Live Action Films I’m Looking Forward To See So Far This 2018

As you can notice from some of my posts, I watch live action movies, no matter how terrified I am of the outcome. (If this post isn’t proof enough, I don’t know what can be.) I guess I really just enjoy re-living the stories through a different medium? After all, I’m the type to re-watch shows. And to still check out other adaptations. (Uhhuh, looking at you Itazura na Kiss, Hana Kimi, and Hana Yori Dango adaptations!)

Anyway, along with some anime series, I’m excited to see these live action films. Some of them I’ve read the manga while some are still on my plan-to-watch list.

---

Chihayafuru: Musubi

This is the Part III of the movies. The word ‘musubi’ (meaning knot) is interesting. I first became familiar with it because of Kimi no Na wa.. Now I think it’s interesting to study its relevance to karuta and to the characters. This is the one I’m most looking forward to seeing because I love the series so much. Seeing that scene of Arata x Chihaya and that scene of Taichi x Chihaya… I JUST CAN’T CHILL! I’m glad that Kaku Kento got the role of Suou because I think he’ll give justice to the role. I’m going to see more of Mackenyu this time, too! And more Nomura Shohei in angst!

---

Honey

This is a story of a delinquent-looking guy, who’s actually sweet and nice, and an adorable, shy girl. The leads are quite new. Or at least the lead guy. I’ve seen Taira Yuna in some shows but her acting is so-so. I hope they will be able to present Onise and Nao’s charming relationship well.

---

Sakamichi no Apollon

I actually have started watching the anime (like, 2 episodes), but I haven’t finished it. I enjoyed what I’ve seen so far. I also like the music, so I’m really hoping this will be a good adaptation. I haven’t seen Chinen Yuri in any dramas or movies. Though he’s acted in some shows before, he’s still actually an idol, so like with others, I will keep my expectations low, though I still hope he’ll be able to act decently. As for Nakagawa Taishi, I think he’s a good actor. Based on what I’ve seen of him, I think he’ll be able to pull off Sentaro. As for Komatsu Nana… honestly, I haven’t liked her in any of the shows I’ve seen of her. Some people say she does well in dark roles, but her role her isn’t exactly dark, so I’m not gonna expect much.

---

Marmalade Boy

Marmalade Boy is about two couples divorcing and swapping partners, then living together for their children. These children then develops romantic relationship for each other. This is actually one of my childhood anime series. I still remember how insane the plot is because I liked it a lot when I was young. (Ahh, shoujo self.) I don’t think they’ll cover everything in the anime because that’d be cramming a lot for a 2-hr film, but I guess it’ll focus on the first half. I have high hopes for Yoshizawa Ryo who’s acting as Yuu because he did well in each show I’ve seen him. Sakurai Hinako, on the other hand, is a green leaf to acting. Hoping that she’ll be able to do well, though. (Ohara Sakurako did a great job in Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru!)

---

Nijiiro Days

The story is about the high school life of four guys with different personalities yet hang out on the same group. One of them falls in love and it’s a domino effect. Their happy lives got brighter. An average story, but I do enjoy reading the manga so I’m looking forward to this one. Sano Reo, Nakagawa Taishi, Takasugi Mahiro, and Yokohama Ryusei. Of these four, I’m only unfamiliar with the first while the others have good impression on me. I hope they’ll be able to cast decent female actors, too.

---

River’s Edge

Had this been a list based on priority, this one comes second. Though I haven’t read the manga, this trailer and the synopsis caught my attention. Apparently, it’s about a guy named Ichiro who’s actually a gay and gets bullied at school. Haruna sticks up to him and they get closer to each other. Ichiro confides that he saw a dead body by the river. Soon, a new body is found. IT’S INTRIGUING! And I’d like to see how the two handles their relationship. I have high hopes for this because, as you already read above, Yoshizawa Ryo is a good actor in my book, and it’s the same for Nikaido Fumi. I just love how she always takes on a variety of roles. (But this is also why she’s almost never seen in any mainstream shoujo films or shows. Her first shoujo film was Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji.)

---

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

The anime is quite popular and it’s one of those that I enjoyed watching. (Though I’m still pissed by something that Haru did.) It’s a story of Haru, who is quite eccentric and is viewed as a problem child, and Shizuku, a cold and studious student. I loved the anime because of its many humorous moments, though with the trailer like that, I think it’ll be a bit more serious in a way. Masaki Suda is a great actor, so I have confidence to say that he’ll be able to impress with his acting as Haru. I may not be going too far to say that he’ll be the one to carry the movie, too, because Tsuchiya Tao, in my opinion, is a lacking actress. I find her acting lacking the emotions meant for the scenes. But I’m still going to watch this because there’s Masaki Suda. And Furukawa Yuki and Yamada Yuki who are also good actors for me.

---

Chotto Mate Yakyuubu!

I haven’t read the manga, but I liked baseball because of Ookiku Furikabutte and Diamond no Ace. This one is based on a comedy manga about three friends who are members of an average baseball club. I think it’ll be fun watching Suga Kenta (Hinata Shouyou for Engeki Haikyuu!!) as one of the leads. He’s with Koseki Yuta, too, who is a good actor as well. I haven’t seen Yamamoto Ryosuke in any show, but hoping for a good performance from him.

---

Principal

 

Synopsis:
After her parents divorced, Shima Sumitomo lived with mother. She felt uncomfortable living with her stepfather and she was unable to hang out with people at her high school. Shima Sumitomo decides to move to Hokkaido where her father lives. At her new high school in Hokkaido, she meets classmate Gen Tatebayashi and Wao Sakurai. They are the two most popular boys at her school. A principle of her school is that “Gen and Wao are for everyone.” If anyone breaks the rule, that person will be ostracized. Shima Sumitomo gets closer to Gen and Wao.

Sounds like one of those typical shoujo stories. But I’ll still check it out because of Kuroshima Yuina. And Takasugi Mahiro who’s playing Wao.

---

Perfect World

Synopsis:
Tsugumi Kawana works at an interior design company. She happens to meet her first love Itsuki Ayukawa from her high school days. He is now an architect and in a wheelchair because of an accident.

Haven’t read this manga though I have a feeling it’s going to be some kind of dramatic slice of life story. Watching this for Sugisaki Hana, too. She’s one of my favorite actresses as she’s one of the best in her generation. So talented and versatile!

---

Inuyashiki

Synopsis:
Ichiro Inuyashiki is an elderly man, working for a company. One day, Ichiro Inuyashiki is involved in an explosion. When he regains consciousness, he discovers that he is now a cyborg with incredible powers. He decides to use his powers to help those in need. Meanwhile, Hiro Shishigami is a high school student. He was also involved in the same explosion and has gained the same the powers as Ichiro Inuyashiki. Hiro Shishigami decides to use his power to kill off all those who are hostile to him. Ichiro Inuyashiki attempts to save Japan from Ichiro Inuyashiki.

Well, got to admit that I’m only planning to see this because I can’t still make up my mind if I’ll watch the anime or not. If I liked the live action, then I’ll go check out the anime, too.

---

Misumisou

Synopsis:
Haruka Nozaki transfers to a new school, but she is bullied there. The only person on her side is her classmate Mitsuru Aiba. Haruka Nozaki endures the bullying because of Mitsuru Aiba. One day, a fire breaks out at her home. Her parents die and her younger sister is severely injured. Haruka Nozaki has an emotional breakdown and she begins to take revenge on those who are responsible.

This probably goes to my top 3 most anticipated movie for this year. It’s based on a psychological horror manga! I hope the movie will be able to adapt it well. And I hope someone will be kind enough to sub this.

---

I have high hopes that many of these will be subbed mainly because of some specific actors. But still hoping that I’ll be able to watch all. Hoping that Chihayafuru will be released in at least some of the theatres here, too!

Advertisement