experience many different sides of Nanno. Among them, the episode which poses the question ‘what are you looking for?’ in the Japanese title, introduces the only person Nanno truly opens her heart to. In this story, audiences will catch a glimpse of a different side of her than in the other episodes. I hope viewers will enjoy this bittersweet and charming version of Nanno that may make your heart flutter. We also paid particular attention to the visual aesthetics. To express the distortions and imperfections of the characters, we chose Tiffany blue as the thematic color. Arisa Nakajima, who plays Nanno, has an incredible ability to adapt. Through her own unique lens, she has created a very distinctive interpretation of Nanno on screen. I truly hope audiences will enjoy it.”
■Official Website: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/nanno/