'I Can't Yet Say That Today the Sky is the Best' Casting Behind the Scenes

Ahead of its release on November 26, 〈I Can't Yet Say That Today the Sky is the Best〉 has revealed the casting behind the scenes featuring actors Kawai Yumi, Hagiwara Riku, and Ito Aoi.

The new film by director Ooku Akiko, 〈I Can't Yet Say That Today the Sky is the Best〉, has garnered early interest with a lineup of next-generation actors representing Japan, including Kawai Yumi, Hagiwara Riku, and Ito Aoi. The production team identified the key criterion for casting as "above all, someone who acts well," stating, "The lead actors have quite long lines, and if that part doesn't work, I thought this movie would fail." They praised the actors' abilities to perfectly deliver lengthy dialogues, adding credibility to the work. In particular, Kawai Yumi, who plays the role of 'Sakurada,' who appears confident but is afraid to reveal her true self, had previously collaborated with the director in the drama 〈It's Not That We Loved Because We Are Family, But We Are Family Because We Loved〉. The director expressed, "It was a stroke of luck to be able to work together. It was very easy to work with her because I knew when she shines the most." He also praised Hagiwara Riku, who plays 'Tooru,' a character who begins to see the world differently because of 'Sakurada,' saying, "When I conveyed the directorial intent on set, he said without hesitation, 'Understood.' And he truly understood." Additionally, regarding Ito Aoi, who plays 'Satchan,' who has a crush on 'Tooru,' the director shared, "Since I saw him in the movie 〈Disappearance〉, I thought I wanted to work with him. When the casting was decided, I felt a deep sense of relief."

This work, featuring Japan's next-generation actors, has been invited to the competition section of the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival, recognizing its artistic value. Furthermore, actor Hagiwara Riku has proven his acting skills by winning the Best New Actor Award at the 17th TAMA Film Awards, which boasted a glamorous lineup of winners including Yoshizawa Ryo, Hirose Suzu, and Kurokawa Soya, further heightening expectations for the film.