Actress Kishii Yukino takes the lead in the upcoming film Subete Mayonaka no Koibitotachi, a live-action adaptation of Kawakami Mieko’s celebrated romance novel. Starring alongside her is Asano Tadanobu, who plays the film’s central male role.
Originally published in 2011, Kawakami’s novel has sold over 400,000 copies in Japan and holds a special place in modern Japanese literature. It was notably the first Japanese novel ever nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Best Novel, and was selected by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Books to Read in 2022.
The film is helmed by Sode Yukiko, known for her delicate storytelling in Ano Ko no Kizoku. Her return to directing promises another thoughtful, emotionally layered portrayal of contemporary womanhood.
At the heart of the story is Irie Fuyuko (played by Kishii), a freelance proofreader who leads a solitary life, choosing distance over connection. Her quiet routine begins to change when she meets Mitsutsuka (Asano), an older physics teacher whose calm presence gently encourages her to face her own emotions and long-buried desires.
Poignant and introspective, Subete Mayonaka no Koibitotachi explores loneliness, self-discovery, and the quiet beauty of human connection.
The film is set for release in 2026.
