The game to end all games is soon upon us. The honest to a fault, Nao Kanzaki, enters a game where only liars can win. She doesn’t pay it much mind until management informs her that she’s losing, and that she’s on the hook for ¥100 million (roughly $628,409.10). Nao finds one of the best con artists to help her escape the game. We’ll see how she fares against the nefarious competition when Liar Game premieres on April 6th, 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 and a member of management 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.
- Leronira — Kazuhiro Nakaya (Kazuhiko Itano from Oshi no Ko). Leronira is a prolific dealer for the series’ competition.
Studio Madhouse maintains 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.
The Liar Game Begins
A mysterious organization drafts Nao Kanzaki into their new competition. Their game demands that people lie and cheat one another to get ahead. No underhanded tactic — except violence — is off the table. Nao isn’t cut out for a game where lying is the only way to win; she’s too honest. She’ll bring a single ¥100 coin to the police station so they can find the person who dropped it. Her only hope lies with Shinichi Akiyama, a world-class con artist who tore down a company to avenge his mother.
The new trailer digs deeper into the first large group game. This would be Nao and Akiyama’s second game. The trailer shows tiny bits of the first game, where Nao is set against her old school teacher to keep a large briefcase of money. We’re also introduced to Leronira, a management dealer who appears in numerous games throughout the series. Our cast has appeared. Let the games begin.
Will you ignore the rain showers when you’re safe inside and watching the premiere of Liar Game in April? Do you like psychological game series? Would you ever risk it all to win hundreds of millions of yen? Let us know in the comments below.
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It’s a very special time for us at J-List, because 30 years ago this week, we started the first anime and hentai shop selling to fans around the world. And we’ve been able to make it this far thanks to our wonderful customers. We’re celebrating with a huge 20% sale on all in-stock Japan products, through October 7th. Start browsing now!
