J-movie! Yuya Tegoshi, Maki Horikita & Kenichi Matsuyama in “Memories of A Teenage Amnesiac” Movie Adaptation

*Zevin’s “Memories of A Teenage Amnesiac”

The three will be starring in “Nakushita Kioku”, directed by Hans Canosa. Based on Gabrielle Zevin’s “Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac”, translated in Japanese as “The Story of Lost memory”, the movie is about highschool student Naomi (Maki Horikita) who loses her memory in a school accident. The original novel is set in an American school, but the movie had been adjusted to take place in an international school in Japan.

*cover of the Japanese translation: “The Story of Lost Memory”

Yuya Tegoshi will be playing the role of Mirai (Will in the original story), Naomi’s bestfriend, while Kenichi Matsuyama will be Yugi (James in the novel), the boy with a questionable past who ‘saves’ Naomi. Joining them in the cast are Hollywood actors Emma Roberts and Anton Yelchin. Filming started last November 2008 and it will be released (hopefully) this coming September.

*Magazine scans of scenes from the filming.

Quotes from Ms. Zevin:

The funny thing for me is, aside from the cast consisting of amazing Japanese actors*, pretty much all of it looks exactly like I pictured it. (Though, hey, I never specifically imagined Naomi et al as NOT Japanese either.) So yeah, we have those pesky steps! That brooding handsome dude! That short haircut! Devoted readers will note that James/Yugi rides a motorcycle in this version. You may also note the presence of a Caucasian guy in a — sigh! — trucker hat. This is Hans. (Many thanks to all who commented with well wishes by the way; we both enjoyed hearing from you!)

Incidentally, I’ve also watched a finished scene — Naomi and James/Yugi sled down the steps — and not to disparage the book, but in my opinion, it’s better than the book. Incredibly romantic.

…….
Okay, I know me is being a loser for only finding about this now… but still.. YAY! Yuya tegoshi, Kenichi Matsuyama and Maki Horikita in a movie?!

*be still my fangirl heart* XD

Anyway, I’ve read an excerpt of the novel here and so far the story sound really promising. I can totally imagine Kenichi in the role of Yugi/James. XD

Here’s a link for an audio clip of the novel.

Can’t wait for this movie!

Sources: Memoirs of A Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin