Yo Oizumi.

who is the star of the Japanese TV series a bit of espers

The lead actor of the Japanese TV series "Just a Bit Espers" (known in Japanese as Chotto Dake Esper) is Yo Oizumi.

The series premiered on TV Asahi in October 2025 and features a high-profile cast. It is a comedic sci-fi romance about a group of people who possess very minor, often inconvenient psychic powers.

Main Cast & Characters:

Yo Oizumi as Bunta: A down-on-his-luck salaryman who is recruited by a mysterious company and told he must help "save the world" with his new, slight ESP powers.

Aoi Miyazaki as Shiki: A mysterious woman who lives with Bunta and believes she is his wife.

Dean Fujioka as Osuke: A fellow "esper" with the eccentric power to make flowers bloom by stroking them.

Masaki Okada as Kizashi: The mysterious president of the company "Nonamare" who assigns the missions.

The show was written by the acclaimed screenwriter Akiko Nogi, who is famous for hits like Unnatural and MIU404.

Note on a similar title: If you are thinking of an older series with a similar premise (teenagers with psychic powers), you might be looking for "All Esper Dayo!" (Minna! Esper Dayo!), which stars Shota Sometani. However, "Just a Bit Espers" is the major 2025 production.

Would you like more details on where to watch this series or perhaps a list of other popular shows written by Akiko Nogi?

Yo Oizumi notable roles?

Yo Oizumi is a highly prolific Japanese actor, comedian, and voice actor who first gained widespread popularity through the variety series How Do You Like Wednesday? (Suiyo Dodesho).

He is known for his versatility, moving between comedic, dramatic, and voice-acting roles.

Notable Live-Action Roles

Hwang Jun-ho in Just a Bit Espers (2025): Bunta, a salaryman with minor psychic powers.

Minamoto no Yoritomo in The 13 Lords of the Shogun (2022): A central historical figure in this prestigious Taiga drama.

The Detective in Phone Call to the Bar (2011) and its sequels: A role for which he received multiple Japan Academy Film Prize nominations.

Hideo Suzuki in I Am a Hero (2016): The lead in a critically acclaimed live-action adaptation of the zombie manga.

Senzaburō Fukami in Asakusa Kid (2021): A Netflix film where he played the mentor to legendary comedian Takeshi Kitano.

Hayato Kimishima in No Side Manager (2019): A salaryman tasked with reviving a failing corporate rugby team.

Notable Voice Acting Roles

Oizumi has frequently collaborated with Studio Ghibli and provided the Japanese voice for several iconic characters:

Professor Layton in the Professor Layton video game series and film.

Prince Turnip (Turnip Head) in Howl's Moving Castle.

Bandai Gaeru in Spirited Away.

Tatara in The Boy and the Beast.

Awards and Recognition

He is a multiple-time nominee and winner at the Japan Academy Film Prize, notably winning Best Actor at the 58th Blue Ribbon Awards for his performance in Kakekomi (2015).

Would you like more information on his work with the theatrical group TEAM NACS or perhaps a list of his upcoming 2026 projects?

what shows with Yo Oizumi are currently steaming on Netflix in the United States?

As of January 2026, several of Yo Oizumi’s projects are available to stream on Netflix in the United States. He has a strong relationship with the platform, particularly through his involvement in Netflix Original productions.

1. Just a Bit Espers (2025)

This is his most recent high-profile series on the platform.

Role: Bunta (Lead)

Premise: A comedic sci-fi drama about a down-on-his-luck salaryman who discovers he has very minor, borderline useless psychic powers and is tasked with saving the world.

2. Asakusa Kid (2021)

This is a Netflix Original film and one of his most critically acclaimed dramatic performances.

Role: Senzaburō Fukami

Premise: A biographical film based on the memoir of the legendary Japanese comedian and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. Oizumi plays Kitano’s mentor, a famous comedian in the Asakusa district of Tokyo who refuses to adapt to the rising popularity of television.

3. Love in May 2020 (2020/2022)

Added to US Netflix in 2022, this is a more intimate, experimental project.

Role: Moto

Premise: A series of remote-filmed conversations between a divorced couple who accidentally reconnect via a phone call during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a great showcase for his naturalistic acting style.

4. Studio Ghibli Films (Voice Acting)

While Oizumi is not the physical "star" of these, his voice is iconic in the original Japanese versions of several Ghibli classics available on Netflix (though in the US, you may need to check if the licensing is currently with Max or Netflix, as it often fluctuates):

Howl's Moving Castle: Prince Turnip (Turnip Head)

Spirited Away: Bandai Gaeru (The Foreman)

Coming Soon:

Muromachi Outsiders: A new historical film starring Yo Oizumi alongside Kento Nagao is scheduled for a Netflix release in early 2026.

Would you like me to find the specific release date for Muromachi Outsiders or provide more details on his role in Asakusa Kid?

isn't he also in that show about the temp?

Yes, you're exactly right! That show is called "The Pride of the Temp" (Japanese title: Haken no Hinkaku).

In that series, Yo Oizumi plays Takeshi Shoji, a permanent employee who is constantly at odds with the "super-temp" protagonist, Haruko Omae. He famously calls her "Haken" (the Japanese word for temporary worker) as a sort of nickname/insult, and their bickering relationship is one of the highlights of the show.

Availability on Netflix (US)

As of January 2026, "The Pride of the Temp" has recently been made available to stream on Netflix in the United States:

Season 1 (2007): This is the original classic season where Yo Oizumi’s character first develops his rivalry/romance with the lead.

Season 2 (2020): Oizumi returns for this revival season, though his character is initially working at a different branch before reuniting with the main cast.

Why the show is a fan favorite:

It’s a "workplace comedy" that became a massive hit because it addressed the rigid social hierarchy in Japanese offices between permanent "salarymen" and temporary staff. Oizumi’s performance is particularly loved because he manages to make a character who could be quite annoying very charming and funny.

Would you like me to check if any of his other classic workplace dramas, like "No Side Manager", are also available on Netflix or other platforms?

yes

Yes, he is! That show is called "The Pride of the Temp" (Japanese title: Haken no Hinkaku).

As of January 2026, it is available on Netflix in the US, along with a few of his other popular workplace-themed projects. Here is the breakdown:

1. The Pride of the Temp (Haken no Hinkaku)

His Role: Takeshi Shoji, a permanent employee who is loud, prideful, and constantly fighting with the "Super Temp" protagonist.

The Vibe: A classic office comedy. Oizumi is famous for his curly hair and his constant bickering with the lead actress, Ryoko Shinohara. It’s the role that really cemented him as a top-tier TV star.

Availability: Both the original Season 1 (2007) and the revival Season 2 (2020) were recently added to Netflix globally.

2. No Side Manager (No Side Game)

His Role: Hayato Kimishima (The Lead).

The Vibe: A high-stakes corporate/sports drama. He plays a successful salaryman who gets demoted to a factory manager position. To get back to the top, he has to take over the company's struggling, money-losing rugby team and turn them into champions.

Availability: Currently streaming on Netflix and also available via Apple TV.

3. Asakusa Kid (2021)

His Role: Senzaburo Fukami.

The Vibe: While it's a movie rather than a show, it’s set in the "workplace" of 1960s French-style strip clubs and theaters. Oizumi plays a legendary comedy mentor. It’s a Netflix Original and arguably one of his best performances.

Quick Tip: If you like his "grumpy but lovable" office energy, "The Pride of the Temp" is definitely the one to start with. His chemistry with the rest of the cast is what made it a massive hit in Japan.

Would you like me to look for any other specific Japanese workplace dramas, or perhaps more info on his new sci-fi show Just a Bit Espers?