Prime Video announced on the 21st that Saki Hiwatari's classic sci-fi shojo manga, "Please Save My Earth" (formerly known as "Earth Guardian Spirit"), will be adapted into a Prime Original Japanese drama. Alice Hirose is set to star as Mokuren, with a global release planned for Fall 2027.
"Please Save My Earth" was serialized in Hakusensha's "Hana to Yume" magazine from 1986 to 1994 and also received a six-episode OVA anime adaptation in the 90s. The series is a poignant and epic sci-fi romance about reincarnation, depicting the love and conflict among high school students swayed by memories of their past lives.
The third chapter of the series, "Boku wa Chikyuu to Utau" (also known as "I Sing with the Earth"), is currently being serialized in Hakusensha's "Melody" magazine. The entire series has sold over 16 million copies and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Affectionately known as "BokuChikyu," the series continues to be beloved by a wide fanbase. This timeless classic is finally transcending time and space to be presented to audiences as a live-action drama.
The story spans modern-day Tokyo and a distant moon base from the past. High school student Arisu Sakaguchi possesses a mysterious ability to communicate with plants. One day, she discovers that she and her classmates are all having the same "past life dream." In these dreams, they were once seven alien scientists living on a moon base, observing Earth from afar.
Meanwhile, Rin Kobayashi, an elementary school student living next door to Arisu, experiences an accident that awakens his past life's personality—that of someone who deeply loved Mokuren, a member of the moon base. The intense love and guilt from their past lives intertwine with new bonds forming in the present, ultimately bringing a shocking truth to light.
Starring in the drama is Alice Hirose, who will play Mokuren, a key character and member of the moon base crucial to the entire story. The series will be directed by Takahiro Miki, known for his work on films such as "My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday," "My Teacher," and "Even If This Love Disappears From the World Tonight." Miki is celebrated for his clear, delicate, and emotionally rich visual style.
Director Takahiro Miki expressed that this manga has long been a story he wished to adapt into a film. He hopes to honor the "passion" and "prayer" embedded within the original work while incorporating the visual beauty and emotion that only a live-action drama can deliver.
Author Saki Hiwatari also commented on the live-action adaptation:
"This is a work I created a very long time ago. I'm genuinely surprised that it's being adapted into a drama in this day and age, even as the original author. I spent a long time wondering how to express my feelings... but at least during the script phase, I was involved as a supervisor."
"As for the finished live-action product, I haven't seen it yet as of writing this comment, so I'm looking forward to it with the same 'heart-pounding' excitement as all the readers! Let's treat this as a grand celebration! Everyone, let's enjoy this festival together!"
Given the classic nature of the original work, especially its themes of time travel, a moon base, and past lives, adapting it into a live-action series certainly presents challenges. We'll be keeping an eye out for more official announcements to see how this ambitious project unfolds.