You, Like a Star (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

You, Like a Star follows Kai Aono, a student from Kyoto who transfers to an island in the Seto Inland Sea and falls for Akimi Inoue, a local teenager. Their relationship grows amid personal circumstances that eventually force them to confront a difficult choice.

You, Like a Star is a Japanese drama romance centered on two high school students whose lives intersect on a scenic island in the Seto Inland Sea. The story begins when Kai Aono moves there from Kyoto and meets Akimi Inoue, a girl born and raised on the island.

Directed by Michihito Fujii and written by Naoko Adachi, the film is based on a novel or book. Its central premise combines a new beginning, a local setting and a romance shaped by the circumstances surrounding both young people.

You, Like a Star movie details

Story without spoilers

Kai Aono is a high school student who transfers from Kyoto to an island in the Seto Inland Sea. There, he meets Akimi Inoue, another high school student who was born on the island and lives with her mother. The two develop feelings for each other, but their relationship is placed under pressure by the paths and circumstances of their lives. Without revealing how that conflict develops, the film frames their romance around a significant choice they must eventually face.

What to expect

The supplied premise points to a character-focused drama romance built around a teenage relationship. The island setting provides the story with a clear sense of place, while the contrast between Kai’s arrival from Kyoto and Akimi’s connection to the island shapes their first meeting. Viewers can expect the film to focus on romance, personal circumstances and the difficult decisions that emerge as the story progresses. It is also an adaptation of a novel or book.

Cast and creative team

Ryusei Yokohama plays Kai Aono, with Suzu Hirose as Akimi Inoue. The cast also includes Hokuto Matsumura as Naoto Kuzumi, Anne Nakamura as Eri Nikaidō, Gaku Hamada as Jūshi Ueki, Machiko Ono as Honoka Aono, Yoshino Kimura as Shiho Inoue, Yuriko Ishida as Tōko Hayashi and Hiroki Hasegawa as Sōsuke Kitahara. Michihito Fujii directs, and Naoko Adachi is the writer.

• Ryusei Yokohama as Kai Aono
• Suzu Hirose as Akimi Inoue
• Hokuto Matsumura as Naoto Kuzumi
• Anne Nakamura as Eri Nikaidō
• Gaku Hamada as Jūshi Ueki
• Machiko Ono as Honoka Aono
• Yoshino Kimura as Shiho Inoue
• Yuriko Ishida as Tōko Hayashi
• Hiroki Hasegawa as Sōsuke Kitahara

Release and production context

You, Like a Star is a Japanese production from TOHO Studios and Dragonfly Entertainment. It is in Japanese and is scheduled for release on October 9, 2026. The supplied information lists its status as Released, while no runtime is provided. The film is categorized as Drama and Romance.

Production companies: TOHO Studios, Dragonfly Entertainment

Movies Dock view

With its island setting and story of two teenagers facing a consequential choice, You, Like a Star presents a straightforward romance framework with a strong emphasis on circumstance and place. The available details establish the central relationship and creative team without revealing the outcome of Kai and Akimi’s story.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb