On March 3, 2025, actresses Suzu Hirose (26), Hana Sugisaki (27), and Kaya Kiyohara (23) celebrated the completion of their film 'Kataomoi Sekai' at a special event held in Tokyo. Directed by Yasuhiro Taga and set to release on April 4, the film encapsulates the lives of three women who share their lives and dreams under one roof, creating deep and unexpressed connections.
Hirose, reflecting on the film's progression from inception to completion, shared her eagerness for audiences to experience the film. "After receiving the offer for this project, we three went out for dinner together, and I realized today—two years have passed since then. That time has always been with me; I hope fans will enjoy watching it soon," she expressed with genuine emotion.
Sugisaki added to her sentiment by emphasizing her joy at becoming part of such wonderful talent. "I received this role three or four years ago, and it really has flown by! Being able to joke and share such strong bonds now is incredible. I feel deeply moved knowing our film is almost here for the audience," she exclaimed.
Kiyohara also expressed her gratitude and delight about the film's impending release. "Standing here today with my beloved cast, director, and staff emphasizes the rarity of such opportunities to create and share films like this one. It warms my heart knowing this work will gently embrace each viewer’s unexpressed love and serve as motivation for their forward progression," she stated.
This unique story examines the intricacies of human relationships, weaving together the lives of three women, Miyabi (Hirose), Yuka (Sugisaki), and Sakura (Kiyohara), who are not classmates or family but instead share life experiences and deep emotional bonds. They navigate their own unexpressed feelings for their loved ones, embarking on heartfelt actions to reach out, symbolizing the conflict of wanting to convey affection without the ability to do so.
Director Taga remarked on the off-screen connection the actresses cultivated during filming, noting, "Every time I turned around, they were always together. The three main characters have lived closely for twelve years, but we don’t show this time passage on screen. I think they were weaving their own history, trying to fill the blank spaces of those twelve years together. The happiness on-screen resonates with the audience because it was genuinely felt off-screen too!"
Hirose’s character Miyabi, who plays the eldest among the trio, involved embracing familial roles throughout filming. "I envisioned Miyabi taking on various family roles—nurturing and supportive, yet youthful to coexist among them," she mentioned.
Sugisaki shared how much of her character's finding her rhythm was inspired by those around her. "Yuka is so unique with her own interests, willing to step boldly where few dare. Those moments were precious because we always worked closely during shooting," she noted.
The feelings of loss among the trio were palpable on the day of the event. Sugisaki reflected on the abrupt end of shooting, "I was startled at the sudden shift when filming wrapped; it felt surreal—as if those daily interactions were mere dreams. I felt strong pangs of loss. It's hard not to miss the warmth of those memories we shared."
The event featured live performances by the Kasazaki Children’s Choir, which added to the emotional atmosphere with the theme song 'Koe wa Kaze.' Hirose was visibly moved by the performance, stating, "The pure and heartfelt delivery of the song took us back to the moments spent filming, and I found it hard not to be touched deeply."
According to Sugisaki, the song encapsulated the film’s essence—creating connections and evoking warmth. "It truly was magnificent—the message about life came through so strongly and positively, cleansing our hearts," she remarked.
Kiyohara mentioned her commitment to sharing the importance of unexpressed love through the performance, concluding with, "We invite everyone to watch 'Kataomoi Sekai' and reflect on their own journeys of unfulfilled love."
Scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on April 4, the film invites audiences to explore the intricacies of human emotions—a heartfelt promise to resonate with all who dare to embrace their feelings.
All three actresses expressed their hopes for the film and its impact on viewers, echoing the teamwork and dedication involved throughout the process. Their genuine connections off-screen translate to undeniable chemistry on-screen, generating excitement for the film’s release impending just weeks away.