The popular horror-comedy manga “ Mieruko-chan ,” written by
Tomoki Izumi, is making the leap to the big screen with a live-action film
adaptation. The release is scheduled for summer 2025, with
actress Nanoka Hara (原菜乃華) playing the
protagonist Miko Yotsuya , a young girl who has the ability to see
terrifying spirits, but chooses to ignore them at all costs in her daily life.
“Mieruko-chan” began serialization in 2018 on
ComicWalker, and to date has 10 collected volumes. The work has reached an
impressive number of 85 million views on its digital platform and has sold more
than 3 million copies in Japan. In 2021, the story was adapted into an
anime series that helped consolidate its popularity, both inside and outside of
Japan.
Commenting on her involvement in the film, actress
Nanoka Hara expressed her excitement for the project: “ I was
immediately drawn into the story. The concept of a character facing terrifying
situations by simply ignoring the spirits is very fresh and made me laugh when
reading the script .” Hara also assured that although it is a
horror film, “ it will have hints of youth, comedy and human drama,
making it something completely new in the genre .”
The film will be directed and written by Yoshihiro
Nakamura (中村 義洋) , known for his
work on films such as “Yokokuhan (Prophecy)” and “Shinobi no Kuni,” and who has
also participated in horror projects such as “Dark Water (仄暗い水の底から).” Nakamura
highlighted Hara’s talent, saying, “ His ability to express terror
with just his eyes is impressive. This motivated me even more to create a film
that has not been seen before, an exceptional work within the genre .”
For his part, the manga’s author, Tomoki Izumi, showed
his enthusiasm for the live-action adaptation , mentioning
that he had mixed feelings at first, but that Nakamura’s involvement as
director filled him with confidence: “ When I heard that Nakamura
would be directing, my anticipation immediately grew. And when I met Hara on
set, I felt like I was seeing Miko herself in real life .” Izumi
concluded by saying that, as a fan of horror cinema, he is eager to see how
this adaptation will bring a new perspective to his work.
The story of “Mieruko-chan” has captivated fans thanks
to its unique blend of horror and comedy, focusing on how the protagonist faces
the paranormal with indifference rather than succumbing to fear. This
film promises to offer a new and exciting take on the original work, something
that fans of both the manga and anime are looking forward to, although not as
much as a second season.
Source: Comic Natalie
(c)2025『見える子ちゃん』製作委員会
