It was revealed on May 1st that model Mayu Yokota, who has become a hot topic on TBS's live morning program "Love it!" (Monday to Friday at 8:00 am), will appear in the film "Stella Next to Me" (directed by Matsumoto Kana), co-starring actress Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi of the dance and vocal group "FANTASTICS."
The film is based on the manga of the same name by Anmitsu, which is currently being serialized in the girls' manga magazine "Bessatsu Friend" (Kodansha). Subaru (Yagi), a young actor on the rise to stardom, and his childhood friend Chiaki (Fukumoto), a high school girl. It is a classic, heartbreaking love story depicting the pure and straightforward love between the two who find themselves in a frustrating relationship as "celebrity and ordinary person." Yokota plays Shinohara Hazuki, a popular young actress who co-stars with Subaru in the drama.
Yokota said, "The character I played, Hazuki, is a bit cunning, so it was difficult to get the balance right, such as behaving as if she was after Subaru, but Director Matsumoto gave me clear and easy-to-understand explanations, which made it very easy to act. The film doesn't stray too far from the original, but it also has some original elements that make it a work that makes you wish you had a love story like that. There are some heart-fluttering moments, so I hope people will enjoy those aspects as well."
Also announced as part of the cast are Tanabe Ririka as Kondo Haruna, Chiaki's reliable best friend who supports her love, Yuki Kura, a senior at Chiaki's part-time job who is cool but casually concerned about Chiaki, and Nishigaki Takumi as Shindo Rio, a talented young actor who started out as a child actor and will co-star with Subaru in the drama.
Tanabe commented, "It was my first time meeting Director Matsumoto, but he was very kind and gave me detailed advice. During wait times with my co-stars, I spent time as if I were really a student. This movie depicts not only love but also friendship, so I think there are many enjoyable elements to it. Haruna, the character I play, is Chiaki's best friend, and I think the scene where Haruna gives Chiaki a push is particularly wonderful, so I hope you will check it out."
The film will be released on August 22nd.
