It has been revealed that actor Nana Mori will be appearing in the film "5 Centimeters per Second" starring Hokuto Matsumura (directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, set to premiere on October 10th). Mori will play Kanae Sumida, a high school classmate of the main character Takaki Tono, who has feelings for him, and Yuzu Aoki will play Takaki's high school days.
This is a live-action film adaptation of the anime film of the same name, directed by Makoto Shinkai, which was released in 2007. It depicts the protagonist Tono Takaki's 18-year journey through life, from his youthful days as an elementary school student when he met transfer student Shinohara Akari and developed a bond with her, to his high school years spent on Tanegashima after he was separated from Akari upon graduation, to his youth as a young man approaching 30, when he worked as a systems engineer in Tokyo and felt a vague sense of stagnation and frustration. Ueda Yuto, who makes his film debut, will play the childhood version of the protagonist Tono Takaki, played by Matsumura, and Hakuyama Noa, who won the grand prize at the "Toho Cinderella" audition, will play the childhood version of the heroine Shinohara Akari.
The cast of Aso Kiryu, Aoi Miyazaki, and Hidetaka Yoshioka was also announced. Kiryu will play Mizuno Risa, a colleague of Takaki who works at the same company as the grown-up Takaki, Miyazaki will play Koshimizu Midori, Hanae's older sister and a teacher at the high school Takaki attends, and Yoshioka will play Ogawa Ryuichi, the director of the science museum.
It was also revealed that the theme song for the anime version, "One more time, One more chance" by Masayoshi Yamazaki, will be used as a theme song for the film. It has been upmixed for this film and will once again adorn the film as "One more time, One more chance ~Theatrical live-action film '5 Centimeters per Second' Remaster~".
・Comments from the cast
◇Nana Mori / role of Kanae Sumida
It's been a month since I cut my long hair, tanned my skin, and landed on Tanegashima. I felt the proud responsibility of breathing life back into Hanae, and every day I thought about how Hanae would live in this film. The way the nature of Tanegashima welcomed us was so beautiful that I could even feel gratitude for the original work. I worked with Director Okuyama and the other staff members, and while there was a sense of tension and respect for each cut, we carefully shot the film with the joy of expression in mind, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it reaches everyone.
◇ Yuzu Aoki/ Takaki Tono (High school student)
That 5 Centimeters per Second. I watched Makoto Shinkai's story many times, with vague feelings piling up. Even after I was chosen to star, I was filled with a sense of honor, and I remember it took a while for it to sink in. The atmosphere of the team, where Director Okuyama's sincere feelings were transmitted, and the magnificent, endless scenery of Tanegashima. Every part of it was special, and it was an unforgettable summer. I filmed it hoping that every moment when he was called "Tono-kun" on Tanegashima would be connected to Matsumura-san and Ueda-san's days in Tokyo. I'm looking forward to watching it on the big screen myself.
◇ Asao Kiryu / Risa Mizuno
"5 Centimeters per Second" is a work that is loved and left in the hearts of so many people, and the wonderful team led by Director Okuyama is working on it. I am so happy and still feel amazed that I had the opportunity to be a part of it, as it is something that is loved and cherished by so many people.
The time spent with the cast and staff who wanted to work with me, carefully and sincerely picking up the tiny pieces of my heart so that they wouldn't fall off, was a painful but tender time. I'm looking forward to seeing this movie in the cinema.
◇ Aoi Miyazaki/ role of Mitori Koshimizu
When I first met Director Okuyama, I was excited to go to the set because he spoke honestly and with respect for the original work. The set was very calm and comfortable, with the director working on the project with a sense of fun and flexibility. I think the film is filled with moments that could only be captured in that place at that time, with the help of the abundant nature of Tanegashima. I hope all fans of the original work will look forward to it.
◇ Hidetaka Yoshioka / role of Ryuichi Ogawa
When I first heard that it was going to be made into a live-action film, I was confused and surprised that they were taking on a work that is so important to many people, including me, and that could be considered the diamond in the rough of Shinkai's world. However, when I read the script, it was a wonderful story, and I understood how they were going to turn it into a live-action film.
Matsumura-san has beautiful eyes, but also a sense of loneliness that is somehow sad and unique to him, and from the first time I met him, I had the impression that Tono Takaki was right there with him.
This was my first time working with Director Okuyama, but he is very careful and faces the work with a lot of thought, and I feel that this carefulness is reflected on the set. I hope that I can be of some help to Director Okuyama in "5 Centimeters per Second."
◇Songs performed in the film: Masayoshi Yamazaki
When "One More Time, One More Chance" was used in the animated film "5 Centimeters Per Second" released in 2007, I felt like director Makoto Shinkai breathed new life into the song.
I am honored that the song will be used in the film once again for this live-action adaptation. I am happy that the song has been so well received by everyone. I am also looking forward to Director Okuyama's new version of "5 Centimeters per Second."
