| Initiation Love | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| イニシエーション・ラブ | |
| Directed by | Yukihiko Tsutsumi |
| Based on | Initiation Love by Kurumi Inui |
| Starring | Atsuko Maeda Shota Matsuda Fumino Kimura |
Production company | Office Crescendo |
| Distributed by | Toho |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Box office | ¥1.31 billion (Japan) |
Initiation Love (Japanese: イニシエーション・ラブ) is a Japanese romance film directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. It was released in Japan on May 23, 2015.[1]
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Kurumi Inui, both of which feature a significant twist at the very end.
Plot
In 80s Japan, awkward college student Suzuki stumbles into fate's embrace with Mayu, a dazzling dental hygienist. Their love blossoms, a bright spark in Suzuki's small beach town. But dreams beckon him to Tokyo, forcing their love into the perilous terrain of long distance. The miles stretch, insecurities sprout, and doubts whisper. Miyako, a chic Tokyo colleague, fills the void, blurring the lines of friendship and temptation. Secrets ignite and unravel, forcing Suzuki to confront a heartbreaking truth: can his love bridge the gap between dreams and Mayu's happiness? Their paths diverge, teetering between a future together and a bittersweet acceptance of separate journeys. Will their love weather the storms of distance, temptation, and self-discovery, or will they be swept apart by the tide of life? Only time will tell if their initiation into love leads them to a shared shore, or leaves them clinging to the memories of a love lost to the waves of change.
Cast
- Atsuko Maeda as Mayuko "Mayu" Naruoka[2]
- Kanro Morita as Suzuki from Side A [3]
- Shota Matsuda as Suzuki[4] (also known as Takkun)[2]
- Fumino Kimura as Miyako Ishimaru[5]
- Takahiro Miura as Kaido[5]
- Tomoya Maeno[5]
- Noritake Kinashi as Shizuoka Branch Manager[5]
- Satomi Tezuka as Shiho Ishimaru[5]
- Tsurutaro Kitaoka as Kouki Ishimaru[5]
- Miyabi Matsuura as Natsuko
- Ayako Yoshitani as Yuko
- Ryô Satô as Madoka
Reception
As of June 14, 2015, the film had grossed ¥1.05 billion at the Japanese box office.[6]
On Film Business Asia, Derek Elley gave the film an 8 out of 10 and called it a "well-cast, slickly entertaining '80s rom-com [that] has more than just its Big Twist."[7]
References
- ↑ イニシエーション・ラブ(2015). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- 1 2 "映画『イニシエーション・ラブ』". Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- ↑ "MORITA KANRO Profile". Cube Inc. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ↑ "Initiation Love". Nippon TV Program Licensing Catalog. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "映画『イニシエーション・ラブ』". Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- ↑ Kevin Ma (June 18, 2015). "Idol anime is surprise Japan box office hit". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ↑ Derek Elley (June 5, 2015). "Initiation Love". Film Business Asia. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- Initiation Love at IMDb