S&X Netflix Cast, Characters and Manga Adaptation Guide

S&X (Original title: S to X) is a Japanese Netflix drama premiering August 20, 2026, with Kento Nakajima starring as Ichito Shimotori, a sex therapist who counsels people dealing with intimate problems while carrying unresolved pain of his own. The series adapts Kisei Tada’s Kodansha manga and is being presented as a grounded adult drama rather than a sensational treatment of sexuality. Manga-to-screen readers may also want our Agent Kim Reactivated webtoon guide.

Netflix’s official press material names Yuko Araki as the woman who reunites with Shimotori and places their connection at the emotional center of the story. The broader ensemble includes Ryota Miura, Sawako Fujima, Aoi Nakamura, Rinka Kumada, Sayaka Yamaguchi, Yūsuke Santamaria and Shiro Sano. For another current Netflix character guide, see The Map of Longing cast guide.

Kento Nakajima plays Ichito Shimotori

Kento Nakajima plays Ichito Shimotori, a therapist whose work involves subjects many patients struggle to discuss openly, including sexless relationships, erectile dysfunction, sex addiction and sexual trauma. Netflix emphasizes that he approaches patients sincerely despite prejudice around his profession. That character-first focus is a useful contrast to more plot-driven adaptation coverage such as Agent Kim Reactivated cast.

Yuko Araki leads the emotional reunion storyline

Yuko Araki plays the woman who crosses paths with Shimotori again in what Netflix calls a fateful reunion. Pre-release material intentionally leaves some details around their history unrevealed, so this guide avoids overstating their relationship before viewers see the series. Readers who like complicated adult relationship dramas can continue with our Desire Netflix cast guide.

What manga is S&X based on?

The series is based on S&X: The Confession of Therapist Ichito Shimotori, a manga serialized by Kodansha in Morning. Netflix’s English announcement contains an inconsistent romanization in one sentence, but its own credits identify the manga creator as Kisei Tada. For another adaptation explainer where the source material matters, see Agent Kim Reactivated and its webtoon.

How closely will Netflix’s S&X follow the manga?

Netflix has confirmed the manga basis and the clinic-centered premise, but it has not published a chapter-by-chapter adaptation map. The safest expectation is that the show will preserve Shimotori’s counseling work and emotional conflicts while shaping the material for a television drama. After release, this section can compare specific story arcs without spoiling readers unnecessarily. Our Obsession cast, plot and ending guide shows the kind of post-release structure that can be added later.

Who is making S&X?

Shogo Kusano directs the series, with Tomoko Yoshida credited for series composition and writing alongside Kusano, Ruriko Matushima and Takumi Baba. Netflix describes the creative goal as treating sexuality as connected to relationships, love and self-worth. For viewers seeking another recent Netflix ensemble with a strong character angle, our KPop Demon Hunters cast and characters guide is also available.

When does S&X come out on Netflix?

S&X premieres on Netflix on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Netflix has not used the pre-release announcement to reveal the ending, so this article should remain a cast-and-adaptation guide until the episodes are available. More Netflix cast coverage can be found in our Desire Netflix cast page.

What kind of series is S&X?

Netflix describes S&X as an adult drama about work, love, sexuality and self-worth, not simply a provocative show built around explicit subjects. Shimotori’s patients bring problems they find difficult to discuss elsewhere, while his own unresolved pain prevents the therapist from being written as an all-knowing observer. That balance is important for positioning the article: the strongest search angle is “cast + characters + manga adaptation,” not sensational clickbait. Readers interested in another relationship-centered Netflix title can continue to Desire Netflix Cast.

How Netflix is framing the therapy scenes

The official synopsis names sexless relationships, erectile dysfunction, sex addiction and sexual trauma among the issues Shimotori encounters. Netflix says he responds with sincerity even when the profession attracts jokes or prejudice. Because those are sensitive subjects, the article should summarize the themes without turning patient experiences into punchlines or unsupported medical advice. For another Netflix drama where intimacy and obsession are major themes, see Obsession Netflix Series Cast Plot Ending Explained Review.

A note on the manga creator credit

Netflix’s English press release contains an unusual inconsistency: one sentence spells the manga creator’s name differently, while the formal credits at the bottom identify the source as S&X by Kisei Tada, published by Kodansha. The article therefore uses Kisei Tada, which matches the official credit line. This is exactly the kind of small pre-release detail worth checking before publication. Our Agent Kim Reactivated Webtoon Manager Kim guide is another example where source-material attribution is central to the article.

What is still unknown about the supporting characters?

Netflix has announced the ensemble but has not described every supporting character in the main English press material. That means it is safer to list Ryota Miura, Sawako Fujima, Aoi Nakamura, Rinka Kumada, Sayaka Yamaguchi, Yūsuke Santamaria and Shiro Sano as confirmed cast without forcing unverified character names into the copy. Those details can be filled in once the series launches. For more character-first Netflix coverage, see The Map Of Longing Netflix Cast Guide.

Who is behind the Netflix adaptation?

Shogo Kusano directs, while Tomoko Yoshida handles series composition and writing, with Kusano, Ruriko Matushima and Takumi Baba also credited as writers. Netflix says Kusano’s version aims for an emotionally grounded tone, using sexuality as a route into questions about love, relationships and how people see themselves. That creative framing should remain visible in the article because it helps explain what separates S&X from a standard romance. Readers can also explore KPop Demon Hunters Cast Characters Ending for another adaptation-heavy Netflix guide.

What to add after S&X premieres

After August 20, the best update is a spoiler-controlled manga comparison: which patient stories are adapted, whether arcs are combined, what changes are made to Shimotori’s backstory, and how the reunion with Yuko Araki’s character develops. Avoid publishing separate thin pages for each difference unless a subplot earns clear search demand. A single authoritative adaptation guide is more useful. For a current webtoon-to-screen cluster example, connect this article to Agent Kim Reactivated Cast.

Why Kento Nakajima’s role matters

Netflix calls S&X Nakajima’s second leading role in a Netflix production after Love Like the Falling Petals, but the new character is very different from a conventional romantic lead. Ichito Shimotori’s profession puts him in direct contact with people discussing shame, trauma and relationship problems, while his own unresolved pain gives the series a parallel internal story. That makes performance and character interpretation especially important to searchers after release. For another character-led Netflix guide, see The Map Of Longing Netflix Cast Guide.

What do we know about Yuko Araki’s character?

Netflix intentionally describes Yuko Araki’s character through her connection to Shimotori rather than revealing her full arc in the main announcement. She is the woman he encounters again in a “fateful reunion,” positioning her as a likely bridge between his professional composure and personal history. Until the show launches, that is the strongest verified description and should not be padded with unsupported relationship labels. Readers looking for another complicated romance-and-character guide can move to Desire Netflix Cast.

Will S&X be episodic or serialized?

The clinic premise creates room for different patients and intimate problems, while Shimotori’s unresolved past and reunion storyline provide an ongoing personal thread. Netflix has not published a detailed episode structure in the announcement used here, so it would be premature to promise a strict case-of-the-week format. After release, the episode guide can show which patient stories stand alone and which plotlines continue across the season. For another serialized adaptation page, link to Agent Kim Reactivated Cast.

What should readers know before watching?

S&X deals directly with adult sexuality, relationship difficulties, addiction and sexual trauma. The series’ stated goal is empathetic and character-focused, but those themes may still be sensitive for some viewers. A concise content note is more useful than sensational language and helps the article answer practical pre-watch questions. Once Netflix publishes an official maturity rating and episode-specific advisories, those can be added. For another mature Netflix drama with relationship themes, see Obsession Netflix Series Cast Plot Ending Explained Review.