We learned in December 2024 that the manga series Gazing at the Star Next Door is the next property making the leap to a live-action film. The film is planned for a summer 2025 debut through TOHO. The project has Hana Matsumoto directing it from the screenplay by Sawaka Kawamitsu.
While we await updates on that property, the original manga is getting some new attention to help raise awareness of it and the film with it getting the cover of the 2/2025 installment of Bessatsu Friends magazine. The manga is continuing to do well as it has 900,000 copies in circulation in print and digital so far.
The Japanese cast includes:
- Riko Fukumoto as Chiaki
- Yūsei Yagi as Subaru
Known originally as Tonari no Stella, it began in 2022 by Ammitsu which is serialized in Bessatsu Friend for Kodansha. It has seven volumes as of the announcement and is ongoing.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: Chiaki is a pretty normal teenage girl. Since they were kids, she’s had a thing for her best friend Subaru—who’s fast becoming the hottest young actor in Japan! With Subaru threatening to slip away, Chiaki has a decision to make: Will she finally take her shot, or give Subaru up to his adoring public?
