Rin Mikimoto's shōjo manga series Kin Kyori Renai will get a live-action film adaptation this October starring former NEWS group member Tomohisa Yamashita. Yamashita (Kurosagi, Dragon Zakura, Ikebukuro West Gate Park, Ashita no Joe) will star in the film as a tsundere (initially aloof and abrasive, but later kind-hearted) teacher named Haruka Sakurai.
The original manga depicts the love story between the handsome tsundere teacher Haruka and the super cool genius female high school student Yuni Kururugi. Haruka toys with every woman he sees — including Yuni — striking a balance between his cold demeanor and harsh language and actions that make women's hearts throb. Mikimoto launched the series in Kodansha's Bessatsu Friend magazine in 2008, and Kodansha published the 10th and final compiled volume in 2011.
Commercial actress Nana Komatsu is making her film debut as Yuni. Nozomu Kotaki (Kamen Teacher) will play Ikuhaba, a former delinquent and Yuni's classmate who is also in love with her. Mizuki Yamamoto (Black Butler, Zekkyō Gakkyū) will play Kikuko Nanami, Yuni's classmate and the only one who understands her. Additionally, Asami Mizukawa (Nodame Cantabile, Dark Water) will play Sakurai's ex-girlfriend Mirei Takizawa, and Hirofumi Arai (live-action Space Brothers, Kiki's Delivery Service) will play Yuni's cousin and Haruka's fellow teacher Akachi.
Live-action Kimi ni Todoke director Naoto Kumazawa is directing the film, which will open in Japan on October 11.
ANN