It has been revealed that Hokuto Matsumura of the popular group SixTONES and actress Mio Imada will be starring in the film "The Swan and the Bat," a live-action adaptation of Keigo Higashino's novel of the same name. The two will play the son of a murder suspect and the daughter of the victim.
The original work is a popular novel that has sold over 1.5 million copies in total, and Higashino himself said, "My goal going forward is to surpass this work." When an honorable lawyer is stabbed to death, the case seems to be solved when a man confesses, "I did it. I am the culprit of all the incidents." However, the suspect's son, Kuragi Kazuma (Matsumura), and the victim's daughter, Shiraishi Mirei (Imada), feel uneasy about each other's father's words and actions... This is the story.
The film will be directed by Kishi Yoshiyuki, who has worked on films such as "Wilderness" (2017) and "The Right Desire" (2023), and the script will be written by Mukai Kosuke, known for "A Man" (2022) and "The Orokamono no mibun" (2025), and who has won the Japan Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
"When I was asked to appear in the film, I was excited to be immersed in Higashino Keigo's worldview," said Matsumura. "I think you'll be immersed in this film from start to finish, and will be able to think along with everyone else while watching. It's a mystery created by people's thoughts, and it's a very worthwhile film."
Imada said, "Although it is a mystery, it is a story that makes you want to root for the two characters. The final development is very surprising, but it is also a work that leaves you with a sad and warm feeling. Director Kishi's gentle personality came through on set, and I will do my best to convey the charm of the story."
The film "The Swan and the Bat" will be released nationwide from September 4th.
◇Comment from Hokuto Matsumura
When I was asked to appear in the film, I was excited to enter Higashino Keigo's worldview. The character I play, Kuraki Kazuma, has special feelings for his father. I thought that expressing the pain of having to doubt someone who had wished from his heart for him to live in peace was an important part of my performance. I am currently working on the film with the help of the staff, including Director Kishi, who is known for his in-depth direction.
This film will immerse you from start to finish, and you will be able to think along with everyone else as you watch. It is a mystery born from human thoughts, and is a very worthwhile piece to watch.
◇Comment from Mio Imada
The story development was really interesting, and I became engrossed in it while reading the original work. I think the character of Shiraishi Mirei is a woman who is dignified and calm in her observations. In this age of information overload, I felt a great sense of strength in her ability to stick to her own doubts without being swayed by the opinions of others.
Although it is a mystery, it is a story that makes you want to root for the two characters. The final twist is very surprising, but it is also a work that leaves you with a bittersweet and warm feeling. Director Kishi's gentle personality was conveyed on set, creating a sense of security, and I will do my best to convey the charm of the story.
◇Comment from Director Yoshiyuki Kishi
The son of the perpetrator and the daughter of the victim meet in order to "find out the truth" about why the incident occurred.
How should we visualize the deep, sad theme that Higashino put into his original work? We continued to search for the answer as we embarked on filming, but as we witnessed the acting of Hokuto Matsumura and Mio Imada, and their diverse emotional expressions, the outline of the theme began to emerge clearly.
Filming is progressing smoothly, supported by the breathtaking acting of the two main actors and the rest of the cast. I would be happiest if many people could encounter and feel this work.
Comment from the original author, Keigo Higashino
Many mystery novels that deal with murder end with the culprit being revealed.
However, this is only the beginning of the film, and the story centers around the suffering of the victim's family and the perpetrator's family. It has a very complex structure, like a woven fabric woven with threads of an infinite variety of thicknesses, lusters, and hardness. I am excited to see what will emerge when those threads are unravelled and rewoven into a film.
