Hayato Kawai - Japanese Film and Television Director

Hayato Kawai (Japanese: 河合勇人) is a Japanese director known for his extensive work across both feature films and television drama series.

Career and Filmography

Hayato Kawai began his career in the industry working as an assistant director, including on the production Hana (2002). Over subsequent decades, he transitioned into a main director role, directing numerous feature films and television series adapted from manga, novels, and original screenplays.

Selected Film Direction

Flower Shadow | Hanakage (2008)
Suzuki Sensei (2013)
My Love Story!! | Ore Monogatari!! (2015)
Let's Go, Jets! | Chia Dan ~Joshi Kosei ga Chia Dansu de Zenbei Seiha Shichatta Honto no Hanashi~ (2017)
My Brother Loves Me Too Much | Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu (2017)
Nisekoi: False Love | Nisekoi (2018)
Prince of Legend (2019)
Love Stoppage Time | Hatsukoi Loss Time (2019)
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War | Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensaitachi no Renai Zunosen (2019)
Kizoku Korin: Prince of Legend (2020)
First Gentleman | Sori no Otto (2021)
Machi no Tom & Soya (2021)
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Final | Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensaitachi no Renai Zunosen Final (2021)
Secret: A Hidden Score | Ienai Himitsu (2024)
Migawari Mission | Migawari Chushingura (2024)

Selected Television Drama Direction

Mr. Yamanouchi - The 87-year-old teacher | Ojiisan sensei (NTV / 2007)
Suzuki Sensei (TV Tokyo / 2011)
Suugaku Joshi Gakuen (NTV / 2012)
Sprout | Supurauto (NTV / 2012)
Piece (NTV / 2012)
Shinryochu In The Room (NTV / 2013)
Pin to Kona (TBS / 2013)
Hard Nut | Hado Nattsu (NHK / 2013)
Tokusou (WOWOW / 2014)
Close Range Love: Season Zero | Kinkyori Renai ~ Season Zero ~ (NTV / 2014)
My Capsule Toy Brothers | Oniichan, Gacha (NTV / 2015)
Please Love Me! | Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai (TBS / 2016)
Thrill!: The Red Chapter | Aka no Sho (NHK / 2017)
Thrill!: The Black Chapter | Kuro no Sho (NHK / 2017)
Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu (NTV / 2017)
My Lover's Secret | Aishite tatte, Himitsu wa Aru (NTV / 2017)
Haru ga Kita (WOWOW / 2018)
Prince of Legend (NTV / 2018)
Alibi Breaker | Alibi Kuzushi Uketamawarimasu (TV Asahi / 2020)
10 Count to the Future | Mirai e no 10 Count (TV Asahi / 2022)
Gannibal (Disney+ / 2022)
Tax Solver | Zeicho: Haraenai ni wa Wake ga Aru (NTV / 2023)
Land of Tanabata | Tanabata no Kuni (Disney+ / 2024)
Ensemble (NTV / 2025)
Kimi ga Shikei ni Naru Mae ni (NTV-YTV / 2026)