In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Live-Action Film Announced for 2026

It has been announced that Mika Yamamori‘s popular manga “Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki” (In the Clear Moonlit Dusk) will be adapted into a live-action movie, which is scheduled to be released in fall 2026. The protagonist, Kohaku Ichimura, will be played by Shunsuke Michieda of Naniwa Danshi, while the heroine, Yoi Takiguchi, will be portrayed by Seira Anzai.

The original manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s Dessert magazine since 2020. It has won numerous awards, including first place in the “ebookjapan Manga Award 2023” and the grand prize in the “2nd Everyone’s Favorite Romance Manga Awards.” Ten volumes have been released so far, with total worldwide circulation surpassing 7.5 million copies. A TV anime adaptation began airing in January of this year.

Cover of the manga 'In the Clear Moonlit Dusk' featuring two male characters, one with short black hair and purple eyes, and the other with white hair and green eyes, set against a pink background.

Michieda will play Kohaku, the school’s most handsome boy known as the “Prince” for his flawless looks. Michieda, who is set to star in his first solo leading film role this March in “Kimi ga Saigo ni Nokoshita Uta,” continues to show remarkable momentum as a young actor. Riding that wave, this will mark his second solo film lead in the same year. For “Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki,” Michieda dyed his hair a beautiful platinum blonde to match his character’s appearance in the original work. With his natural translucence and princely aura, he brings out Kohaku‘s full charm—seemingly flirtatious on the surface, yet actually sincere at heart. After meeting Yoi, Kohaku faces his first serious love, and Michieda portrays his delicate emotional journey.

Opposite him, Anzai plays Yoi, a refined girl nicknamed “Prince” for her androgynous beauty and cool demeanor. This film marks Anzai‘s first time taking on the role of a heroine in a romance movie. With her mature yet boyish charm, she embodies Yoi‘s character and portrays her confusion and vulnerability as she experiences her first love. This is the pair’s first time co-starring.

As they struggle with the gap between their inner selves and how others perceive them, Kohaku and Yoi gradually confront what it means to be true to themselves, slowly closing the distance between them. This heartfelt coming-of-age love story is both sweet and delicately portrayed. Since its serialization began, readers have been captivated, praising the irresistible “Double Princes,” the beautiful artwork, and the careful depiction of the characters’ emotions.

Directing the film is Kentaro Takemura, who served as chief director on the dramas “Saionji-san wa Kaji o Shinai” (2024) and “Taigan no Kaji Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi!” (2025), and made his feature film directorial debut with “Kokan Uso Nikki” (2023). The screenplay is written by Yuichi Tokunaga, known for the “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War” series (2019, 2021), “Cells at Work!” (2024), and winner of the 43rd Japan Academy Prize for Best Screenplay for “Fly Me to the Saitama” (2019).

A teaser visual was also released, featuring the two “Princes” side by side in breathtaking beauty, along with the taglines reflecting their uncertainty about love:
“I don’t understand love.” (Kohaku)
“Love doesn’t suit me.” (Yoi). Though they appear confident, both characters possess hidden sensitivity and awkwardness. Anticipation is already building over how these two imperfect yet earnest individuals will weave their story together.

A promotional poster for the film 'In the Color of the Moon' featuring two close-up portraits of a young man and woman, with soft lighting and a dreamy aesthetic. The text in Japanese includes quotes about love, and the release date is noted as Autumn 2026.

Comments

Shunsuke Michieda

“I’ve read the original manga and was a fan, so I was really happy when I was cast! Kohaku may seem experienced in love, but he’s actually very pure, awkward, and not good at being honest. He’s incredibly cool, but that contrast creates a real gap in his personality. He seems used to girls, but that’s not the case at all. He’s a boy who discovers new sides of himself and rides an emotional roller coaster because of it. I think he has a very youthful charm. Anzai is such a bright person and really lifted the atmosphere on set, which supported me a lot. The Yoi she plays is very straightforward and captivating. I hope audiences will be excited by the misunderstandings and conflicts between these two ‘Princes’ and feel their hearts flutter, wondering, ‘What kind of expression will he make next?'”

Seira Anzai

“As a fan of the original manga—I get restless near each new volume’s release date and always go buy it at the bookstore on the day it comes out—I was truly honored to receive this offer. At the same time, it made me determined to approach the role sincerely. I kept thinking about how to express the beautiful world that Yamamori-sensei created through the screen. From Yoi’s appearance to her innocence and awkwardness in experiencing first love, and her princely demeanor despite being a girl, I worked through each scene carefully with the director and staff while revisiting the original work. The Kohaku portrayed by Michieda—his gestures, his gaze—felt exactly like Kohaku. Just when you think you understand him, he slips away, impossible to grasp. Being swayed by Kohaku’s pace was a key element in playing Yoi. The time I spent living as Yoi has become irreplaceable in my acting career. I hope this film will remain in the hearts of those who watch it.”

Director Kentaro Takemura

“I feel honored to bring Yamamori-sensei’s delicate and beautiful world to the screen. Both Michieda and Anzai have wonderfully portrayed the complex inner lives of Kohaku and Yoi, who are each called ‘Prince.’ I hope not only fans of the original work but also newcomers will come to the theater to see their earnest and straightforward human drama, and how they grow—awkwardly and painfully—along the way.”

Original Author Mika Yamamori

“I was very happy when I heard about the live-action adaptation. I was especially excited to see who would play Kohaku and Yoi. When I met Michieda and Anzai, so perfectly suited for a ‘Prince x Prince’ pairing, I remember being stunned by their overwhelming beauty and princely aura, to the point of blurting out, ‘Their faces are so small! Their legs are so slender!’ The production team has shown great understanding and sincerity toward the original work, so I am confident it will become a wonderful film. I truly hope this movie reaches many people.”