The ultimate love story film Onino Hanayome, starring Ren Nagase and Ai Yoshikawa, has unveiled a special behind-the-scenes feature titled “Onino Hanayome Behind Story” along with new still images from the production. The footage offers a closer look at how the cast carefully shaped their characters, from initial script readings to intensive dance rehearsals.
Based on the Japanese-style romantic fantasy series that has surpassed 6.5 million copies in circulation across novels, comics, and digital editions, Onino Hanayome marks the live-action adaptation of the popular story. In the newly released behind-the-scenes video, Ren Nagase takes on the role of Reiya Kiryuuin, the supreme “Oni” who stands at the pinnacle of the ayakashi world, while Ai Yoshikawa portrays Yuzu Shinonome, an ordinary university student who has endured neglect and mistreatment within her family. The footage captures moments of the two actors during script readings, on-set filming, and dance training sessions, revealing their dedication to developing the emotional depth of their roles.
Additional scenes show Ren Nagase in conversation with Kentaro Ito, who plays Kogetsu Yota, during breaks in filming, as well as Ai Yoshikawa sharing lighthearted exchanges with Rin Kataoka, who portrays Yuzu’s younger sister Karin Shinonome. These glimpses convey the warm and collaborative atmosphere present on set throughout the making of Onino Hanayome.
The latter half of the feature focuses on what the director previously highlighted at the production press conference as the film’s most significant highlight: the ballroom scene. This pivotal moment presents Yuzu to the ayakashi world as Reiya’s bride. For this sequence, Ren Nagase and Ai Yoshikawa devoted particular effort to mastering an original paired dance that blends the Viennese Waltz from ballroom tradition with elements of classical Japanese dance. According to Ren Nagase, both actors made time to rehearse despite their busy filming schedules. The newly released stills also depict the evolving emotional closeness between Reiya and Yuzu as they practice together, culminating in the grandeur of the final dance performance.
The film also introduces its image song “Ray,” newly written by singer-songwriter Yuka. The track delicately portrays Yuzu’s inner journey, expressing her loneliness before meeting Reiya, her gradual attraction to him, and the emotional conflict she faces upon confronting her destiny as the “Oni’s Bride.” Yuka shared that after watching the film, she entrusted her heart to the wavering emotions of Reiya and Yuzu while composing the piece, describing love as a process of discovering not only another person but also oneself.
Ai Yoshikawa commented that she felt chills when she first heard the song, noting that it beautifully captures Yuzu’s transformation from despair to growing self-confidence after meeting Reiya. Through “Ray,” she hopes audiences will feel Yuzu’s heartfelt question—“Can I love you?”—which she believes is the most important message her character longs to convey to Reiya.
Onino Hanayome is scheduled for release on March 27.
