Kokumin Quiz: Netflix Announces Date and Reveals New Teaser

The live-action series "Kokumin Quiz" premieres worldwide on Netflix on December 17, 2026. All eight episodes of the manga adaptation will be released in full on that day; at the same time, Netflix is showing a new teaser and announcing 16 additional cast members.

The basis is the manga by Reiichi Sugimoto and Shinkichi Kato, published in 1993. The story takes place in a parallel Japan in which the television show "Kokumin Quiz" has become the highest state authority. Whoever wins the quiz can have virtually any wish granted by the government; contestants who are eliminated, by contrast, face forced labor.

Takayuki Yamada plays the famous host K-I K-I, who keeps whipping up the audience. According to Netflix, the order of the system begins to waver when an organization seeking the collapse of "Kokumin Quiz" makes contact with him.

New Roles in the Teaser

Among the newly confirmed cast members are Riko Ishida as the unknown Mari, Kana Kurashina as her mother Ayako, and Koji Seto as activist Seiji Minamihara. Masahiro Takashima plays the leader of the Murakoshi penal unit, Eiko Koike plays producer Shoko Kamijo, and Renji Ishibashi plays Japanese Prime Minister Takeshi Gokumazawa. In total, Netflix names 16 new cast members; according to the service, around 8,000 extras were used for the mass scenes.

The series is directed by Teruyuki Yoshida, who co-writes the screenplay with Maggy. The music comes from Yasunori Nishiki, production and planning are handled by THE SEVEN, and Netflix is producing the series.

"Kokumin Quiz" thus joins a range of new source-material adaptations for streaming and television. Aninew has also recently reported on the new Netflix and SEGA adaptations and on "August 31st Long Summer", whose manga is simultaneously receiving a TV drama adaptation.