In April, it was announced that hit mobile phone novel "Akai Ito" is getting a combined drama and film adaptation later this year. Fuji TV has now revealed that the lead characters will be played by teen stars Nao Minamisawa and Junpei Mizobata.

The story was one of the best-selling novels of 2007, similar to the success of "Koizora." "Akai Ito" revolves around the "red thread of fate" connecting the young pair Mei (Minamisawa) and Atsushi (Mizobata) and the trials they face.

"Akai Ito" will have the same cast and staff working on both the big screen and small screen versions, and the two will be closely connected. The drama series will start in December, with the first two episodes laying the foundation of the story. Then the movie will pick up the plot when it opens on December 20, incorporating the novel's main storyline and adding original elements. After that, the drama will continue to develop and finish off the story.

The project's website indicates that the supporting cast includes Ryo Kimura, model and actress Rei Okamoto, Anna Ishibashi, Nanami Sakuraba, and Tomo Yanagishita.