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| Cinemacafe |
Get ready for a story that’ll hit you right in the feels — and make you question what it really means to live someone else’s life. Yoshine Kyoko and Takahashi Kaito are teaming up for the very first time in the upcoming film Kimi no Kao de wa Nakenai/君の顔では泣けない (I Can’t Cry With Your Face), hitting cinemas across Japan this November 2025.
And yep, it’s got all the right ingredients: heart-swapping, life-shaping, and tear-jerking drama with a touch of fantasy.
A Summer Splash That Changed Everything
Based on Kimijima Kanata’s buzzworthy debut novel (which took off like wildfire back in 2021), the story kicks off during the summer of first year in high school.
Two teens — Riku Sakahira (played by Yoshine Kyoko) and Manami Mizumura (Takahashi Kaito) — accidentally fall into a pool together and wake up… in each other’s bodies.
Classic? Sure.
But here’s the twist: they don’t switch back.
For fifteen whole years, Riku lives as Manami, and Manami as Riku.
And we’re not just talking about a few high school hurdles.
They go through uni, first loves, full-on adult jobs, marriage, parenthood, even loss — all while stuck in the other’s skin.
Fast forward to the summer they both turn 30, and Manami drops the bomb: “I think I’ve figured out how we can go back.”
But after everything… do they even want to?
The Cast: Crossing Lines, Living Lives
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| Cinemacafe |
Yoshine takes on the role of Riku — a quiet, honest soul who never quite settles into being Manami, but does their best to keep it together.
Meanwhile, Takahashi Kaito plays Manami, now living life as Riku — navigating the world with a brave face while hiding the truth of who she really is.
It’s a casting move that’s already sparking buzz, and both actors have opened up about just how intense the journey was.
“Fifteen years as someone else. What does that do to a person? It’s a story about trying to live with honesty, even when the world won’t let you,” Yoshine shared.
Takahashi added:
“There’s a quiet pain the two of them carry, and it lingers through the years. But that pain becomes part of their strength. I imagined every day of those 15 years while playing this role.”
Behind the Scenes: The Vision and the Challenge
Directed and written by Yuichiro Sakashita (Kessen wa Nichiyoubi), the film plays in that delicate space between realism and fantasy, never shying away from the emotional complexity of its premise.
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| Yuichiro Sakashita |
Sakashita admitted that bringing such a unique story to life was no easy feat — but said it was the lead actors who unlocked it.
“Yoshine brings raw sincerity to Riku’s struggle, and Takahashi captures Manami’s bittersweet grace with every movement,” he said. “Together, they’ve created something truly special.”
Producer Keisuke Konishi backed that up, saying:
“They weren’t just acting — they lived as Riku and Manami. From tiny gestures to full emotional arcs, their performances are full of care, tension, and quiet beauty.”
Even Kimijima Kanata, the original author, gave it their full seal of approval:
“It’s a film made with real love for the story. Watching it, I felt moved beyond words. I’m its biggest fan — and I know it’ll stay with you too.”
Mark Your Calendar
Whether you’re into body swap dramas or just love a good cry-at-the-cinema moment, Kimi no Kao de wa Nakenai is shaping up to be one of those films that sticks with you.
Expect a slow burn, a lot of heart, and maybe even a new perspective on what it means to be yourself — or someone else.
Nationwide release: November 2025. Bring tissues. Lots of them.