The excitement for the upcoming live-action movie based on Wataru Momose’s beloved manga, Romantic Killer, has reached new heights with the release of its main trailer! This captivating preview not only offers a glimpse into Anzu Hoshino’s romantically chaotic journey but also features three distinct and vibrant theme songs, each performed by one of Japan’s most popular male idol groups.
Fans can look forward to a powerful musical lineup: Naniwa Danshi contributes the “Miracle Theme Song” titled “Never Romantics,” INI delivers the “Aoharu Theme Song” with “True Love,” and FANTASTICS rounds it out with the “Kyunlove Theme Song,” “Zutto Zutto.” These tracks promise to add an extra layer of energy and emotion to the film’s narrative.
Accompanying the trailer, a striking new main poster visual has been unveiled, boldly declaring, “Bring it on, Japan’s Romantic,” perfectly encapsulating the movie’s playful yet challenging spirit.
Adding to the stellar cast, ten more talented actors have been announced for key roles: Hikaru Takahashi as the wizard Riri Fushiki, with Shunsuke Ito lending his voice as Oswald, the voice of Riri. Juri Uesaka joins as Anzu’s friend Saki Takamine, while Kasumi Mori takes on the role of the mysterious woman, Yukana Kishi. Riki Honda plays Anzu’s homeroom teacher, and Hyuga Todod steps in as Sawada, Anzu’s part-time job leader at the convenience store. The magic world’s narrator and referee will be voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda, with Shuichiro Naito as the mysterious genius boy, Yudai Toyoda as the mysterious bicycle boy, and Terunosuke Takezai as Koganei’s butler, Tsuchiya.
Directed by Tsutomu Hanabusa, known for his work on popular live-action adaptations such as No Longer Heroine (2015), Kakegurui (2019), Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020), Tokyo Revengers (2021), and Mr. Osomatsu (2022), the Romantic Killer live-action movie is set to debut in Japan on December 12, 2025.
The film stars Moka Kamishiraishi (who also portrayed Eiko Tsukimi in the Ya Boy Kongming! live-action series) as the protagonist, Anzu Hoshino. Anzu is a high school girl with zero interest in romance, whose life is suddenly turned upside down and forced into a series of romantic entanglements. Her potential romantic interests are played by members of the featured idol groups: Kyohei Takahashi from Naniwa Danshi as Tsukasa Kazuki, Masaya Kimura from INI as Junta Hayami, and Sota Nakajima from FANTASTICS as Hijiri Koganei.
Wataru Momose’s original Romantic Killer manga achieved significant acclaim, winning the grand prize of the second “Jump Vertical Scroll Manga Award” from Shueisha. It was serialized in Shonen Jump+ from 2019 to 2020, compiling into four tankobon volumes. The manga also inspired a successful 12-episode anime adaptation, which premiered on Netflix in October 2022.
VIZ Media, the English publisher of the manga, perfectly summarizes Anzu’s predicament: “Anzu must play along in this altered reality before she can return to her normal life, so she begrudgingly makes friends with Tsukasa Kazuki. He unfortunately happens to be one of the hottest and most popular guys at school, and what’s worse, she realizes that he might not even be that bad of a person!” This sets the stage for a delightful and unconventional romantic comedy that promises to charm audiences.