■ “The fact that Hokuto Matsumura, the actor I trust the most, is playing the lead role makes me feel the wonder of life.” (Makoto Shinkai)
SixTONES member Hokuto Matsumura has been chosen to star in a live-action film based on Makoto Shinkai’s animated film “5 Centimeters per Second.”
Until now, there has never been a live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai’s animation, making this his first live-action film to be released.
The film is based on Makoto Shinkai’s animated film 5 Centimeters per Second, which was released in 2007. Makoto Shinkai, the original author, commented, “I could never make it now, nor could I recreate it,” and added, “I’m very excited that a young, enthusiastic team led by Director Okuyama is once again working on 5 Centimeters per Second.” He added, “I’m looking forward to its completion more than anyone else, and I’m rooting for you.”
The lead role is played by Hokuto Matsumura of SixTONES. This is his first solo lead role in a film. He was selected in an audition to play the role of Sota Munakata in “Suzume no Tojimari,” directed by Makoto Shinkai, and the film became a social phenomenon, grossing over 14.9 billion yen.
Regarding his appearance in this film, Makoto Shinkai said, “I feel the wonder of life in the fact that Hokuto Matsumura, the actor I trust the most, is playing the lead role.”
The live-action film will be directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama.
At a young age, he has already earned high acclaim both from within Japan and overseas as a video director and photographer, having directed commercials for “Pocari Sweat,” as well as music videos for Kenshi Yonezu’s “Kanden” and “KICK BACK,” and Gen Hoshino’s “Sozo.” He is also one of the most sought-after creators today, having directed the anthology feature film “At the Bench” (scheduled for release on November 15th) which brings together Hirose Suzu, Nakano Taiga, Mori Nana, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, and Kamiki Ryunosuke.
Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama, now 33, said, “Even though it’s just a number, I feel it’s an important coincidence” that Shinkai Makoto made “5 Centimeters per Second” when he was 33. He said he wants to make it “something that can only be made now,” and that he intends to put all of the “sentimentality” that remains within himself into this work. For Okuyama, this is his first large-scale feature film as a director.
The screenplay was written by Suzuki Fumiko.
Suzuki, who has written screenplays for films and TV dramas such as “Brave Love” (directed by Morigaki Yudai) and “BISHU – The Gentlest Clothes in the World” (directed by Nishikawa Tatsuro), said, “The profound original work has a different poignancy depending on at what point in your life you encountered it, and I was able to approach it with a mixture of joy and tension.”
The protagonist of the story is Tono Takaki.
The film depicts the 18-year journey of his life, from the youthful days when he bonded with transfer student Shinohara Akari, whom he met in elementary school, to his high school years spent on Tanegashima after they were separated upon graduation, to his youth as he approached 30, working as a systems engineer in Tokyo and feeling a vague sense of stagnation and frustration.
The original animation is a 63-minute work that depicts the protagonist’s years as an elementary and junior high school student, a high school student, and an office worker in the form of a series of three short stories, but the live-action film will be a feature-length film of approximately two hours based on a script that was written after exchanging opinions with the original author, Makoto Shinkai.
It is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2025.
■ Comment from Makoto Shinkai
The animated film “5 Centimeters per Second,” which I directed nearly 20 years ago, was a very immature and unfinished work.
However, it is precisely because of its incompleteness that it has continued to be loved for a long time to this day.
I don’t think I could make or recreate that kind of film now, which was based solely on that initial impulse – my yearning and fear for the unknown.
So I’m very excited that Director Okuyama and his young, enthusiastic team are taking on 5 Centimeters per Second once again.
I also feel the wonder of life in the fact that Hokuto Matsumura, the actor I trust the most, is playing the lead role.
Please make this a movie that could only be made at this time.
I’m looking forward to its completion more than anyone else and am rooting for it.■ Comment from SixTONES’ Hokuto Matsumura
It’s a work that I’ve watched over and over again, so I feel a heavy responsibility every day.
This original work has had a profound impact on the lives of many people. Each fan has their own interpretation and world, and I am one of them. I was hesitant to take the first step, wondering whether someone as inexperienced as me should take part in a live-action adaptation of such a work. However, Director Okuyama and the rest of the production team have a deep admiration and love for the original work. And the words of Shinkai, “I’d like to see it with Hokuto-kun,” gave me the reason to take on the challenge with this team.
This work was created by a team of people who were influenced by and admired “5 Centimeters per Second.” We will take on the challenge with respect for the original team and the fans.■ Comment from Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama
Although it is just a number, I feel that it is an important coincidence that I, now 33 years old, am now getting to film the story that Makoto Shinkai spun when he was 33 years old. Every day I face “5 Centimeters per Second” while realizing that there are things that can only be created now, and that there are some aspects of our lives that we will eventually forget.
As if placing a warm hand on Takaki’s back, who is carrying a vague sense of loss and anxiety, I would like to film every single scene, every single second, carefully, with sincerity and honesty, together with my team, whom I trust wholeheartedly.
I will be putting all of the sentimentality I have remaining inside me into this work, so please look forward to it.■ Comment from Screenwriter Fumiko Suzuki
I was in my 20s when I first saw Makoto Shinkai’s “5 Centimeters per Second.” Many members of the team also saw it when they were in junior high or high school, and depending on when they first encountered the film, they were able to approach the profound original work with different depths of urgency, with both joy and tension.
It’s about the coincidences that bring people closer and apart. I had many conversations with the very earnest Director Okuyama, the trustworthy staff, and the sincere cast, and I put all of that time into the script. I hope it will reach the “now” of many people.■ Comment from Producer Hiromasa Tamai
We would like to express our gratitude to Makoto Shinkai and everyone at CoMix Wave Films, who not only accepted the bold challenge of adapting a timeless masterpiece beloved the world over into a live-action film, but also supported this project with their tireless advice. The project is brought together by front-runners in film direction and photography, such as Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama, Hokuto Matsumura, and his co-stars, as well as people with extraordinary talent and skills in their respective fields of expertise, including screenplay, video, sound, and design, as well as a refined sensibility and aesthetic sense. We hope you will look forward to further updates leading up to the film’s release.
Movie Information
“5 Centimeters per Second”
Original work: Makoto Shinkai, animated film “5 Centimeters per Second”
Director: Yoshiyuki Okuyama
Screenplay: Fumiko Suzuki
Starring: Hokuto Matsumura
Production company: Spoon.
Distributor: Toho
Release: Fall 2025
(C)2025 “5 Centimeters per Second” Production Committee
“5 Centimeters per Second”
https://5cm-movie.jp
SixTONES OFFICIAL SITE
https://www.sixtones.jp/
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