Deadline has reported in an exclusive that Blumhouse Television has acquired rights to the Japanese-language novel Hi No Ko (Sparks) from author Shusuke Shizukui (Killing for the Prosecution, Bitter Blood) and published by Gentosha. For a U.S. television adaptation, Krystal Houghton Ziv (Rush Hour, The Purge) will write and executive produce the psychological thriller plot.
The novel, via Deadline, has prior been adapted into a Japanese television miniseries, having aired in 2016 as the first title to grace Fuji TV Network’s drama slot. It ran from April 2 through May 28, 2016 and took place over nine episodes.
From Deadline, a brief synopsis of the original novel:
“The original novel follows Takeuchi Shingo, a serial murder suspect whom retired judge Kajima Isao acquitted two years ago, who moves in next door to the home where Kajima and his family live. Takeuchi grew up starving for the affection of his parents and does everything he can for the people he likes. He has a charming smile, tasteful gifts, and cares for the elderly. However, he gets violent if people start to avoid him. He wins the hearts of the Kajimas with effusive goodwill, but a series of inexplicable incidents starts to occur in the area near their house. Yukimi, the wife of Isao’s son Toshir, realizes Takeuchi’s true nature and tries to expose him even though she is isolated from the family.”
This adaptation is one of many of author Shizukui’s books to be turned into viewing entertainment; Other novels with broadcast adaptations include Bitter Blood, Wish, and Closed Note. From his first debut in 200 with Eiko Itto, Shizukui has produced numerous bestselling works – Sparks (Hi No Ko) alone, via Deadline, has sold over 770,000 copies.
Listed by Deadline, the series credits executive producers as Mark Amin (The Apprentice, Emperor), Cami Winikoff (Good Kill, Stonehearst Asylum), and Dave Devries (Plus One, V/H/S/94) for Sobini Films, and Motoko Kimura (Hotel Concierge, Higanjima)