Mobuko no Koi, a manga by Akane Tamura that began serialization in Monthly Comic Zenon in 2017 and is currently being serialized on the web comic site Zenon Editorial Department, is being made into a movie! Starring Hiyori Sakurada and Daisei Kido, it has been decided that the movie will be released nationwide in early summer 2026.
Tanaka Nobuko, who has been living in the corner as a "supporting character" for 20 years, begins to feel love for the first time. Although she is not good at taking proactive actions, she musters up her courage and tries to close the distance one step at a time. The magnitude of the excitement doesn't matter whether you are the main character or the supporting character. This is a modest and refreshing love story for you who are tired of the "main character" love.
The director is Kazama Taiki, who made his feature film debut with the movie "Cheer Boys!!" (2019) after joining AOI Pro. Co., Ltd., and has since released a number of popular works, including the TV drama "Silent" (22), "The Beginning of the Sea" (24), and the movie "Buzzy Noise" (24). Director Kazama commented, "I would like to cherish the touch of the original work, which depicts the expansion of the world that Nobuko sees through her relationships with the friends she meets at her part-time job at the supermarket, and through her love affairs, and carefully depict each step of that in the movie."
Sakurada Hiyori plays Mobuko, also known as Tanaka Nobuko, a shy and reserved female college student. Her performance in "Exchange Lie Diaries" (directed by Takemura Kentaro), released in 2023, was recognized and she won the Newcomer Actor Award at the 47th Japan Academy Awards. In recent years, she has appeared in many popular films, including "Blue Period" (24/directed by Hagiwara Kentaro), "Under a Big Onion" (25/directed by Kusano Shogo), which will be released in February, and "Inheritance Detective" (25/NTV). Sakurada, who is a self-proclaimed fan of the original work, commented, "I am still excited to think that the day has come when I will be playing Nobuko, who I have been watching as a fan of the original work for so long." This will be her second time teaming up with Director Kazama, and she expressed her enthusiasm for the filming, saying, "Although we have not yet started filming, I am looking forward to carefully and delicately creating the world of Nobuko and her friends with Director Kazama, who always brings out sides of me that I did not know, the wonderful cast, and the wonderful staff."
The role of Irie Hiroki, a university student who works part-time at the same supermarket and who Mobuko first falls in love with, will be played by Kido Taisei, who gained attention in 2022 with the Netflix original series "First Love," and has appeared in a string of popular works including "House of Ninjas" (24), "The Beginning of the Sea" (24), and the movie "Yukite Kaheranu" (25). Kido commented, "I hope to enjoy weaving together with director Kazama Daiki and Sakurada Hiyori the relationship between Nobuko and Irie-kun, which is not just a romantic relationship." He continued, "Because of 'Mobuko's Love,' I will be able to create a completely new story that has never been seen before.""A new love story"I would be happy to be able to share this with everyone."
Director Kazama commented on Sakurada and Kido, "I feel encouraged to be reunited with the stars Sakurada Hiyori and Kido Daisei. They are two very thoughtful people. Each of them has realized, let go of, and cultivated things in their own way. I would like to look at the film with a fresh perspective, including the things that will never change," showing his complete trust in the actors.
The movie "Mobuko no Koi" will be released nationwide in early summer 2026. Please stay tuned for further updates.
Profile & Comments
Hiyori Sakurada/Nobuko Tanaka
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 2002. Debuted as an actor in 2013. Began performing at a young age and appeared in dramas and movies, and was an exclusive model for the fashion magazine "Seventeen" for about five years from 2018. His performance in "Kaku Uso Nikki" (directed by Takemura Kentaro), which will be released in 2023, was highly praised and he won the Newcomer Actor Award at the 47th Japan Academy Awards. In recent years, he has appeared in the films "Blue Period" (24/directed by Hagiwara Kentaro), "Buzzy Noise" (24/directed by Kazama Taiki), "Under the Big Onion" (25/directed by Kusano Shogo), which will be released in February, and "Inheritance Detective" (25/NTV).
【comment】
I've always been a fan of the original work, and I'm still excited to think that the day has come when I'll be playing Nobuko. This will be my first time acting with Kido-san, and when I met him, I thought he was a natural, warm person. Filming hasn't started yet, but I'm looking forward to carefully and delicately creating the world of Nobuko and her friends with Director Kazama, who always brings out a side of me I didn't know, the wonderful cast, and the wonderful staff.
Daisei Kido/Hiroki Irie
Born in 1996, from Fukuoka Prefecture. Made his acting debut in 2017. In 2022, he played the young version of the protagonist Harumichi Namiki, played by Takeru Sato, in the Netflix original series "First Love," which was released, and quickly attracted attention. His main appearances include the dramas "Our School Broadcast" (23/CX), "Mr. Yuria's Red Thread" (23/EX), the Netflix original series "House of Ninjas" (24), "Expo no Taiyo" (24/EX), "9 Border" (24/TBS), "The Beginning of the Sea" (24/CX), and "Vanilla Everyday" (25/NHK), among other popular works. In the film "Yukite Kaheranu" (25/directed by Negishi Kichitaro), released in February, he delicately played the role of poet Nakahara Chuya.
【comment】
I don't think it's that easy to try to change your own personality or the way you've lived your life up until now.
Irie-kun has difficulty communicating with others because he thinks too much about them, but what kind of influence will he be able to have by interacting with and spending time with Nobuko, who is in the same situation?
I hope to enjoy the relationship between Nobuko and Irie-kun, which is not merely romantic, as we carefully weave each scene together with director Kazama Taiki and Sakurada Hiyori.
Only "Mobuko's Love" can provide something unprecedented"A new love story"I would be happy to share this with you all.
Director: Taiki Kazama
Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1991. After graduating from the Department of Film and Media Studies at Tohoku University of Art and Design, he joined AOI Pro.
He made his feature film debut with the movie "Cheer Boys!!" in 2019. His major directorial works include the drama "If You're a Virgin at Thirty, You Can Become a Wizard" (20/TX), "Ukiwa - More than Friends, Less Than an Affair" (21/TX), "Silent" (22/CX), "The Beginning of the Sea" (24/CX), and the movie "Buzzy Noise" (24).
【comment】
She is afraid of disappointing someone with her words and behavior. Nobuko is so overly concerned with trivial things that she lacks confidence. She is single-minded in everything she does, and even has dreams, wishes, and feelings of love, but she always ends up stuck in her own world. I would like to cherish the touch of the original work, which depicts the expansion of the world that Nobuko sees through her relationships with the friends she meets at a part-time supermarket, and through her romance, and carefully depict each step of the story in the film. I feel reassured by the reunion of the main actors, Sakurada Hiyori and Kido Daisei. They are two people who think a lot. Each of them has realized, let go of, and cultivated something in their own way. I would like to look at the film with a fresh feeling, including the things that have not changed.
Original author: Akane Tamura [Comment]
"Mobuko no Koi" is being made into a live-action movie!
I hope that both those who have read the manga and those who haven't will look forward to it.
I am personally very excited to be able to see how various emotions develop between the two of them as a result of their love, expressed in a way that only a film can.
Work Summary
Title: "Mobuko's Love"
Director: Kazama Taiki
Starring: Hiyori Sakurada and Daisei Kido
©2026 "Mobuko no Koi" Film Production Committee
Original information
"Mobuko's Love"
Author: Akane Tamura
Published by Coremix
Zenon Comics volumes 1 to 21 are on sale now
The latest volume, volume 22, is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Read the first chapter
©Akane Tamura/Coremix