Welcome to the Liar Game, a Contest of Risk and Reward

Nao Kanzaki is honest to a fault. She’ll go so far as to deliver a simple yen coin she found on the street to a police box. Whether by fate or conspiracy, Nao enters a dark and sinister game where participants must lie and manipulate their way to victory. Nao will need to rely on her honesty to find allies and avoid shouldering an incredible debt. We’ll see what becomes of her when Liar Game premieres sometime in April 2026.

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Shinobu Kaitani released the original Liar Game manga series from February 17th, 2005, to January 22nd, 2015. Shueisha has since published all nineteen volumes in Weekly Young Jump. The live-action adaptation premiered on April 14th, 2007.

Liar Game Cast

Two of the leading participants are as follows:

Nao Kanzaki — Saya Hitomi (Mai from Uma Musume: Pretty Derby – Shin Jidai no Tobira). Nao is a too-honest college student.
Shinichi Akiyama — Takeo Otsuka (Aquamarine Hoshino from Oshi no Ko). Shinichi is an ex-convict who used his keen intellect to destroy the multi-level marketing scheme that drove his mother to suicide.

Studio Madhouse has maintained a home page and a Twitter (X) page to promote Liar Game. You can find more information about the series and the key visuals over there.

Liar Game Begins the Deceptive Challenge

Nao Kanzaki thoroughly believes that honesty is the best policy. Her beliefs are so strong that even the police believe she’s too honest. A shadowy organization invites her to participate in the Liar Game. It’s a contest of skill and deception where she can win millions of yen. Nao has no real interest in it, but she feels compelled to compete. Her first opponent happens to be a college professor whom she always admired. Surely he would never betray her for ¥100 million.

Well, it turns out that he was perfectly capable of stealing her ¥100 million. A lawyer suggests that Nao find a con artist to help her win the game. The notorious Shinichi Akiyama just so happened to be released from prison that day. He single-handedly tore down a major company using his quick wits and knowledge of human psychology. Nao approaches him to help her win the game and leave the shadowy world of deceit behind. Her pure honesty convinces him to join her.

Will you brave the rain showers when you watch the premiere of Liar Game in April? Have you ever tricked someone? Would you let Nao or Akiyama fool you? Let us know in the comments below.

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