NON took the stage at the commemorative stage greeting for the film “After the Quake.” “Kakeru-kun is a role that brings salvation. It's a huge responsibility, but I decided to give it my best shot.”
NON took the stage for the commemorative stage greeting marking the release of the film “After the Quake.”
The venue was packed to capacity. Yui Narumi, Daichi Watanabe, Koichi Sato, NON, and director Tsuyoshi Inoue took the stage. They reflected on their first time working together and shared anecdotes about developing their characters, revealing behind-the-scenes stories from the set, including their struggles with nature and the challenges of portraying the character “Kaweru-kun.”
They also discussed their encounter with the original work and the background behind its adaptation at this 30-year milestone, touching on the expansive interpretations unique to Haruki Murakami's works.
The venue was filled with warm laughter and applause throughout, creating an atmosphere brimming with anticipation for the film.
【Opening Commemoration Stage Greeting Event Report】
The film “After the Quake,” based on the short story collection “Children of the Sea” by author Haruki Murakami, has finally opened nationwide!
On October 4th, the day after its premiere, an opening commemoration stage greeting was held at Theatre Shinjuku, featuring cast members Yui Narumi, Daichi Watanabe, Koichi Sato, Non, and director Tsuyoshi Inoue.
Before a packed house, Director Inoue explained the journey of adapting this 25-year-old collection of linked short stories into a film set in 2025:
“This year marks 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. I had previously made a drama and film based on that disaster. After a long time had passed, I wondered if I could do something this year and discussed it. The producer then gave me the original novel. It was something I had referenced when making a film about the earthquake back then, so I felt a connection.”
Koichi Sato, who co-starred with the over 2-meter-tall “Kakeru-kun” in Kabukicho, stated: “When the director first gave me my part to read, it was gibberish—I couldn't make heads or tails of it. But after reading the original novel, I thought, ‘Ah, I see!’” He marveled at the film's unique magical realism. Regarding Non, who voiced Kaeru-kun, he praised, "I wondered what kind of resolve she'd bring to the role, but I sensed she herself realized ‘this isn't it’ and kept refining it. By the end, Kaeru-kun = Non. I thought, ‘She really gave it her all,’ and it was fantastic."
Non, who voiced Kakeru-kun, stated, “It was my first time playing a frog role, so I was surprised by what kind of voice it would be. After reading the original work, I felt Kakeru-kun was a character who brings salvation, and though it was unexpectedly a huge responsibility, I decided to give it my best shot.”
Having built a relationship with Director Inoue through the morning drama series “Amachan,” she reported, “I was greatly supported by him on that project, so that connection made me feel secure about diving into this. It was unmistakably Inoue's world, and he directed it with his usual lighthearted, bright touch, so the voice recording was a lot of fun.” She was able to voice the character freely and comfortably.
The film “After the Quake” is now playing to rave reviews at theaters including Theatre Shinjuku and Cine Switch Ginza!
■Movie ‘After the Quake’ 90-Second Trailer [Opening Friday, October 3rd]
■Outline of the work
Title：After the Quake
Cast：
Masaki Okada, Yui Narumi, Daichi Watanabe／Koichi Sato
Ai Hashimoto, Erika Karata, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Kodai Kurosaki, Soya Kurokawa, Kanji Tsuda,
Haruka Igawa, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, NON, Ryo Nishikido,／Shinichi Tsutsumi
Director: Tsuyoshi Inoue
Screenplay: Takamasa Oe
Music: Yoshihide Otomo
Producer: Teruhisa Yamamoto, Kei Krube
Associate Producer: Mitsuhiro Kyota, Satoko Nakagawa
Based on Haruki Murakami's “After the Quake” (Shincho Bunko)
Production：chiaroscuro Co., Ltd.,NHK,NHK Enterprises, Inc.
Production Company：chiaroscuro Co., Ltd.
Distribution and Advertising：Bitters End, Inc.
©2025 Chiaroscuro / NHK / NHK Enterprises, Inc.
Official X：@ATQ_movie #AftertheQuake
Official WEB Site:https://www.bitters.co.jp/ATQ/
