Apparently based on real-world events in which a Japanese school was sued by a pupil after it banned romantic liaisons between students, “Chastity High” is poised to be Netflix’s first young adult series from Japan.
The series, which premiers on Aug. 29, takes a glimpse into a world where a prestigious high school bans dating between students and chaos follows. Some students rebel against the school rules, while others expose one another.
Produced by Robot Communications, the series follows two students, portrayed by Mikami Ai (“Yu Yu Hakusho,” “Undead Lovers”) and Miyase Ryubi (Lovesick Ellie,” “Kururi Who’s in Love with Me”).
One is a so-called Love Keeper, who uses her wits to secretly help other students caught violating the no-dating rule. She makes money in the process, helping her hard-working single mother pay for her tuition. The other, the son of a governor, seeks to escape his abusive father and sees the love keeper’s mission as a means to earn the money he needs. Eventually, their partnership evolves into a romance that (of course) defies the school’s policies.
Netflix claims that the script incorporates extensive research into Generation Z’s perspectives on romance, modern youth culture, and their evolving attitudes towards love and relationships.
“Chastity High” follows other popular YA-themed series produced in the APAC region, including Korea’s “Hierarchy,” which hit the streamer’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) lists in 72 countries, and Australia’s “Heartbreak High,” which was recently renewed for a third and final season.
Watch the trailer for “Chastity High” here.