Cast
Yasuko Kuramitsu, Writer
Born and raised in Japan, Yasuko Kuramitsu is an award-winning screenwriter known for her range and depth. She won the prestigious Fuji TV Young Scenario Award in 2014, a distinction that has launched the careers of many top Japanese writers. She made her screenwriting debut the following year and has written for a wide variety of genres, including romance and medical drama. In 2021, she received the 9th Ichikawa Shinichi Screenwriting Award for an acclaimed original work. Yasuko also contributed to the hit Netflix series Alice in Borderland, with Season 3 set to release in 2025.
Hiro Matsunaga, Actor
Hiro Matsunaga was born and raised in Japan and later moved to the U.S. to study acting at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Los Angeles. His film credits include Survivors (featured on the Darkest Hour DVD by Fox Films) and Lil Tokyo Reporter. On stage, he has performed in Burai – Standing All Alone, a samurai sword-fighting play, and the world premiere of The Waiting Room. Hiro is honored to bring his passion and discipline to this samurai production.
Candice Mari Sakamoto, Actress
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Candice began her professional journey as a model before expanding into roles as a creative director, entertainment PR specialist, and film distributor. She also served as a publicist for Paramount Pictures Japan. After winning the Green Card lottery, she moved to the U.S. to pursue acting and joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2018. Her screen credits include Never Have I Ever, Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie, Boba Fett, Bullet Train, The Brothers Sun, and General Hospital.
Masa Kanome, Actor
Masa Kanome was born in Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan, and moved to Olympia, Washington at 17 to pursue a tennis career—despite speaking no English at the time. After years of intense training, he shifted focus to language and education, eventually graduating from college and continuing his journey at the University of Arizona. Now with over three decades in Hollywood, Masa is an actor, sword-fighting performer, and leader of Burai Productions. From swinging tennis rackets to samurai swords, Masa is proud to embody the spirit of the modern warrior.
Taishi Tamaki, Actor
Taishi Tamaki began his acting career in 2013 with a focus on stage performance in Japan. In 2015, he moved to Hollywood to expand his career and was cast on the popular Japanese reality show Terrace House: Aloha State. He continues to train and perform as both an actor and samurai sword-fighter with the Burai team. Taishi also shares his journey on his YouTube channel, where he offers acting tips and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his life in Hollywood.
Narisa Suzuki, Actress
Narisa Suzuki began performing as a child in Japan, training in both musical theater and opera. She moved to the U.S. as a teen to pursue a professional acting career. Her Hollywood debut came with a lead role in The Gunslingers (Lionsgate), followed by roles in films such as The Myth of the American Sleepover and Rideshare, which earned her Best Actress at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. Her television credits include Days of Our Lives (NBC) and Snowfall (FX/Hulu). She also appeared in Prisoners of the Ghostland (Sundance) and Snow White and the Seven Samurai on Apple TV.
Yuwi Kim, Actress
Yuwi Kim is an actress from Tokyo, Japan. She moved to the U.S. in 2013 with a background in dance and began her acting career in 2017. Since then, she has performed in a range of productions, from short films to full-length theatrical works. Yuwi continues to expand her creative voice as a dynamic performer in both live and filmed media.