Actor Takumi Saito appeared at "Next on Netflix 2026," an event to announce Netflix's new lineup, held in Tokyo on January 27th. Saito, who stars in the Netflix film "This is I" (released on February 10th), which is based on the true story of talent Haruna Ai, spoke about his co-star, young actor Haruki Mochizuki.
The film is based on Haruna's autobiography, "This Wonderful Life" (Kodansha), and the non-fiction book, "Penis Cutter: The Story of the Doctor Who Saved a Man with Gender Identity Disorder" (Hojosha), by Wada Koji, the doctor who performed Haruna's gender reassignment surgery. It depicts the trust, bond, and tragic journey of the protagonist Ai (Mochizuki), who has dreamed of becoming an idol while struggling with the question of "who she really is" since she was a child, and Wada (Saito), a doctor with a wounded heart.
Saito described Mochizuki, who was 17 years old at the time of filming (she's now 18) and was chosen through an audition to play the main character Ai, as a "rising star." He said, "It's a miracle that she envelops the work and becomes a dwelling light... perhaps this work alone has that kind of brilliance... I thought that this person had that kind of brilliance when I met her. The role required her to shoulder an endless variety of burdens, but at the same time she possessed an intrinsic strength that surpassed all of that."
Regarding his own role, he explained, "After meeting one person, Haruna Ai, Professor Wada's life changes even further, it changes in its essence," and reflected, "For me, too, when I was acting opposite Mochizuki, there was a moment when I thought, 'Meeting this person was a turning point in my life.'"
He revealed that he watched the completed film with Haruna, her mother, and Dr. Wada's family, saying, "After watching it, both families were in tears and hugged each other. I thought that was one of the reasons this film was created, and that it was its goal. Before it reaches the whole world, I think it has reached the people it should reach the most." He added, "This film is not only Haruna Ai's story, but also the story of a man whose dream is to support Haruna Ai's dream. I hope it reaches the depths of everyone's hearts."
Director Yusaku Matsumoto, who directed the film, and Yoshihiro Sato from Netflix's content division also appeared at the event.
