Netflix has confirmed that its original film This Is I will be released on February 10. Produced by Netflix and starring newcomer Mochizuki Haruki in the lead role, with Saito Takumi playing a pivotal character, the film is based on a true story that explores gender identity, medical ethics, and the power of personal conviction.
The film draws inspiration from the real-life story of Haruna Ai (born Onishi Kenji), who rose to fame in 2008 for her impersonation of Aya Matsuura, and Dr. Wada Koji, the physician who profoundly changed her life. At a time when gender reassignment surgery was still widely considered taboo, the two men stood at the forefront of a social shift, challenging long-standing norms through their actions.
The story begins in childhood, following Kenji, a boy who struggles from an early age with his “true self.” Despite enduring cold stares and social prejudice, he never gives up on his dream of becoming an idol like Seiko Matsuda. Dr. Wada, who had little understanding of the hardships faced by people with gender identity disorder, is confronted with a harsh reality when he meets Kenji for the first time.
Kenji later becomes Dr. Wada’s first patient to undergo gender reassignment surgery. While Kenji chooses to live life on her own terms, Dr. Wada continues to support other patients, all the while questioning what “true medical care” really means. The film delicately portrays the bond and trust built between the two, set against loneliness, public backlash, and intense societal pressure.
Mochizuki Haruki, selected through auditions and only 18 years old this year, brings fresh attention to the role, while the supporting cast—including Kimura Tae, Nakamura Shido, Chihara Seiji, Nakamura Ataru, Yoshimura Kaito, and MEGUMI—adds depth and emotional weight to the narrative.
As a Netflix original based on real events, This Is I goes beyond recounting an extraordinary life. Instead, it offers a reflective look at self-acceptance, empathy, and the quiet determination required to live truthfully in a society not yet ready to understand.
