LOVE FOR BEGINNERS

Source: TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: kyokoi-movie.jp (Japan)

On December 12th, Toho released LOVE FOR BEGINNERS (??????????, Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu) in Japanese cinemas. The live-action film is based on the popular (more than 8 million volumes sold) shojo manga series Today, I Begin Love with Tsubaki by Minami Kanan. LOVE FOR BEGINNERS opened in third place at the Japanese box office. Tsubaki Hibino (Emi Takei) is a plain and studious teen whose life to this point has had little to do with love... until she meets Kyota Tsubaki (Tori Matsuzaka), a cute and smart yet exceedingly cocky, long-haired boy who happens to be the most popular guy in school and shares a common name. Teasing Tsubaki for her outdated fashion and demeanor, Kyota proceeds to steal away her first kiss, leaving her incensed! But as she begins to catch glimpses of a softer nature behind Kyota`s persona, she gradually finds herself drawn toward him. From her first date to her first kiss, Tsubaki starts to discover and struggle with a whole new world of feelings that only come with one’s first love. Credits Japanese Theatrical Release: December 12, 2012 Running Time: 121 minutes Starring Tsubaki Hibino: Emi Takei Kyota Tsubaki: Tori Matsuzaka Nana: Fumino Kimura Hananoi: Sho Aoyagi Nishiki Hasegawa: Kento Yamazaki Sakura Hibino: Yua Shinkawa Arisa Yamauchi: Rin Takanashi Misaki: Erina Dawkins Kana: Reiko Fujiwara Kyouka Kanzaki: Saki Takaoka Keita Tsubaki: Hiroaki Murakami Setsuko Hibino: Yumi Asou Shoichiro Hibino: Hatsunori Hasegawa Staff Director: Takeshi Furusawa Screenplay: Taeko Asano Original Story: Today, I Begin Love with Tsubaki by Minami Kanan Producers: Yoshitaka Takeda, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Hideki Tashiro Cinematographer: Tokusho Kikumura Production: "Love for Beginners" Film Partners Distribution: Toho International Sales: TBS