Blue

Completed2002Japan116 min

Kayako’s school life in a quiet Japanese coastal town changes when she grows close to classmate Masami. Their connection offers a way to imagine…Read more +Read less −

Kayako’s school life in a quiet Japanese coastal town changes when she grows close to classmate Masami. Their connection offers a way to imagine a future beyond familiar routines, while the uncertainties of adolescence make every gesture difficult to interpret. As friendship becomes romantic longing, Kayako has to confront the gap between wanting to remain close and accepting that another person may want something different. Adapted from Kiriko Nananan’s manga, this restrained coming-of-age drama traces intimacy through conversations, distance and the choices that follow school. Its focus is the emotional force of a first attachment, rather than a promise that growing up will make desire easier to understand.

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Drama Romance

Sapphic characters & cast

Mikako Ichikawa

as Kayako Kirishima

Main sapphic character

Performer publicity portrait via Rotten Tomatoes; photographer/rights unverified

Manami Konishi

as Masami Endo

Main sapphic character

Performer publicity portrait via Rotten Tomatoes; photographer/rights unverified

YOUR FIRST LOOK

Watch the trailer

Watch trailer on mubi.com ↗

BEHIND THE SCENES

Details & credits

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Premiere: 2003-03-29
Runtime: 116 minutes

Film publicity artwork via Rotten Tomatoes; rights unverified

Artwork source & permission status

Editorial review approved — rights not independently confirmed

Film publicity artwork via Rotten Tomatoes; rights unverified

Original publication ↗

Sources & editorial notes (3)

Last researched 2026-11-03. Editorially approved.

year: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
genres: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
status: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
country: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
language: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
description: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
trailer url: Exact film MUBI trailer page with nonempty film-specific trailer asset; checked 2026-11-03
western cast: Exact film cast and character / selected release reference; namesake and edition checks in notes
premiere date: Exact film cast and character / selected release reference; namesake and edition checks in notes
runtime minutes: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
representation type: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03