It has been revealed that actress Riko Fukumoto and dance and vocal group "FANTASTICS" member Yusei Yagi will co-star in the movie "Tonari no Stella" (directed by Matsumoto Kana). The film depicts the pure and straightforward love between a young actor on his way to stardom and his childhood friend, a high school girl, "a celebrity and an ordinary person."
The original work is a manga of the same name by Anmitsu, which is currently being serialized in the girls' manga magazine "Bessatsu Friend" (Kodansha). Chiaki (Fukumoto) and Subaru (Yagi) are childhood friends, but their situation changes when Subaru is scouted into the entertainment industry. Chiaki supports Subaru, who continues to treat her the same way even after he has become popular, and keeps a certain distance from him, but deep down she has been unable to stop the feelings she has had for him since childhood. And when Chiaki finally confesses her feelings, he is defeated, saying, "I only see you as a childhood friend." The two pass each other by and go their separate ways... This is the story.
Fukumoto commented, "Chiaki is a bright and reliable girl, but I thought it was really cute that she can't be honest with Subaru and becomes stubborn. I'm also really looking forward to her interactions with Subaru, played by Yagi."
Yagi said, "I've heard that many of the cast and staff are from the same generation, including director Matsumoto, who is the same age as me. I'd like to work together and do my best to create a charm that can only be found in this work!"
Filming is scheduled to begin in January 2025, with the movie scheduled for release in summer 2025.
◇Comment from Riko Fukumoto
I'm Fukumoto Riko, who plays Amano Chiaki. Chiaki is a bright and reliable girl, but I thought it was really cute that she can't be honest with Subaru and gets stubborn. I'm also really looking forward to her interactions with Subaru, played by Yagi-san. Please look forward to seeing how the love between these two people, so close yet so far apart, goes.
◇Comment from Yusei Yagi
My name is Yagi Yusei, and I will be playing the role of Hiiragi Subaru. I have known Anmitsu-sensei since Takane no Ran-san, and of course I have read Tonari no Stella as well. I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the world that she has created! I would like to sincerely portray the lovable Subaru, who is clumsy but also human, so that fans of the original work can enjoy it. I have heard that many of the cast and staff are the same age as me, including Director Matsumoto, who is the same age as me. I would like to work hard together to create the kind of charm that can only be found in this work!
◇Comment from the original author, Anmitsu
It's been about a year and a half since I was approached about the project, and I can finally announce it! To be honest, at first I was worried about whether it was okay to involve so many people in a story that came from my imagination, but as a manga artist it was my dream, so I was honestly very happy.
I had a fun exchange of opinions with the director and producers, and the script I received was so faithful to the atmosphere of the original that I could picture the images playing in my head, so I'm really excited!
With the incredible efforts of all the staff and cast members, "Next Door Stella" is sure to be a wonderful production! Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Producer Shota Okada
I wanted to create a "fresh and straightforward love story"! That's when I came across the original work "Next Door Stella" and thought "This is it!!" and immediately started planning. What if your favorite celebrity was your childhood friend? It's a classic scenario that everyone has fantasized about at least once! I'm really looking forward to creating this work with two of the most popular actors right now, Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi.
The production team for this work is also fresh! The energetic staff will be taking on the challenge, led by director Matsumoto Kana and screenwriter Kawamitsu Sawako, both creators in their 20s. Young actors and staff members of the same generation will come together and work hard to create a work that is as classic, straightforward, and heart-pounding as anything you've never seen before! Please read the original work to prepare yourself and wait for further news.
