A new release date has been set for "Ears to the Future," a live-action adaptation of Studio Ghibli's 1995 animated film starring Seina Seina and Momori Matsuzaka, on October 14, and a special report and teaser visual have been unveiled. The film features a dual storyline, one in the past when the main character was a junior high school student, and an original story that takes place 10 years later. It was also announced that Ryuna Yasuhara and Tsubasa Nakagawa will play the roles of Tsukishima Shizuku and Amazawa Seiji in their junior high school days.
The original story is based on the adolescent romance manga of the same title by Aoi Hiiragi, which was published in the girls' comic magazine "Ribon" (published by Shueisha) in 1989. In 1995, Studio Ghibli made an animated film of the manga, which was a huge hit and still attracts many fans.
When it was announced in January 2020 that Yuichiro Hirakawa ("Memorabilia Store: I Will Remember You," "The Promised Neverland") would direct the live-action version, the film became a hot topic, with several related words trending on SNS. In the original part of the film, which takes place 10 years after Shizuku and Seiji vowed to each other that they would surely make their dreams come true, Shizuku, now 24 years old, has become an editor of children's novels at a publishing company. Somehow a distance develops between Shizuku, who has given up her dream of becoming a novelist and spends her days desperately trying to sell books, and Seiji, who continues to pursue his dream and lives abroad.
In the special feature, the "Earth Shop," book cards and bicycles familiar to fans of the original story and anime, as well as the story's iconic character, Baron, make an appearance. The nostalgic finish of the film depicts the past when they made a promise to each other, and the present when they have grown up and are separated in Japan and Italy, but continue to think of each other. Along with the sound of stringed instruments, the title track by voice actress Yoko Honna, who voiced Shizuku in the animated film, echoes emotionally. The teaser visual depicts Shizuku and Seiji in two different eras, both of whom are watched over by Baron, the "Earth Shop.
Yasuhara, who plays the junior high school student Shizuku, is a hot young actress who has appeared in numerous dramas, including NHK's "Scarlett" serial and the special drama "Kizuna no Pedal," as well as "Special Investigation 9," "Absolute Zero: Inevitable Crime," "That Woman, Jirba," and "Seiji in Junior High School. This is his first film role. Nakagawa, who plays Seiji, has appeared in NHK's historical drama "Onna Jôshu Naotora," as well as dramas such as "Watashi wo Watarasanaide," "Ao no SP - Gakkônai Keisatsu Shimada Ryuhei," "Hikkomori Sensei," "Bokudake wa Maiaiai Machi," "Eine Kleine Nachtbogen," "The Asada Family! He has also worked on films such as "Arc Arc. This film marks his third participation in the Hirakawa group.
The live-action film "Ears to the Sky" will be released in theaters on October 14.
(C) Aoi Hiiragi/Shueisha Original story "Ears to the Past" by Aoi Hiiragi, published by Shueisha Bunko (comic book version)
【Background】
・Graduated from Kyoto University with a major in Japanese Culture Studies, Faculty of Letters
・After graduation, worked 4 years as editor and proofreader for a print magazine specializing in traditional performing arts and culture
・Became a freelance journalist in 2021 and launched japanculturean.com in 2022
【Expertise】
・Pop-Culture Fusion Analysis
Analytical commentary on how modern pop-culture media (anime, film, fashion) incorporates and reinterprets traditional Japanese motifs.
