Kaoru Fukazawa is a manga artist. His manga series was published for eight years, but has now finished. He doesn't have any ideas for his next work. His situation seems bleak, with his editor seeming to not care about him anymore and his relationship with his wife Nozomi Machida being troubled. He spends his days in despair and darkness. Kaoru visits a business that provides sexual services and meets a prostitute named Chifuyu, who attracts him. They decide to head to Chifuyu's hometown together.
Acting
Takumi Saitoh's hollowed-out stare says everything words can't.
Cinematography
Neon-drenched nights give way to harsh rural daylight beautifully.
Writing
Adapts its manga source with uncomfortable, lived-in authenticity.
Director
Naoto Takenaka
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Naoto Takenaka is primarily known as a comedian; this marked his dramatic pivot.
The manga industry crisis depicted mirrors real 2020s collapses in Japanese print media.
JP
