[Humax Entertainment Inc.] Our film, “The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat,” will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 9, 2026!
Humax Entertainment Inc. Press Release: October 3, 2025 Our film, “The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat,” will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 9, 2026! For those who want to give up their family — Starring Takasugi Mahiro, the latest work from director Morigaki Yudai
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/45787/119/45787-119-673c4e1b72c457fa6dc98b155e852fe0-1909×2700.jpg
Humax Entertainment Inc. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akimoto Michio) is co-producing director Morigaki Yudai’s latest film, “The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat,” starring Takasugi Mahiro, with Horipro Inc., and is scheduled for nationwide release on Friday, January 9, 2026. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Terachi Haruna, who was nominated for the Bookstore Award for “Those Who Stand by the River.” The screenplay was written by Kanno Tomoe, who won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Original Screenplay for “The Asadas!” The story follows the dysfunctional Haneko family over the course of 30 years, where the mother, who lost her grip on reality after her younger brother’s death, and the rest of the family turn a blind eye to the “inconvenient truth,” yet still live together. Imperfect, troublesome, yet somehow endearing. The film carefully portrays the “lies” and “bonds” of this family. The protagonist, Haneko Yamabuki, is played by Takasugi Mahiro, who is currently enjoying a stellar career, appearing in films such as “TOKYO MER: The Movie: The Running Emergency Room, Nankai Mission,” “Sunflowers on the Board,” and the TV drama “Royal Family.” He supports the story with his solid acting skills and soft presence. Ito Marika plays Sato Rai, Yamabuki’s childhood friend and future lover, and Fukagawa Mai plays Toyama Kanako, Yamabuki’s first love, embodying polar opposites. The cast also includes talented actors from a wide range of generations, including Yuko Ando as the mother, Yuka Mukozato as the sister, Beni, Ken Yasuda as the father, Kimiko Yo as the grandmother, and Akira Emoto as the grandfather. The supporting cast also includes a diverse cast, including Hikorohee, who has many different roles as a comedian, screenwriter, and actress, and Hanawa, a native of Saga, where the film is set. Filming took place in 2024, with the entire film being shot on location in Saga Prefecture, the setting of the original novel. ★Trailer ︓
https://youtu.be/PVZ30-qhZlk The poster visual and the first trailer have also been released!! The poster features Marika Ito, who plays the Haneko family and Yamabuki’s boyfriend, Yori. The composition of the characters, lined up without facing each other and each staring in a different direction, perfectly represents a dysfunctional family. The main tagline reads, “For those who want to give up on being a family.” Family disputes, big or small, are inevitable, but family is precisely what makes it unavoidable. At times like these, you might find yourself thinking, “I want to give up on being a family.” This film may be a ray of hope for those like you. The same tagline appears from the beginning in the trailer. Later, Takasugi’s Yamabuki reminisces in Saga dialect about her childhood, saying, “Nothing good ever happened to me.” Her mother cannot accept the death of her younger brother, Seiji, and her older sister, Kurenai, tries to make her understand that her brother is dead. Her father spends intimate time with his mistress, seemingly escaping the family. After the caption “A family falling apart,” the text reads from the letters Yamabuki continued to send to her mother as if her younger brother were still alive. “Mom, how are you?” Now that she’s grown up, Yamabuki says of those days, “I was just pretending to be a brave child,” to which her grandmother gently reassures her, “You too, live your life.” What was it that Yamabuki was so desperate to protect that she was willing to lie? The narrator explains that “when lies turn to love, we become a family,” indicating that “lies” change over the course of 30 years. How did they respond to their lies? How will this change their family? See for yourself in the cinema. This story of an imperfect, complicated, yet endearing family will touch everyone’s heart. Comments have also arrived from director Morigaki and stars Takasugi Mahiro, Ito Marika, and Fukagawa Mai! ＜Director Morigaki Yudai＞ The collective entity known as “family” provides love and security, but it can also be a source of conflict and tension. They are still a mysterious presence to me. Together with a wonderful cast and staff, we wove this “troublesome yet lovable family” into a story set against the gentle breezes and scenery of Saga. Everyone, including the lead actor Takasugi-kun, was truly vibrant and radiant, and I was moved by their presence many times. This film is a story of time passing like a slowly flowing river. It’s truly a reflection of life itself. And nothing would make me happier than if the audience could superimpose even a small part of that time into their own lives. I hope you will experience it in the theater. And I’m truly grateful to Dr. Teraji. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to direct this delicate, warm, and slightly bittersweet story into a film. ＜Takasugi Mahiro as Haneko Yamabuki＞ The shape of a family is unique to each household, and it’s just not visible to others. There’s no such thing as smooth sailing, and there are hardships involved. People just don’t realize it. But they are a family, so to maintain their appearance, each member, including Yamabuki, has to tell a lie. It’s a story of lies and love. Thank you for your support. The scenery of Saga, rich in nature, gently watched over and embraced even the most tense moments of human interaction. I loved the time Yamabuki and Yori spent together, the only constant as the seasons changed. This is a special project that I was able to cherish thanks to the support of the team, who welcomed me back with a smile every time I returned to filming. ＜Fukagawa Mayu as Toyama Kanako＞ After reading the meaning of the characters “dog” and “cat” in the title, I felt a deep affection for them. This is a very heartwarming work that will help you to fully embrace yourself through Yamabuki’s life, showing you that there is no right or wrong, no 0 or 100, and that it’s okay as it is. I hope you enjoy it at the theater. ============ Takasugi Mahiro Ito Marika, Fukagawa Mai, Ando Yuko, Mukozato Yuka, Hikorohee Cast: Sawa Suzuki, Ikumi Matsuoka, So Morita, Yuki Takao, Takenori Goto, Ikuma Nagatomo, Hanawa / Ken Yasuda, Kimiko Yo, Akira Emoto Director: Yudai Morigaki Scriptwriter: Tomoe Kanno Based on Haruna Terachi’s “Imaginary Dog and Lying Cat” (Chuokoron-Shinsha) Music by Cali Wang Producers: Sadakazu Kikuchi, Keisuke Tsushima, Hidenobu Muramatsu, Tomoo Akimoto, Yudai Morigaki, Junichi Abe, Hiroo Sashiyama, Kazuo Tomohiro Producers: Hitoshi Nunokawa, Kenji Akazawa (Humax Entertainment), Muneo Miyagawa Line Producer: Toshiki Mabo Cinematography: Yamazaki Lighting: Eiji Oshita Sound: Masayuki Inomata Art: Sango Nakamura Editing: Keita Suzuo VFX: Kohei Sudo Stylist: Ayuko Takagi Hair & Makeup: Kanae Nishimura Sound Effects: Sakura Katsumata Assistant Director: Yudai Suzuki Production Manager: Kazuya Haide Stills: Isao Nishiyama “Imaginary Dog and Lying Cat” Film Production Committee (Pony Canyon, Horipro, Toei Agency, Humax Entertainment, KUJIRA, Chuokoron-Shinsha, Saga Television, B-Plast) Production Cooperation: Saga Prefecture Film Commission Producer/Distributor: Pony Canyon Production Company: Humax Entertainment/Horipro Agency for Cultural Affairs, Arts and Culture Promotion Grant (Film Creation Activity Support Project), Japan Arts Council (C)2025 “The Lying Cat and the Imaginary Dog” Film Production Committee 2025 / Japan / 125 minutes / Color / American Vista / 5.1ch / PG12 January 9, 2026 (Friday) TOHO Cinemas Hibiya and other theaters nationwide Company Profile Humax Entertainment Inc. Address: 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Opera City Tower, 22nd floor Representative: President and CEO Michio Akimoto Business: Theater business, live music venue business, amusement business, media business, post-production business URL:
https://humax-ent.co.jp/
