Award-winning novel Hero’s Island(Takarajima) by Junjo Shindo—winner of the 160th Naoki Prize, the Yamada Futaro Award, and the Okinawa Bookstore Award—is being brought to the screen by Toei and Sony Pictures in a major live-action adaptation directed by Keishi Otomo (Rurouni Kenshin, Ryomaden, The Legend & Butterfly). Set in postwar Okinawa under American occupation, the film explores the untold truths of an era where everything was lost and chaos reigned.
The story follows a group of young men known as senka agiyaa, who raided U.S. military bases to redistribute supplies to struggling locals. Japan had turned its back on Okinawa, and the island was left to fend for itself under American control. This emotional and suspenseful historical epic captures the raw energy of youth fighting for survival in a fractured world.
Satoshi Tsumabuki leads the cast as Gusuku, joined by Suzu Hirose as his childhood friend Yamako, Masataka Kubota as Rei—a young man who joins the yakuza in search of his missing brother—and Eita Nagayama as On, the charismatic leader who vanishes without a trace.
Tsumabuki shared the emotional weight of the production: “Filming was postponed twice, so seeing it completed today is deeply moving. Watching it, I felt a surge of life—like it was telling me, ‘You have to keep living.’” Hirose added, “I was exhausted in the best way. So many feelings, so many intense days.” Kubota said, “Because death was so close to them, their desire to live was palpable. I could feel their souls.”
Director Otomo said he was drawn to the novel’s raw energy: “The moment I read it, I knew I wanted people to experience these lives through cinema. The cast embraced that challenge with heart and courage.”
Tsumabuki prepared for the role by visiting Okinawa, guided by close friends. At sacred war sites and the Sakima Art Museum, he was overwhelmed by emotion. “It wasn’t just knowledge I gained—it was something much deeper. What they gave me carried me through the entire film.”
Hirose reflected on her character Yamako: “She had this blazing will to survive. Playing her was empowering, painful, and full of discovery.” One scene in which Yamako explodes with emotion was shot in a single take after Otomo was inspired by the rehearsal. “Kubota and Hirose were supposed to shoot over five days,” he said, “but they nailed it in two. Their performances were that strong.”
Otomo also emphasized the realism of portraying the Koza riot: “People often reduce it to just anger, but there was a chaotic blend of emotions—true to the reality of U.S.-occupied Okinawa. We wanted to capture that complexity without imposing our own narrative.”
Eita Nagayama, appearing via video, spoke about the pressure of playing On. “It was heavy, but I trusted the director and cast. I cried during the screening—quietly wiping my tears.” Tsumabuki, who has worked with Nagayama for over 20 years, praised him: “His presence gave me strength. Thanks to his portrayal of On, I could give life to Gusuku.”
At the end of the press event, it was announced that Tsumabuki would serve as the film’s official promotional ambassador. “Takarajima is more than just a movie to me. I want people to feel it—live it. My weekends are fully booked to bring this film to the audience.”
Takarajima opens in theaters across Japan on September 19.