Translation guide
How to talk about a premiere (first showing or performance) in Japanese, depending on context.
Referring to the very first public performance or screening of a movie, play, or show.
The first episode of a TV series or first broadcast of a program.
Standard term for the first broadcast of a TV or radio program.
ドラマの初回放送は来週です。
The premiere of the drama is next week.
A red-carpet event or special preview screening with guests.
Specifically a premiere screening event, often with celebrities attending.
プレミア上映会に監督が来た。
The director came to the premiere screening.
初演 is for stage performances (plays, concerts), while 封切り is specifically for movies. Using 封切り for a play would sound odd.
映画の封切りに行く。
Go to the movie premiere.
舞台の初演を見る。
Watch the stage premiere.
プレミア is a casual loanword often used for movie premieres or special events. It can sound trendy but may not fit formal writing. For formal contexts, use 初演 or 封切り.
The premiere of the play was a great success.
Specifically for the first public screening of a movie. Very common in everyday conversation.
あの映画の封切りは来月だ。
That movie's premiere is next month.
Literally 'first day', often used for the opening day of a theatrical run or event. Can imply the premiere performance.
初日の舞台は緊張した。
I was nervous on the opening night (premiere).
Loanword from English, used for movie premieres or special preview events. Often implies a glamorous event.
ハリウッド映画のプレミアに招待された。
I was invited to the Hollywood movie premiere.
Literally 'first screening', a more formal or technical term for a film premiere.
この作品の初上映はカンヌで行われた。
The premiere of this work was held at Cannes.
Literally 'Episode 1', commonly used for the first episode of an anime or drama series.
第1話の放送日が決まった。
The premiere date for Episode 1 has been set.
Short for 初回放送, often used in casual contexts to mean the first episode or broadcast.
初回から面白かった。
It was interesting from the premiere (first episode).
Loanword for 'red carpet event', used for glamorous premieres.
レッドカーペットイベントで写真を撮った。
I took photos at the red carpet premiere.