On March 25th, it was announced that actor Ami Touma will play her first lead role in a feature film, "Strawberry Moon" (directed by Sakai Mai), which will be released on October 17th. A live-action film adaptation of Nao Akutagawa's novel of the same name (Subarusha), which became a hot topic on TikTok as ``Reiwa's the most tear-jerking'' and co-stars Jun Saito, Yosuke Sugino, and Ayami Nakajo. A teaser visual and a Teaser trailer were also released.
The film tells the story of Sakurai Moe, who is told she has only six months to live, and in the spring of her first year of high school, she falls in love for the rest of her life. Moe has been sickly since she was a child and has spent her time indoors, but for some reason, she decides to go to high school. On the day of the entrance ceremony, Moe suddenly confesses her feelings to Sato Hinata, who she meets for the first time and is in the same class as her, and they begin dating after a fierce approach. On June 4th, Moe's birthday, they go to see the "Strawberry Moon," a full moon that Moe has always longed to see, and which is said to bind the person she loves to eternal life if they watch it together. However, from that day on, Moe disappears from school, and Hinata is no longer able to contact her. What is the reason for Moe's disappearance, and what is the truth that will be revealed 13 years later...?
Touma will play Moe, Saito will play Hinata, Sugino will play Hinata 13 years later, and Nakajo will play Hinata's childhood friend and Moe's best friend Takato Rei 13 years later. The script was written by Yoshikazu Okada, who has worked on many films such as "10 Years Left to Live" and "Now, I'm Going to Meet You." The film will be directed by Mai Sakai, an up-and-coming director known for "Beautiful Boyfriend - Eternal".
The teaser visual that was released shows the impressive backs of Moe and Hinata looking up at the strawberry moon. The Teaser trailer that was released at the same time begins with Moe's words, "The day I was told I only had six months left to live, I fell in love for the first time," and gives a glimpse of how Moe, who had only six months left to live, felt as she spent the time with Hinata.
◇Comment from Ami Touma
When I heard that I would be involved in this film as my first lead role in a feature film, I felt happy and humbled at the same time. When I read the script, I was touched by the image of Moe making the most of the limited time she had, and I was touched by the kindness of her family and friends who support her, and of Hinata-kun. I had a wonderful and fun time filming with the warm cast and staff. I think this is a film that will warm your heart with its stories of friendship, first love, and the depth of familial love. I hope you will watch it with someone you love and care about.
◇Comment from Jun Saito
When I read the original work, I was deeply moved by the relationship between Moe-chan and Hinata-kun, and the fresh radiance they exuded. I was also very happy to be able to exist in the film as Hinata-kun, who lives as straightforwardly as a sunflower. Every day during filming, I spent the time thinking about wanting to surpass myself. I would not have been able to keep going on my own, but I think I was able to live as Hinata thanks to the wonderful cast, including the star Touma Ami, the director, and the staff, who continued to shine on me, an immature person. I would like everyone to see the people who live in this film thinking of their loved ones, struggling, and trying to live without giving up. I want you to see it through to the end.
◇Comment from Yosuke Sugino
I played the grown-up Sato Hinata. My name is Sugino Yosuke. I was encouraged by the producer's passion and Okada's script, and decided to participate. I was excited to see how I would take over from Saito and express myself. I haven't seen the finished product yet, but I have a feeling it will be a wonderful piece! I'm looking forward to it too!
◇Comment from Ayami Nakajo
After reading the original story and the script, I was so emotionally invested in the story of high school students, so gentle and warm, that I was worried if I could still wear the uniform, but when I was offered the role of an adult Rei, I felt a little sad that I wanted to be a part of that youth (laughs). I watched the footage of Rei and the others as children that had been shot earlier, and there was the beauty of the pictures that is typical of Director Sakai, and the pure beauty that everyone has that can only be brought out at this time in life. Our part as adults is also a very important part, so we took the baton and took on the challenge of filming, with the director's guidance. I myself am very much looking forward to seeing this work on the screen. I hope that everyone will watch this movie with their friends and loved ones, just like "Strawberry Moon", and that it will create good relationships that will last forever.
◇Comment from Director Mai Sakai
Do you remember the first time you fell in love, loved, and knew love? I believe that the scenery you see and the smells you smell while thinking of someone stay in your mind, and they stay in your heart with the emotions you felt at the time. That feeling of being unable to hold on tight no matter how much you hold on is packed into this movie. I am happy to have come across a story that makes me feel that if I think of you, my precious one, I can have hope no matter what happens. I sincerely hope that this story will reach you, the person reading it now.
◇ Comment from screenwriter Yoshikazu Okada
I was given the task of acting as a go-between to turn the beautiful original story into a film. With the help of our wonderful cast of Touma, Saito, Sugino, and Nakajo, and the direction of Director Sakai, we were able to create a cute, fantastical, yet powerful film about love and life. Now I pray that it will reach as many people as possible. I hope you will look forward to it.
◇Comment from original author Nao Akutagawa
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those involved in the film adaptation. I am also grateful to Ami Touma, Jun Saito, Yosuke Sugino, Ayami Nakajo, the other cast members who played the important characters, Director Mai Sakai, Professor Okada, and the filming staff. In the original work, the strength of loving people is greater than the sad fate that awaits, and the kindness of always valuing others over oneself are the main themes. I am sure that the warm world view that has been visualized will captivate your hearts and that you will feel comfortable with the baton relay of kindness that has been passed down from the original novel to the movie. The purity, kindness, and compassion that people are born with. As the original author, I would be very happy if this work could be delivered to the hearts of the visitors in the wonderful world of film. I hope that this pure love will gently embrace your hearts and become a work that will be loved for a long time.
