The popular Chinese anime series Link Click is making the jump to live-action, and fans now know exactly when they can watch it. Japanese broadcasters Tokai TV and Fuji TV have set an April 11 premiere date for the live-action drama, confirming that the ten-episode series will bring the time-bending story of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang to real-life actors for the first time .
The announcement marks a significant moment for the franchise, which began as a Chinese donghua (animation) in 2021 and has grown into one of the most internationally recognized animated series from China . This live-action version represents a collaboration between Japanese television networks and the original Chinese streaming platform bilibili, making it a true cross-border production .
The Cast Bringing Time Photo Studio to Life
Taiki Sato will step into the role of Cheng Xiaoshi, the impulsive young man who can jump into photographs and experience the past through the perspective of the person in the picture. Kanata Hongo takes on the role of Lu Guang, the calm and calculating partner who stays in the present to guide Cheng Xiaoshi through each mission and ensure he follows the rules .
The casting choices have generated considerable discussion among fans of the animated series. Kanata Hongo brings experience from major productions including his role in Attack on Titan live-action films, while Taiki Sato has built a following through various Japanese television dramas.
The live-action adaptation runs for ten episodes, airing weekly in a Saturday late-night timeslot on Tokai TV before becoming available on Fuji TV’s streaming platforms FOD and TVer . The series will conclude its run on June 13, giving viewers two months to follow the complete story .
Creative Team Behind the Adaptation
Hiroaki Yuasa, known for directing the live-action version of Play It Cool, Guys, takes on directing duties for this ambitious adaptation . The writing team brings significant anime credentials to the project. Atsuhiro Tomioka, who worked on One Piece: Stampede, handles series composition and scripts, with Harumi Doki contributing additional scripts .
Tatsuhiko Saiki composes the music for the drama, creating an original soundtrack that will need to capture the emotional depth and tension that made the animated version so compelling .
The production brings together Tokai TV, Fuji TV, and Chinese streaming platform bilibili as co-producers. This marks Fuji TV’s first internationally co-produced terrestrial drama series, representing what the network describes as “an extremely important element of Fuji TV’s future global strategy” according to Shintaro Tanaka, head of global business development at Fuji TV .
What the Live-Action Series Will Cover
The story follows Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who run a small photography shop called “Time Photo Studio” alongside their friend Qiao Ling. Their ordinary business hides an extraordinary secret. Cheng Xiaoshi possesses the ability to jump into photographs, experiencing the moments captured in the image through the body of the photographer. Lu Guang can see twelve hours into the future of any photo, allowing him to guide his partner from the present .
Clients hire them to uncover hidden truths or fix past regrets, but strict rules govern their power. They cannot change major events, and every alteration to the past carries consequences that can spiral unexpectedly. The original donghua built its reputation on emotionally charged episodic stories that gradually revealed a larger mystery connecting the characters’ own pasts .
The live-action series will likely adapt storylines from the first season of the anime, introducing international audiences to the characters in a new format. The production has been in development for two years, following a strategic partnership between Fuji TV and bilibili established in 2023 to create series based on each company’s intellectual property .
The Original Donghua’s Continued Success
Link Click first premiered in April 2021 as an original Chinese animated web series created by director Li Haoling and produced by Studio LAN . The series immediately stood out for its unique premise and emotional storytelling, moving away from the action-focused fantasy that dominates much of the animation landscape.
Unlike many Chinese animated series that struggle to find international audiences, Link Click broke through cultural barriers through its universal themes of friendship, regret, and the desire to fix past mistakes. The show’s accessibility improved when Crunchyroll began streaming the series with multiple language options, including an English dub that opened it up to viewers who typically watch Japanese anime .
The series became what one media analyst described as being “at the forefront of bringing Chinese animation to the masses,” proving that donghua could tell “complex, emotionally poignant stories rich in both meaning and thrills” comparable to the best anime .
Upcoming Animated Projects in 2026
The live-action drama arrives during a busy year for the franchise. A Japanese dub of the Bridon Arc, the six-episode prequel that released in late 2024, will broadcast sometime in 2026 . The Japanese voice cast includes Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Cheng Xiaoshi, Takahiro Sakurai as Lu Guang, Aoi Koga as Qiao Ling, and Natsuki Hanae as Liu Xiao, continuing the series’ tradition of high-quality voice talent .
Most significantly, Link Click Season 3 is currently in production, with Part One scheduled for October 2026 . The new season will run for 24 episodes total, with Part One releasing in October and Part Two expected in 2027 .
The third season picks up after the events of the Bridon Arc, with the disappearance of Xia Fei disturbing the peace at Time Photo Studio. A new character named Jae Lee, a detective from Yingdu, arrives in Guidu to investigate an unexplained massacre, promising more of the mystery-thriller elements that have defined the series’ later episodes .
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A Growing Global Franchise
The live-action adaptation represents a significant vote of confidence in Link Click’s worldwide appeal. Japanese networks typically do not invest in live-action versions of foreign animated properties unless they see substantial market potential. The fact that Fuji TV made this its first international co-production speaks to how the donghua has resonated with Japanese audiences since its dubbed version aired there in 2023 .
For fans who discovered Link Click through streaming platforms, the live-action drama offers a new way to experience the story. The casting of popular Japanese actors also introduces the franchise to viewers who may not typically watch animated content but recognize the performers.
The ten-episode format suggests a focused adaptation rather than an attempt to stretch the story beyond its natural length. With director Hiroaki Yuasa at the helm and writers experienced in anime adaptations, the creative team faces the challenge of translating the visual language of animation—particularly the distinctive way the series depicts time travel through photographs—into live-action form.
The original Link Click built its following through word-of-mouth recommendations, with viewers praising its ability to deliver genuine emotional impact within tight 20-minute episodes. The live-action version now has the opportunity to bring that same emotional core to an even broader audience when it debuts this April.
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