Mitsuki Takahata Cast as Akari in 5 Centimeters per Second Live-Action Movie

The official website for the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's 2007 anime film 5 Centimeters per Second announced today that actor Mitsuki Takahata is cast as one of the main characters, Akari Shinohara . The site also released a fourth teaser visual featuring Takahata as Akari. The visual shows Akari sitting on a bus seat, looking down at a flyer. Takahata has appeared in live-action films based on other popular manga such as Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (2020) and Golden Kamuy (2024). Takahata has released a comment about playing the role of Akari on the website and X (formerly Twitter) . To be honest, when I was offered the role, I was filled with anxiety, "Really?! Me???" Because Akari-san in Shinkai-san's anime was like a "concept of a wonderful woman" who made petals fly every time she moved, for me at least. However, when I opened the script I received, there was "a person" instead of "concept," and I wondered if the Akari I had been watching was the Akari seen through Takaki's eyes. I was able to feel a little closer to Akari-san. The staff who brought Shinkai's worldview to life in this live-action film are truly amazing! Above all, I am happy to have been able to participate in the first commercial feature film by my mate, Director Okuyama, with whom I have been working together in photography for over 10 years. Shinkai, who has already seen the live-action version of his own film, also released his impressions on the film. When I started watching the film, I felt uncomfortable at first. I felt as if I had handed over an incomplete and immature baton to young creators. However, halfway through, I became engrossed in the film, and by the end, to my surprise, I was watching it with tears in my eyes. I'm not sure if I'm crying because of elements from the original work, because of the Okuyama team, or because of the lost 2000s, but in any case, I was deeply moved. One again, "5 Centimeters per Second" is a strange story. There is no significant drama, no thrilling action scenes, and no heroes or villains. Everyone is hurt and harmed for no apparent reason, and they are always left feeling unsatisfied. But 20 years ago, that "nothingness" was our own image and way of life, and we wanted to make an animated film that would capture that. I'm not sure if the anime version achieved that goal, but in this live-action film, the clumsy seeds of that time have blossomed into a magnificent fruit, complete with all their immaturity. I am glad that I made "5 Centimeters Per Second" from the bottom of my heart (almost for the first time). Thank you very much, everyone at the Okuyama team. RELATED: 5 Centimeters per Second Live-Action Movie Releases Main Trailer Featuring Masayoshi Yamazaki Insert Song The live-action movie 5 Centimeters per Second is scheduled to release in Japan on October 10, 2025. Yoshiyuki Okuyama, known for his work for Kenshi Yonezu ( "Kanden," "KICK BACK" ) music videos, serves as director on a screenplay by Ayako Suzuki. Hokuto Matsumura, a member of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT's male idol group SixTONES, is cast as the role of Takaki Tono. As the third original anime film work by Shinkai following Voices of a Distant Star (2002) and The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004), 5 Centimeters per Second was released in Japan on March 3, 2007. Comix Wave Film's official website describes the movie: After transferring to the same elementary school, Takaki and Akari became best friends.However, their lives change when the families of both are forced to relocate. After a year of separation, Takaki is about to reunite with Akari. As he sits on the train from Tokyo, memories of the past rush through Takaki's head, his meeting time with Akari drawing ever closer. Takaki and Akari begin to wonder if they will ever be able to see each other again, and share their secret feelings. Join Takaki on a journey into three interconnected tales of love and lost innocence that span the minutes and months of their lives. Source : "5 Centimeters per Second" live-action film official website / X (formerly Twitter)

By Crunchyroll feed