The novel All the Lovers in the Night by acclaimed author Mieko Kawakami will be adapted into a feature film scheduled for release in 2026. This marks the first time Kawakami’s long-form fiction has been brought to the screen. Since its publication in 2011, the book has sold over 400,000 copies in Japan and attracted international attention, earning Kawakami a nomination in the novel category at the National Society of Film Critics Awards in the U.S., and landing on TIME magazine’s “100 Must-Read Books of 2022.”
The story centers on Fuyuko Irie, a freelance proofreader who has lived in isolation, avoiding deep connections with others. Her life begins to change when she meets Mitsuka, an older physics teacher, and gradually forms a bond that challenges her solitude and forces her to confront her own emotions.
The film stars Yukino Kishii as Fuyuko and Tadanobu Asano as Mitsuka, marking their first on-screen collaboration, which aims to capture the delicate emotional distance between the characters. The project is directed and written by Yukiko Sode, who returns to feature filmmaking for the first time in five years since Oh, My Noblesse.
Comments from Kishii, Asano, Sode, and Kawakami have been released to mark the film’s adaptation announcement.
Yukino Kishii
“I’ve always loved Mieko Kawakami’s novels and often talk about them publicly. All the Lovers in the Night felt so complete that I was nervous about the idea of it being adapted into a film—or about stepping into Fuyuko’s shoes myself. But when this story comes to life on screen, I wanted to be there as her.It took a lot of trial and error to move beyond the images formed in my mind by the text, but by trusting the director and crew in the moment, we captured it on 16mm film. I hope those who already love the novel can meet Fuyuko again, and that new audiences can discover this world for the first time.”
Tadanobu Asano
“I’m thrilled that All the Lovers in the Night is being made into a film. In preparing to play Mitsuka, I explored every corner of his secrets. My performance felt more grounded thanks to Yukino Kishii as Fuyuko, and collaborating with director Yukiko Sode allowed us to bring Mitsuka to life with depth and nuance.”Yukiko Sode, Director & Screenwriter
“From reading the novel, to meeting Yukino and Tadanobu, to location scouting and late-night brainstorming sessions, every fragment of the process came together to form this film. Every conversation, from planning to final cut, offered insights that guided our path. It was the passion of the cast and crew, captivated by this extraordinary story, that made All the Lovers in the Night possible. I’m excited for audiences to see it and talk about it.”Mieko Kawakami, Author
“Receiving heartfelt responses from readers worldwide always feels like touching a pale blue flame. Director Sode, along with Yukino Kishii and Tadanobu Asano as Fuyuko and Mitsuka, have brought that quiet intensity to life, revealing emotions and memories I couldn’t have imagined through text alone. I’m eagerly looking forward to everyone seeing the film.”
