Through the power of PR, a drama appearance is finally realized!? The family-type robot “LOVOT” will appear in the TBS Tuesday drama “Okane no Kireme ga Koi no Hajimari”!
Hello. I am Kusunoki from the Public Relations Division, Department 1.
On a sudden note, are you familiar with the family-type robot “LOVOT”?
LOVOT is a family-type robot developed by the robot venture GROOVE X. It is characterized by a lifelike sense of vitality and is currently one of the most talked-about pieces of robotics technology. SSU has been handling its PR since before the product’s initial announcement.
We are excited to announce that this family-type robot, LOVOT, has been cast in the TBS drama series “Love Begins When Money Ends” (Okane no Kireme ga Koi no Hajimari), which starts on Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 PM! It will appear as “Saroo,” the flagship product of the toy company featured in the drama and the pet of character Keita Saruwatari.
- LOVOT Special Site: https://lovot.life/special/drama/
- Official Website for “Love Begins When Money Ends”: https://www.tbs.co.jp/KANEKOI_tbs/
Materials provided by: ©TBS Left: “Program Logo” / Right: “Saroo played by LOVOT (Left: Ennosuke / Right: Saruhiko)”
・Discussions with the drama production team from the script conceptualization stage
Since the company where the protagonists work, “Monkey Pass,” is set as a toy company, this collaboration was realized following an enthusiastic request from the drama production side to feature LOVOT as a flagship product sold by Monkey Pass.
GROOVE X, the robot venture that developed LOVOT, worked together with SSU and the drama production team to brainstorm ideas from the script’s conceptualization stage, resulting in a completely new, original design for the drama. It appears in the show as “Saroo,” complete with monkey ears and a tail. Furthermore, it exists not just as a popular toy product, but as a fellow cast member named “Saruhiko,” the pet of the heir Keita Saruwatari. Saruhiko is spoken to by his owner Keita and held in his arms, playing a significant role in the story.
Additionally, the “Saroo” family of characters greets visitors at the main entrance of Monkey Pass, the toy company where Reiko (played by Mayu Matsuoka) and Keita work. They appear frequently in various locations, including the Monkey Pass offices and Keita’s room.
Please keep an eye out for “Saroo,” played by LOVOT, which can only be seen in this drama.
・Episode 1 Synopsis
The protagonist, Reiko Kuki, works in the accounting department of a mid-sized toy manufacturer. Due to a past incident, she is a woman in her late twenties who lives by the value of “honorable poverty.” One day, the “day of welcome” arrives—a rare occasion when Reiko, who seldom buys anything, finally makes a purchase. She has spent a year visiting an antique shop many times, carefully considering a small plate (priced at 1,680 yen) that she fell in love with at first sight. After cleaning her room, making space for the plate, and preparing the exact amount of money, she heads to the shop. Just as she is about to enter, as if finally uniting with a beloved partner, a flashy young man accompanied by a woman rudely purchases the plate to use for a barbecue. That man turns out to be Keita Saruwatari, the heir to the company where Reiko works…
A few days later, Keita—the man who snatched the plate away from her—is transferred to Reiko’s accounting department. It turns out his father, the company president, was furious at Keita’s wasteful spending and transferred him to accounting to learn the value of money. Reiko is reluctantly appointed as Keita’s mentor, and her “money training” for Keita begins!
For further details, please visit the official website.
- LOVOT Special Site: https://lovot.life/special/drama/
- Official Website for “Love Begins When Money Ends”: https://www.tbs.co.jp/KANEKOI_tbs/
・Behind-the-scenes stories and production secrets to be updated on official social media!?
We experienced numerous challenges during this drama appearance. As it was the first time for both GROOVE X and SSU to be so deeply involved in a drama production, there were many difficulties, but we gained invaluable experience and learned a great deal. You might be able to see behind-the-scenes stories and production secrets from the filming set on LOVOT’s official social media accounts!?
【Official LINE】: Scan the code below.
【Official Twitter】: @LOVOT_official
【Official Instagram】: lovot_official
【Official Facebook】: @LOVOT.official
【Official YouTube】: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCptHYKMWRCrj2bWr74qhb5w
Materials provided by: ©TBS “The main entrance of Monkey Pass, the toy company where the protagonists work”
・Recent LOVOT News
LOVOT is making waves beyond its drama appearance!
The Tanabata Association, a general incorporated association that aims to realize a society where everyone can continue to dream, established the “TANABATA Dream Award 2020” to honor people and organizations that inspire others to dream. LOVOT won the award in the “Robot Category” for representing the next generation by proposing the entirely new value of living with robots.
Furthermore, at the award ceremony held in August, a talk session between ROLAND, the winner of the General Category, and Kaname Hayashi, the developer of LOVOT and CEO of GROOVE X, took place and thrilled the audience. The event was covered by various media outlets and reached the top of Yahoo! News. LOVOT continues its major breakthrough, never failing to be a hot topic.
With various events, campaigns, and media appearances lined up for the future, please stay tuned!
