

Mei has been in love with Yuya all her life. They've grown up together. But when they reach their second year of middle school, Yuya suddenly professes his love for her older sister, Haruna.
Acting
Nao Minamisawa's silent suffering face—devastating.
Cinematography
Soft-focus cherry blossoms framing every rejection.
Score
Piano motifs that weaponize your tear ducts.

Director
Shosuke Murakami
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title references akai ito, East Asian folklore about invisible red threads connecting destined lovers—ironic given who's connected to whom.
Junpei Mizobata was 19 playing 14; his later breakout in 'Buzzer Beat' made this early melodrama a collector's item for fans.