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 premiere of the play was a great success.
Specifically for the first public screening of a movie. Very common in everyday conversation.
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.
I was nervous on the opening night (premiere).
Loanword from English, used for movie premieres or special preview events. Often implies a glamorous event.
I was invited to the Hollywood movie premiere.
Literally 'first screening', a more formal or technical term for a film premiere.
The premiere of this work was held at Cannes.
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.
The premiere of the drama is next week.
Literally 'Episode 1', commonly used for the first episode of an anime or drama series.
Short for 初回放送, often used in casual contexts to mean the first episode or broadcast.
A red-carpet event or special preview screening with guests.
Specifically a premiere screening event, often with celebrities attending.
The director came to the premiere screening.
Loanword for 'red carpet event', used for glamorous premieres.
I took photos at the red carpet premiere.
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.
Go to the movie premiere.
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 date for Episode 1 has been set.
初回から面白かった。
It was interesting from the premiere (first episode).