■ “Meeting Taira-san became something special in my life” (Nogizaka46 Kubo Shiori)
The release of the movie “Nemurubaka,” starring Kubo Fumika (Nogizaka46) and Taira Yuna, has been announced.
The masterpiece youth manga “Nemurubaka” by popular manga artist Ishiguro Masakazu has been adapted into a live-action film. The director of this film is Sakamoto Yugo, one of the most influential directors today, known for the “Baby Warukyure” series. Starring Kubo Shiori (Nogizaka46) and Taira Yuna. This will be their first time acting together, as they play the roles of a junior and a senior who live in the same room in a university women’s dormitory.
Along with this announcement, a “super teaser video” that gives a glimpse of the atmosphere of the work and still photos of the two main actors were released for the first time. In addition, comments have arrived from Kubo Shiori, Taira Yuna, director Sakamoto Yugo, and original author Ishiguro Masakazu. A newly drawn illustration by Ishiguro to commemorate the live-action film adaptation has also been released.
The film “Nemurubaka” will be released nationwide from spring 2025 at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters.
■ The latest work by director Yugo Sakamoto. The first film adaptation of a manga.
The original work is a comic of the same name by Ishiguro Masakazu, who is known for his smash hits such as “Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru” and “Tengoku Daimakyou”. Although it was released in 2008 and is a one-volume manga, it is considered Ishiguro’s masterpiece and is a long-selling work that continues to attract new readers. This masterpiece youth manga has been adapted into a live-action film by Sakamoto Yugo, one of the most promising young film directors today, who is also preparing for the film “Baby Warukyure Nice Days” (released on September 27th). Director Sakamoto, who is taking on the challenge of adapting a work based on an original work for the first time with this work, said, “The act of adapting a manga into a movie is a huge thing, so I was really worried, but I thought, ‘I want to do it if another author does it!’ and I raised my hand out of my own ego. I believed in what I thought was interesting and what was interesting about the original work, or rather, doubted it! I fought, worried, and struggled every day.”
Regarding the fact that his work from 17 years ago is being adapted into a film, Ishiguro Masakazu, the author of the original work, expressed his excitement, saying, “When I saw director Sakamoto Yugo’s ‘Baby Warukure’ I thought, ‘Yes, this is it! This is what I wanted ‘Nemurubaka’ to be like.’ By some twist of fate, I have been asked to have director Sakamoto Yugo film ‘Nemurubaka.’ This is a great thing!”
■ Kubo Shiori (Nogizaka46) and Taira Yuna co-star in the lead roles and co-star for the first time as a university junior and senior
The main characters of this film are a junior and a senior who live in the same room in a university women’s dormitory. The junior, Irisu Yuzumi, is played by Kubo Shiori, and the senior, Kujirai Ruka, is played by Taira Yuna. This is the first time the two have acted together, but their acting is so well-coordinated that it’s hard to believe it’s their first time.
The released super teaser video starts with Irisu (Kubo Shiori) humming, and shows the girls’ dormitory where the two live. Then, gradually, cheers reminiscent of a live concert are added, and the title appears. Finally, a scene from Irisu and Ruka’s daily life is also shown. The still photographs are reminiscent of the cover of the original work, and Kubo and Taira look so natural that it’s hard to believe it’s their first time acting together. You can see a scene that is typical of director Sakamoto, who portrays even the most ordinary of everyday scenes with charm.
This film is a story about young people who spend their strange time as “university students,” a time when they feel as though they are immersed in lukewarm water, but which is also quite earnest for the people involved. While depicting their relaxed and casual daily lives in a charming and humorous way, it also depicts those who pursue their dreams and those who choose a different path, friendship and farewell, and will bring up feelings that everyone has experienced at least once. It is also a work that supports those who are desperately struggling to find their true selves.
■ Comment from Kubo Shiori (Nogizaka46) as Irisu Yuzumi
When I came across the work “Nemurubaka,” I fell in love with this world so much that one day, I noticed my hands shaking as I turned the pages of the script. How did I live as Yuzuru in this world that fascinated me so much?
To be honest, those days were dazzling, precious, and special, and I wanted to lock them away in Yuzumi’s heart. I find myself holding back from looking back. Meeting Taira-san has become something special in my life.
And it was my long-cherished dream to work with Director Sakamoto on this film. Those unforgettable days of my youth. Those times that certainly existed. Those spaces. I hope you will experience them at the cinema.■ Comment from Yuna Taira/Ruka Kujirai
It was a role that I had never played before, and I was completely absorbed in it, fighting with myself every day.
Looking back at the challenges I faced, such as going blonde for the first time, becoming a rock singer for the first time, and learning to play a guitar in such a short space of time without even knowing how to hold it, I wonder how I managed it all…I can’t really remember, and it feels like I was possessed.
My first time acting alongside Kubo Shiori-chan! Meeting Shiori-chan and the youth we shared together have become a treasure to me.
This is a work that depicts a period of moratorium, giving us the opportunity to learn about ourselves and the importance of doing so. I want to share this with people of all ages.
It’s definitely not a “bad cycle” but a great piece of work.
Please, no, definitely go see it at the theater!■ Comment from Director Yugo Sakamoto
I am Sakamoto Yugo, the film director who will be adapting the work “Nemurubaka” into a live-action film.
Turning a manga into a movie is a huge undertaking, so I was really worried.
But my ego made me think, “I’d rather do it than have another author do it!” so I raised my hand.
I simply believe in what I think is interesting and what is interesting about the original work, or rather, I doubt it!
Those were days of fighting, worrying, and lots of conflict.
I believe we have managed to create a production that will please the audience!
Yuzumi, Luka, Peat Moss, and Nakazaki-senpai are all there.
Please come and see us at the theater.■Comment from the original author, Masakazu Ishiguro
“Nemurubaka” is a manga I drew when I was in my 20s.
It is a film that embodied the thoughts that had been swirling inside my mind since my student days, and the desire to “watch a Japanese film like this.”
When I saw director Yugo Sakamoto’s “Baby Warukyuure,” I thought, “Yes, this is it! This is exactly what I wanted Nemurubaka to be like.”
By some twist of fate, I ended up having director Sakamoto Yugo film “Nemurubaka.”
This is a big deal!■ Comment from Producer Yusuke Terada
I feel extremely honored to be entrusted with Ishiguro-sensei’s manga, which I have always loved.
The filming period wasn’t long, but the staff and cast, including Director Sakamoto, Mr. Kubo, and Mr. Taira,
It was a wonderful experience for me to be able to see up close how a wonderful movie was made.
I believe that everyone on the team was fascinated by the original work and did their best to ensure that the film was also a good one.
I hope there are moments in this film that overlap with your everyday life.
And I would be happy if that feeling could linger in your lives, even if just a little.
Movie Information
“Nemurubaka”
Spring 2025: Shinjuku Piccadilly and other locations nationwide
Cast: Kubo Shiori (Nogizaka46) and Taira Yuna
Original work: Masakazu Ishiguro “Nemurubaka” (Tokuma Shoten Comic Ryu)
Director: Yugo Sakamoto (Baby Warukyure series)
Production company: Libertas
Production manager and distributor: Pony Canyon
(C) Masakazu Ishiguro, Tokuma Shoten / “Nemurubaka” Film Production Committee
Work site
https://nemurubaka-movie.com
(C) Masakazu Ishiguro/Tokuma Shoten
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