Exciting news has swept through the BL and manga community! “Pure Love is the Best!”, the heart-throbbing story that launched exclusively on Comic Seymour in December 2024, is officially getting a live-action film adaptation. Alongside its manga debut, the movie announcement created a huge buzz online — and now, fans can finally rejoice as the lead cast has been unveiled!
First up, we have the charismatic Jutaro Yamanaka taking on the role of Sato Mitsuru, the cool, slightly philosophical leader of Shiraiwa High School.
Yutaro has been steadily winning hearts with his previous roles, having starred in hit productions like MBS’s “Ameiro Paradox”, “Atashi no!”, “BADBOYS-THE MOVIE-“, and “Kimi ga Tokubetsu”. His growing popularity also earned him a spot in the NEXT category of ViVi’s National Treasure-class Handsome Men Ranking for the first half of 2024!
Moreover, Yutaro’s activities as a member of the idol group M!LK continue to propel his fame globally. Their catchy hit “Biju Ii Jan” soared to No. 1 on the TikTok music chart, racking up a staggering 500 million views! For this film, Yutaro shared that he gained weight and trained intensively to embody Mitsuru’s strong image, putting his all into both the action scenes and emotional depth of the character.
“Director Yaegashi looked closely at our acting, and we responded with our best efforts,” Yutaro stated proudly, encouraging everyone to experience the film on the big screen.
Starring opposite Yutaro is the energetic and beloved Aloha Takamatsu, who steps into the shoes of Kamei Madoka, the big-brother-like leader of Benisakura High School.
Aloha currently shines as a main dancer and backing vocalist of the artist group Bullet Train, showing his versatility as both an entertainer and an actor.
You might recognize him from dramas like “Tokyo in April…”, “If You Fall in Love, Do It the Second Time is the Best”, and the ongoing “Shachikujin Yabu”. Beyond acting, Aloha’s high athletic ability keeps him active in reality shows like TBS’s “The Strongest Athlete Men’s Summit Battle.”
In “Pure Love is the Best!”, Aloha embraced his first-ever action scenes, revealing:
“It was difficult but a lot of fun. Acting again with Jutaro for the third time feels so special! Please enjoy our clumsy but heartfelt Yankee BL story.”
“Pure Love is the Best!” beautifully spins a story of laughs, touching moments, and heart-fluttering emotions between two unlikely heroes:
- Sato Mitsuru, leader of Shiraiwa High
- Kamei Madoka, leader of Benisakura High
Two years after signing a fragile ceasefire agreement, the pair navigates newfound feelings, friendships, and rivalries—all while facing hilarious misunderstandings and intense action scenes.
Unlike many ephemeral BL tales, this story promises hot action, straightforward impulsive love, and a refreshing burst of pure youthfulness.
At the helm of this much-anticipated movie is Director Fuga Yaegashi, renowned for his emotional storytelling in works like “We’re Not Really Friends”, TX’s “I Can Hear the Sunshine”, and “Kapu Kapu.”
Director Yaegashi expressed his excitement about working with such a stellar cast and crew, emphasizing:
“We aim to portray not just love but the deep subtleties of emotions like family bonds and self-love. We are creating a work that people will treasure.”
With his seasoned direction, fans can expect a sensitive, powerful, and youthful depiction of Mitsuru and Madoka’s journey.
Bringing the story to life on screen is talented screenwriter Ryo Kawasaki, who previously charmed audiences with “Minato Shoji Coin Laundry 2.”
Upon reading Nanao’s original manga, Kawasaki fell in love with the characters’ playful dynamics and emotional struggles:
“Madoka and Mitsuru’s sadness, their unspoken feelings, and the touching portrayal of brotherhood captured my heart,” Kawasaki shared, eagerly anticipating the movie’s release alongside the fans.
His screenplay promises to balance the rawness of first love with the nostalgia of tight-knit friendships.
The visionary behind it all is Nanao, a manga artist currently also serializing “Straight Boss, 30-Day Development Method.”
Nanao’s previous works, like “Sakuma-kun and Taki-kun, Marriage Ruisa yo,” have already proven her mastery of emotional storytelling.
Reflecting on the live-action adaptation, Nanao said:
“Seeing my characters breathe life on screen, beyond what I imagined, thanks to the amazing cast and caring production team, has been an unforgettable experience.”
As of now, episodes 1 to 7 of the manga are available exclusively on Comic Seymour, with new episodes updating monthly. Manga readers and moviegoers alike have so much to look forward to!
Mark your calendars!
“Pure Love is the Best!” (or “Junai Jyoto!”) is officially set to hit theaters in 2026, promising unforgettable performances by Jutaro Yamanaka and Aloha Takamatsu.
Fans are already buzzing with excitement over the powerful action scenes, clumsy yet pure romance, and the visual chemistry between the two leads. With an incredible team behind it, the movie is poised to become one of the standout BL films of the decade.