22-year-old Taiki Nakabayashi, the amateur actor selected to play Godai in TV Asahi's "Maison Ikkoku" drama special, has finally been signed to a major agency and cast in a new role.

According to an arrangement with TV Asahi, Nakabayashi was not allowed to sign with an agency until after "Maison Ikkoku" was aired in May. Since then, several firms have been competing to pick him up. It has now been decided that he will be part of major player Stardust Promotion.

Nakabayashi's next role is in TV Asahi's drama remake of the novel "Hanochi," which was announced last month. Kippei Shiina is playing the main character, while Nakabayashi plays a ramen shop employee who holds the key to the story's mystery.