■ “I was really excited when I heard that the songs from 366 Days would be made into a movie.” (HY Nakasone Izumi)
The film “366 Days”, inspired by HY’s hit song “366 Days”, will be released nationwide on January 10, 2025.
HY, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in September 2024, released their signature song “366 Days” in 2008 as a song about unrequited love, and is still loved by people of all ages. The movie “366 Days” spins an original story based on the song.
In 2003, Minato Makiya, a high school student living in Okinawa, meets Miu Tamashiro, a junior at the same high school. The two, who like the same music, are naturally attracted to each other, and on Minato’s graduation day, he confesses his feelings to her and they start dating.
After losing his mother to illness, Minato was on the verge of giving up on his dream of making music, but Miumi told him, “I want to hear a song you wrote someday,” and encouraged him to go to college in Tokyo. Two years later, Miumi also came to Tokyo and reunited with Minato, and the two of them began living happily together in Tokyo.
Minato has secured employment at a music company, while Miumi is working hard toward her dream of becoming an interpreter. “I hope this happiness continues for 365 days in a row.” That’s what the two of them wished for. But one day, Minato suddenly breaks up with Miumi and leaves her…
Set in the two cities of Okinawa and Tokyo, this heartbreaking pure love story spanning 20 years is born.
The protagonist Minato is played by Eiji Akaso. This year, Akaso starred in the TV drama “Re: Revenge – At the End of Desire” and has appeared in films such as “If Tokugawa Ieyasu Became Prime Minister” and “Six Lying College Students”. This will be his first solo theatrical film in three years since “Cherry Magic THE MOVIE: If You’re a Virgin at 30, You’ll Become a Wizard Apparently” (2022).
The heroine Miumi is played by Moka Kamishiraishi. While she is active in a wide range of fields including dramas, movies, and stage plays, she also demonstrates her talents in many areas, such as releasing songs as an artist under the name “adieu.” This will be her second time acting alongside Akaso in two years, since the TV drama “Pending Train – 8:23, Tomorrow with You” (2023).
The director is Takehiko Shinjo, who is renowned as a master of love stories, having directed such films as “I Just Love You” (2006), “Your Lie in April” (2016), and “But Chiki-kun is Too Sweet” (2023). Director Shinjo delicately depicts the story of Minato and Miumi, which spans 20 years.
Along with the information on the film, a teaser visual and a special trailer were also released. The teaser visual is made up of two contrasting shots of Minato and Miumi gazing at each other’s profiles against the backdrop of the beautiful ocean of Okinawa, creating a sad visual that foreshadows the misunderstanding that will soon come between the happy couple.
In the trailer, Minato listens to a message from Miumi on a MiniDisc, and the story goes back to when the two first met 20 years ago. The two are attracted to each other and spend happy days together. “I hope these happy days continue forever…” Then, Miumi bursts into tears after hearing that wish.
And at the end, when they return to the present day and Minato finishes listening to Miumi’s message, tears well up in his eyes…
What on earth happened to them in those 20 years? This epic story is set in the two cities of Okinawa and Tokyo, and the footage is sure to build anticipation.
■ Comment from Eiji Akaso
I listened to “366 Days” when I was a student, and it’s one of the songs that added color to my student life. So I was very happy, and when I first read the plot, I was drawn in by the story, which is full of sadness and kindness, about being hurt or hurting someone because you care about them. I hope that you will enjoy this work, which is full of love, along with the music of 366 Days.Comment from Moka Kamishiraishi
I’m Kamishiraishi Moka, who played the role of Tamaki Miumi. I feel that HY’s “366 Days” is a special song that vividly depicts the heart-rending pain and happiness that comes from thinking about someone. I breathed new life into the world of this song that so many people have attached their feelings to, and wove it together with great care. It was refreshing to be able to spend 20 years in the role, and the time I was able to face various emotions throughout the life of one person is a treasure. I believe this work will allow you to gently open the lid of your memories and look into them. I hope you will look forward to it until it is released to you.■ Comment from Director Takehiko Shinjo
When I first heard about this project, the first thing I thought about was how to effectively convey and have people feel the sadness and bittersweetness that everyone has experienced at least once, but also the wonderfulness that comes from loving someone.
It was a more delicate and difficult challenge than I expected, but with a wonderful script and a wonderful cast including Akaso-kun and Moeka-chan, I believe we will be able to deliver a deeper, richer, and more heartwarming work to everyone.
Please look forward to it, thank you.■ HY member comments
◇ Hideyuki Niizato
I was reminded once again that it’s a truly amazing song.
This song was written 16 years ago, but it has something important and certain that people need, so I think today will connect to tomorrow. When you fall in love with someone, your heart will feel so happy, delighted, and sad.
It’s almost strange. I’m really happy that I can share it with everyone again as the 366 Days movie.◇ Nakatoshi
HY is based in Okinawa and is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary since its formation. The many people who have congratulated us have made us realize once again how glad we are to have continued as a band. We also consider the film adaptation of 366 Days to be a great blessing. We are truly happy. We first met Akaso-kun and Kamishiraishi-san, who will be appearing in the film, on leap day, February 29th of this year. Both of them spoke to us in a friendly manner with bright smiles, which made us even more excited for the film’s release. We hope everyone will look forward to the film “366 Days.”◇Shinsuke Kyoda
It’s been 16 years since the song 366 Days was created, but I never dreamed that it would be sung and loved by so many people, covered by others, and even become the motif for the movie Akai Ito and other Monday 9pm dramas, and that it would one day be made into a movie. The cast of leading roles is so impressive, and I was so surprised to hear that it was not only set in Okinawa, but also filmed at the school I attended back then in my hometown of Uruma that it still doesn’t seem real. I can’t wait until I can see it in the cinema!◇Nakasone Spring
I was really excited when I heard that the song “366 Days” was going to be made into a movie.
On the other hand, it’s a song from 16 years ago, and I feel like the way people listen to it is constantly changing.
These changes were shared with the film staff, and a new story was born.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how everyone feels and thinks after watching the movie. I, too, would love to go see it with my family when it comes out!
Movie Information
“366 Days”
Release date: Friday, January 10, 2025
Starring: Eiji Akaso
Cast: Moka Kamishiraishi and others
inspired by HY “366 Days”
Director: Takehiko Shinjo
Screenplay: Kaho Fukuda
Music: Moe Hinata
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment Shochiku
Original work: “366 Days” Monogatari Committee
Produced by: “366 Days” Film Production CommitteeMovie “366 Days” production site
https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/366movie/HY OFFICIAL SITE
https://hy-road.net/
