The popular manga "Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki," which has sold a total of 7.5 million copies, has been adapted into a live-action film, with Michieda Shunsuke of the popular group "Naniwa Danshi" set to star in the lead role. The film tells the story of a love story between two princes: a "prince" who is the most handsome boy in high school and boasts perfect looks, and a heroine who is also nicknamed "prince" for her good looks and cool demeanor. The heroine will be played by model and actor Anzai Seira.
"Beautiful Evening Moon" is a manga by Yamamori Mika currently being serialized in "Monthly Dessert" (Kodansha). It is a story about the special first love between two men and women who are both known as "princes" - Ichimura Kohaku, the most handsome boy in high school who grew up in a wealthy family and is nicknamed "Prince," and Takiguchi Yoi, a girl known as "Prince" for her androgynous beauty and cool demeanor. The manga has been published in 10 volumes and has been a huge hit, with a total of over 7.5 million copies sold (worldwide). An anime TV series has also been broadcast on TBS since January this year.
The live-action film will be directed by Takemura Kentaro, who served as chief director for the dramas "Saionji-san Doesn't Do Housework" and "Housework on the Other Side: This is My Way of Life!" (both on TBS), and made his directorial debut with "Exchange Lies Diary." The script will be written by Tokunaga Yuichi, who has worked on the "Kaguya-sama: Love is War" series and "Cells at Work!"
Michieda changed his hair color to a beautiful platinum blonde to match Kohaku's appearance in the original work. He plays Kohaku, who appears to be a playboy but is actually straightforward, and faces his first serious love after meeting Yoi. Michieda, who was a fan of the original work even before the film adaptation was decided, commented, "I read the original work often and was a fan, so I was happy when I was cast!" He said of his role, "Kohaku appears to be a skilled romantic, but he is actually a very pure, clumsy boy who can't be honest. He is a very cool boy, but he also has that side to him, so there is a gap. He seems used to women but that is not the case at all. He gets excited and sad as he discovers new aspects of himself, so I think he is a boyish character."
This will be Anzai's first time acting alongside Michieda, and her first time taking on the role of a romantic film heroine. Dubbed "Generation Z's hottest cool beauty," Anzai plays Yoi, a girl bewildered by her first love. Like Michieda, Anzai is a fan of the original manga, saying, "I get restless when the release date of a new volume approaches, and I always go to the bookstore on the day to buy it, so I was honored when I received the offer. That's why it was also the moment I resolved to take the role seriously." Looking back on the filming, she said, "Michieda's Kohaku is just like Kohaku, with his gestures and gazes being just that, and just when you think you know him, he slips away and you can't grasp him. Being confused by his pace was a major key to playing Yoi. The time I spent as Yoi was an invaluable experience for my acting career."
Regarding the film adaptation, Yamamori, the original author, commented, "When I met Michieda and Anzai, who are perfect for the roles of Prince x Prince, I remember being stunned by their overwhelming beauty and prince-like aura, to the point that I was at a loss for words: 'What a small face! What thin legs!' Everyone in the production team also had a good understanding of the original work and worked sincerely, so I am confident that it will be a wonderful film." The film, "Beautiful Evening Moon," is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2026.
◇Comment from Shunsuke Michieda
I read the original manga a lot and was a big fan, so I was happy when I was chosen to appear! Kohaku seems to be a seasoned romantic, but he's actually a very pure, clumsy boy who can't be honest. He's a really cool guy, but that side of him creates a gap. He seems used to women, but that's not the case at all. He gets happy and sad as he discovers new aspects of himself, so I think he's a boyish character.
Anzai-san is a very cheerful person and always livened up the set, so she was a great support. The character of Yoi played by Anzai-san was very straightforward and charming!
I hope you will be excited to watch the misunderstandings and conflicts between the two princes, and wonder, "What kind of face will he make next?"
◇Comment from Seira Anzai
I'm such a big fan of the original that I get restless when the release date of a new volume approaches, and I always go to the bookstore on the day to buy it, so I was very honored when I received the offer. That was also the moment when I decided that I had to take the role seriously.
How can we express this beautiful worldview that Yamamori has created on the big screen? Not only did we have to create the visuals of Yoi, but we also had to try and recreate every scene while checking the original work with the director and staff, including her innocent and clumsy first-time love, and her demeanor that earned her the nickname "prince" despite being a girl.
Kohaku, played by Michieda, is just like Kohaku in terms of his gestures and gaze, and just when you think you get to know him, he slips away and you can't get a hold of him. The fact that he is confused by Kohaku's pace was a major key in playing Yoi.
The time I spent as a yoi has become an irreplaceable experience in my acting career. I hope that the production will remain in the hearts of those who watch it.
◇Comment from Director Kentaro Takemura
I am honored to be able to adapt Yamamori-sensei's delicate and beautiful worldview into a film. The main actors, Michieda-kun and Anzai-san, charmingly portray the complex inner lives of Kohaku and Yoi, who are both known as "princes." I hope that fans of the original work, as well as those experiencing this film for the first time, will come to the theater to experience their earnest and straightforward human relationships, and their awkward and painful growth.
◇Comment from the original author, Mika Yamamori
I was very happy when I heard about the live-action adaptation. I was also looking forward to finding out who would play Kohaku and Yoi-chan. When I met Michieda-san and Anzai-san, who are perfect for the roles of Prince and Prince, I remember being stunned by their overwhelming beauty and prince-like aura, to the point that I was at a loss for words: "What a small face! What thin legs!" Everyone in the production team also had a good understanding of the original work and worked sincerely, so I am confident that it will be a wonderful film. I hope that this film reaches many people.
