NON took the stage alongside Shota Yasuda and director Seitaro Kobayashi for a stage greeting to celebrate the release of the film *Parallel and Vertical*.

To commemorate the release of the film *Parallel and Vertical*, a stage greeting was held on Saturday, August 29, at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where Shota Yasuda, NON, and director Seitaro Kobayashi took the stage together.

In his opening remarks, Yasuda—greeted by warm applause from the audience about to watch the film—beamed from ear to ear and said, “I’m Shota Yasuda, the ‘Happy’ one!”
In response, NON greeted the audience by saying, “I’m NON, the ‘calm’ one (laughs),” while Director Kobayashi, after a moment’s thought, introduced himself from an unexpected angle: “I’m Kobayashi, the ‘pessimist’ (wry smile),” causing the venue to erupt in laughter.

Yasuda, who had been involved since the planning stages, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel a sense of relief that we can finally share this with everyone.” NON also spoke about how taking on the role of Nozomi had brought about a change in herself.

“I realized I had come to take my family’s support for granted,” she revealed, sharing the insights she gained through the role. “I’ve become better at sincerely saying ‘thank you’ and I’ve started saying ‘that’s delicious’ out loud more often than before.”

The two actors who played siblings in this film. Reflecting on her collaboration with NON, Yasuda said, “It’s acting, so it’s all part of the performance, but I don’t think the bond of trust between us is part of the performance. I think the essence of this movie lies in the fact that when I trust my co-star and am genuinely moved by what they convey, my own heart is moved as well”—revealing that they were connected by a trust that went beyond acting.

NON also reflected, “The time I spent acting with Mr. Yasuda remains with me as something truly precious. When I looked at the expressions of Daiki, played by Mr. Yasuda, I felt as if my emotions as Nozomi were welling up inside me—I was so happy that I wanted to relive that experience all over again.”

Director Kobayashi also revealed that, rather than rigidly planning every interaction between the two, he trusted them and let them take the lead, cheerfully reflecting, “I felt like I was watching from beside the camera as the number one audience member.”

During the talk, in keeping with Daiki’s meticulous personality, there was a segment where each panelist shared their own “pet peeves.”

NON revealed, “I’m particular about my curtains—I use blackout ones,” and had the audience in stitches with the anecdote, “I used to be called ‘Mole.’”

Next, when asked about moments during filming when they thought, “I can’t compete with this!” Yasuda said, “There are times when he’ll suddenly blurt out something like ‘Mole’—just like he did just now (laughs). It’s funny how those killer one-liners just pop out of nowhere. I can’t compete with that.”

On the other hand, NON spoke with deep respect, saying, “Yasuda-san really communicates with everyone on set and boosts morale. I realized that’s something I truly lack, so I watched him every day with admiration. I think he’s someone who accepts both the harsh and beautiful aspects of things, considers them objectively, and puts them into words—and I don’t think that’s something just anyone can do.”

最後にのんは「大貴と希の物語が自分の中にあることで、皆さんのこれからが豊かになっていったらいいなと思っています。ぜひじっくりご覧ください」と、あたたかいメッセージで舞台挨拶を締めくくりました。

映画『平行と垂直』は全国公開中です。

 

 

<Story>
Daiki, who has autism spectrum disorder, and his younger sister Nozomi, who has supported her brother since they were children. The siblings lost their mother at a young age and, keeping their distance from their father—who tended to neglect them—have been doing their best to get by on their own.

Daiki hardly speaks and his facial expressions rarely change. Having moved out of a group home to live on his own with the goal of becoming independent, Daiki follows his own set of rules. He is so meticulous and particular that he arranges everything in parallel and perpendicular lines, carefully aligning even the tableware on his desk. His weekly dinner with Nozomi is always at 7:00 p.m. sharp. If it’s even one minute late, he becomes restless.

Nozomi, who works as a counselor, has received a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Though she harbors a hint of anxiety, she decides to travel to Tokyo with her brother to meet her fiancé’s parents...

 

<Cast & Crew>
Shota Yasuda, NON
Kuu Ishima, Tomohiro Takayama, Mizuki Tanimura, Tenkyu Fukuda, Makoto Ashikawa, Saori, Maki Kubota
Sora Kawano, Koki Takada, Nagi Muto, Hideyo Hayashi / Misuzu Kamino, Daikichi Sugawara

Director: Shotaro Kobayashi
Original Story & Screenplay: Umi Yamano
Music: Harumi Tomiki
Theme Song: Uki featuring Shota Yasuda “Let’s Talk”

Planning: Shota Yasuda; Planning & Production: Gen Sato

Producers: Hideaki Kashizaki, Shingo Takeshita
Director of Photography: Ryo Otsuka
Lighting: Isamu Fujii;
Art Director: Fumiaki Suzaka
Sound Recording: Kosuke Saijo
Script Supervisor: Emi Kawano

Editor: Ryuji Miyajima; Stylist: Shinobu Yamazaki
Hair and Makeup: Yu Yamai
Assistant Director: Manabu Kigawa
Production Manager: Morihiro Tsuchida
Casting: Naoya Ito

Publicity Producer: Kyoko Maruyama
ASD Consultants: Masatsugu Tsujii, Yoko Iba, Akinori Ukai

Produced by: “Parallel and Vertical” Production Committee (Toei Video, Asmik Ace, Media Pulpo, Chukyo TV, TV Osaka, Storm Labels, Lawson, Toei CM)
Production Company: Central Arts
Production Manager & Distributor: Toei Video
Filming Support: Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Research Cooperation: Sakuranbo Classroom, NPO Aspe-Elde no Kai, Specified Nonprofit Corporation PDD Support Center Green Forest
Supported by: Japan Developmental Disabilities Network, Japan Autism Society

©2026 “Parallel and Vertical” Production Committee
Official Website:https://www.toei-video.co.jp/heikoutosuichoku/