Yuu Nagira's Award-Winning Novel "Nanji, Hoshi no Gotoku" is Being Adapted for the Big Screen: Starring Suzu Hirose and Ryūsei Yokohama!
One of the most talked-about works in the Japanese literary world in recent years, Nanji, Hoshi no Gotoku (Like the Stars), is preparing to greet its fans with a film adaptation. The film version of this profound novel, written by Yuu Nagira and winner of the prestigious Honya Taisho (Japan Booksellers' Award) in 2023, will be released in theaters on October 9, 2026. The film will star the shining stars of Japanese cinema, Suzu Hirose and Ryūsei Yokohama.
The story begins on a peaceful island in the Seto Inland Sea and follows the 15-year growth and love story of two young people whose paths cross: Akimi Inoue and Kai Aono. Struggling with their own family issues and identified as "young carers," these two characters find refuge in each other within the narrow confines of the island. However, the difficult choices brought by life and the twists of fate drag them into an emotional test that lasts for years.
Author Yuu Nagira took her literary competence to the next level with this work, following the global success she achieved with the Utsukushii Kare (My Beautiful Man) series. Selling over 1 million copies, Nanji, Hoshi no Gotoku is considered a modern classic that questions not only a love story but also the individual's search for freedom within society. The fact that such a powerful text will be directed by Michihito Fujii, known for the film The Last 10 Years, further increases expectations.
One of the most interesting details behind the project is that lead actor Ryūsei Yokohama personally spearheaded this adaptation. A huge fan of the novel, Yokohama personally proposed the idea of bringing the work to the screen to director Michihito Fujii, with whom he has worked six times before. Additionally, this film will be the second major collaboration between the duo Suzu Hirose and Ryūsei Yokohama, following the film The Wandering Moon (Rurou no Tsuki), which was also a Nagira adaptation.
The film, with a screenplay written by Naoko Adachi, promises viewers both a visual feast and a touching drama. Filming is planned to take place in the unique landscapes of the Seto region, in keeping with the spirit of the novel. Already confirmed to be one of the most ambitious productions of 2026 for fans of Japanese cinema and literature, this film will make audiences re-examine the themes of justice, love, and sacrifice.
