Human Specimens cast and characters: Here's who's bringing Prime Video's upcoming Japanese thriller to life

Prime Video is bringing a chilling new Japanese thriller to your screens called Human Specimens that will adapt Kanae Minato's novel for the streamer. The chilling story follows a professor Shiro Sakaki who is a butterfly researcher but is also responsible for the brutal consequences of turning six young boys into huamn specimens.

The series is brought by a talented ensemble of Japanese actors, known for their critically acclaimed work in the industry. Here's everything you need to know about the stars bringing Human Specimens to life and where you must have seen them before.

Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Professor Shirô Sakaki, the lead of Human Specimens

Hidetoshi Nishijima leads the film as Professor Shirô Sakaki, the butterfly researcher who creates human secimens out of young boys. It's a chilling role and Nishijima is no stranger to it, who is known for his work in science fiction films. He led the Oscar winning film Drive my Car and is known for his roles in films like Voices in the Wind and Dear Stranger.

Speaking about his role on Human Specimens and what mde him take it, the actor told GQ Japan,

"The fact that 'humans have been turned into specimens' creates a completely different view depending on the perspective, and in the end a truth that no one could have imagined emerges. I found this intriguing, and replied that I definitely wanted to participate. I jumped in because I thought it was a worthwhile challenge, but to be honest, it was quite difficult to actually play the role, as I had to deal with and express Shiro's conflict that goes beyond taboos."

Somegorô Ichikawa as Sakaki's son

Ichikawa plays Sakaki's son Sakaki Itaru on the show, who is one of the victims of his scientific experiment. Nishijima praised the young actor's work in the interview and said,

"No matter how hectic the set is, he remains focused. I felt he was a rare actor."

Ichikawa is known for his work in Kabuki, a theatrical art form in Japan and is widely considered to be a talented young actor in the country. He has previously worked on the dramas Kamakura dono no 13 nin and Tsuma wa Kunoichi as well as films like Onihei Hankacho: Ketto and The Legend & Butterfly.

Who else is starring in Human Specimens?

Apart from Hidetoshi Nishijima and Somegoro Ichikawa, the show features the following actors in undisclosed roles:

Ao Ito

Hiba Araki

Jutaro Yamanaka

Akiyo Kurosaki

Rei Matsumoto

Ikuho Akitani

Rie Miyazawa

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More details on Human Specimens are awaited for now. The show will premiere on Prime Video on December 19, 2025.

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