The Live-Action Whisper of the Heart Arrives This October

One of my favorite Studio Ghibli titles is Yoshifumi Kondō’s Whisper of the Heart, which was released back in 1995. The coming-of-age drama follows a young girl named Shizuku who dreams of becoming an author, and her burgeoning friendship with a young musician named Seiji. The movie’s filled with some delightful twists and turns as well as some truly stunning imagery (read my review).

Back in 2020, I wrote about a planned live-action sequel to the original manga that Studio Ghibli had adapted for their film. Then COVID happened, shutting down the film’s production. But two years later, the film is finally finished, and the first teaser has been released along with more details about its storyline. Crunchyroll reports that the live-action Whisper of the Heart will actually consist of two parts, one based on Aoi Hiiragi’s original manga and one set ten years later that catches up with the adult Shizuku and Seiji.

The live-action Whisper of the Heart, which is directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa (The Promised Neverland) and stars Nana Seino and Touri Matsuzaka, will arrive in Japanese theaters on October 14, 2022.