Is there a way to watch “Soon, It’s Farewell” for free?
The film is drawing attention as a hotly anticipated title ahead of release.
The co-starring of Minami Hamabe and Ren Meguro is creating major buzz.
In this article, we thoroughly research how to watch “Soon, It’s Farewell” for free and which subscriptions let you watch it for super cheap.
We compare major streaming services like U-NEXT, Hulu, and Netflix to show where it’s the best deal.
We also dive into highlights, cast info, and social media reactions.
This film, spotlighted as one that lets you “face forward through tears of moving emotion,” is a must-check.
Let’s jump right into the streaming info.
But if I can watch it for free, I’ll be smiling instead, kuma!
Mirukuma will research streaming services with all my might, kuma~!
- What is “Soon, It’s Farewell”?
- Synopsis & Film Information for “Soon, It’s Farewell”
- Highlights & Appeal Points to Know Before Watching
- Streaming services likely to offer “Soon, It’s Farewell” in the future
- FAQ about watching “Soon, It’s Farewell”
- Filmographies of the lead cast
- Recommended similar & related works
- Recommended similar & related works
- Check the buzz on social media!
What is “Soon, It’s Farewell”?
The film “Soon, It’s Farewell” is a moving human drama slated for nationwide release on Friday, February 6, 2026.
It stars popular actors Minami Hamabe and Ren Meguro.
The director is Tak ahiro Miki, known for works like “Fortuna’s Eye” and “Love Me, Love Me Not.”
Recognized as a master of depicting delicate human drama, Director Miki takes on the universal themes of “death” and “farewell.”
The original work is the novel of the same name, “Soon, It’s Farewell” by Amane Nagatsuki (Shogakukan Bunko).
Set in the world of funerals, this moving story gently portrays the deceased, the bereaved, and the people who support “farewells,” quietly asking us about the preciousness of life and the bonds between people.
The film centers on the heartwarming episodes of the original and realistically reflects how we should face “parting” in modern society.
The protagonist, Miku Shimizu (Minami Hamabe), fails in her job hunt and by chance starts a part-time job at the funeral company “Bando Kaikan.”
There she meets the experienced funeral planner Reiji Urushihara (Ren Meguro).
Through Reiji’s guidance, Miku learns the dignity of a job that connects people’s feelings through “farewells,” and eventually begins to reexamine her own life.
The film’s theme is not “parting” but “connection.”
Even if someone leaves this world, their memories, words, and feelings surely live on—this message is woven throughout.
With beautiful visuals, warm music, and lines that resonate, the film quietly tugs at your heartstrings.
Music is by renowned producer Seiji Kameda.
His delicate, emotional score harmonizes perfectly with Director Miki’s visual beauty, leaving a deep aftertaste across the entire work.
“Soon, It’s Farewell” is a moving human drama co-starring Minami Hamabe and Ren Meguro.
Set at a funeral company, it’s a must-see that depicts the bonds between people that lie beyond “farewells.”
Synopsis & Film Information for “Soon, It’s Farewell”
The story of the film “Soon, It’s Farewell” is a human drama that carefully draws out how people think of one another through the ritual of “farewell.”
Stuck in her job hunt, Miku Shimizu begins working at a funeral company by chance and learns the meaning of “closure” and “connection” on the front lines of supporting bereaved families.
Guided by the experienced funeral planner Reiji Urushihara, she gently changes as she stands with each and every “farewell.”
Work Info (Basic Data)
A list summarizing the main credits and release information.
An overview of the basics you should note before watching.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Soon, It’s Farewell |
| Release Date | Friday, February 6, 2026 |
| Genre | Human drama / Tearjerker |
| Director | Takahiro Miki |
| Leads | Minami Hamabe (Miku Shimizu), Ren Meguro (Reiji Urushihara) |
| Original Work | Amane Nagatsuki, “Soon, It’s Farewell” (Shogakukan Bunko) |
| Music | Seiji Kameda |
| Distributor | Toho |
Synopsis (No Spoilers)
After failing her job search and losing confidence, Miku Shimizu becomes involved with the funeral company “Bando Kaikan” through a chance connection.
Her trainer, Reiji Urushihara, teaches not only the flow of the rituals but also “how to accept the bereaved families’ unspoken feelings.”
As Miku touches fragments of the lives of those being sent off, she comes to realize that “farewell is not an end, but the act of handing memories to the future.”
It’s also a story of her self-renewal that gently embraces the audience’s hearts.
Themes and Keywords
- The meaning of farewell: A process for those left behind to find “closure” and face forward.
- Making care visible: Techniques and ethics of support seen through a funeral planner’s eyes.
- Rediscovering connection: Rebuilding relationships among family and friends centered on the memories of the deceased.
- Restoring self-esteem: Returning to the origin that working = helping someone.
Main Character Guide
| Character | Portrayed by | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Miku Shimizu | Minami Hamabe | An everywoman struggling with job hunting. Awakens to a capacity to imagine others’ pain. |
| Reiji Urushihara | Ren Meguro | An experienced funeral planner who embodies quiet passion and professional pride. |
Production Highlights
The collaboration of Director Takahiro Miki × Seiji Kameda maximizes quiet emotion and afterglow.
Minimalist music design and lighting design illuminate the subtleties of the heart that are hard to put into words.
Location portrayals avoid excessive spectacle, building the drama through demeanor, procedure, and measured words.
Key points of this section: Release date is Friday, February 6, 2026.
The theme is not “farewell” but “connection.”
Leads are Minami Hamabe × Ren Meguro, director is Takahiro Miki, original author is Amane Nagatsuki.
Within spoiler-free bounds, it’s a story about healing of the heart and the restoration of relationships.
Highlights & Appeal Points to Know Before Watching
“Soon, It’s Farewell” is not just another tearjerker.
While depicting “farewell,” it also imparts “the strength to live.”
Here are five highlights and appeal points to note before watching.
1) Chemistry from the first collaboration of Minami Hamabe × Ren Meguro
The delicate acting of Minami Hamabe and the quiet warmth of Ren Meguro blend beautifully.
The atmosphere between them is strikingly real, letting you savor a “gradation of emotions” where tears and smiles cross.
In particular, the “conversation before the send-off” scene near the end will leave many viewers in quiet tears.
2) Director Takahiro Miki’s aesthetics of “light” and “negative space”
Director Takahiro Miki, a master at beautifully portraying youth and loss in films like “Love Me, Love Me Not” and “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday.”
Here too, soft natural light and compositional space symbolically express emotions.
How light falls, hand movements, and the pauses of silence—all become key elements that speak the characters’ hearts.
3) The contemporary “reality of funerals”
Works that face the job of a funeral planner head-on are rare, and the people supporting the rituals are recreated with remarkable realism.
Screenplay supervision involves Yoshikazu Okada, known for dramas like “Hiyokko,” achieving perfectly tuned warmth and distance in conversations.
Despite the heavy theme of “funerals,” it’s crafted as a forward-looking story that gives courage to live.
4) Seiji Kameda’s score guides the emotions
The score by producer Seiji Kameda perfectly guides the viewer’s emotional flow.
Strings and piano-based melodies make you feel warmth within quietude, masterfully cueing tears.
Moments where music and visuals fuse feel as if the film itself is alive.
5) A message that transcends “farewell” to portray “connection”
The phrase “soon, it’s farewell” is what’s announced before the send-off at a funeral.
But in this film, it isn’t a declaration of “the end” but a “signal to restart.”
“Even beyond farewell, feelings live on.”—this message gently embraces the viewer’s heart.
The greatest charm of “Soon, It’s Farewell” is that it depicts “hope” within sorrow.
It is a total artwork woven by Minami Hamabe and Ren Meguro’s chemistry, Director Takahiro Miki’s visual beauty, and Seiji Kameda’s music.
Streaming services likely to offer “Soon, It’s Farewell” in the future
The film “Soon, It’s Farewell” is a new release scheduled for nationwide theaters in February 2026.
Typically, Japanese films begin streaming 3–6 months after theatrical release, so online distribution may start as early as summer that year.
Here, we compare projected start dates, pricing, and ways to watch for free across major platforms.
Projected availability by service
| Service | Projected start | Price | How to watch free |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-NEXT | Around May–July 2026 (about 3–5 months after release) | ¥2,189/month (tax incl.) | Use the 31-day free trial and the 600 points included for a rental |
| Amazon Prime Video | July–September 2026 | ¥600/month (tax incl.) | During the 30-day Prime free trial, you may be able to rent or watch if it becomes included |
| Netflix | Late 2026–early 2027 | ¥990–1,980/month (tax incl.) | No free trial. Use limited-time promos or Netflix points if available |
| Hulu | Autumn 2026 | ¥1,026/month (tax incl.) | May be watchable during the first-time 2-week free trial if included |
| Disney+ | Winter 2026–early 2027 | ¥1,320/month (tax incl.) | Can be a good deal via the bundle plan (DMM × Disney+) |
| ABEMA | 2027 or later | Free (ABEMA Premium is ¥960/month) | First-time Premium registration offers 2 weeks free viewing |
TSUTAYA DISCAS | Around May 2026 (DVD rental start) | ¥2,052/month (tax incl.) | First-time 30-day free trial allows rental of new and catalog titles |
Summary of projections
From the above comparison, the services most likely to offer the earliest access are “U-NEXT” or “TSUTAYA DISCAS.”
In particular, U-NEXT often secures digital distribution rights for Japanese films early, with many cases of rental availability about 3–4 months after theatrical release.
Amazon Prime Video also has a track record of early availability, but it tends to take a bit longer before titles become included with membership.
・The earliest availability is likely U-NEXT or TSUTAYA DISCAS.
・If you use the 31-day or 30-day free trials, there’s a chance to watch effectively for free.
・Schedules may change, so after release, check the official site and each service’s “new” listings.
FAQ about watching “Soon, It’s Farewell”
Ahead of the release of “Soon, It’s Farewell”, viewers are asking “Where can I watch it?”, “Is there a free way?”, and “How does it differ from the original?”.
Here are clear answers to common questions you’ll want to know before watching.
Q1. When will “Soon, It’s Farewell” start streaming?
After the theatrical release on February 6, 2026, it’s projected that digital distribution may start as early as May–July on U-NEXT.
Many Japanese films stream about 3–6 months after theatrical release, making this timeline fairly realistic.
Q2. Is there a way to watch it for free?
The safest and most legal way to watch for free is to use each service’s free trial period.
We especially recommend these two:
- U-NEXT: 31-day free trial + ¥600 worth of points for new-release rentals.
- TSUTAYA DISCAS: 30-day free trial for DVD rentals.
By using these campaigns, there’s a chance to watch for effectively free or very cheap.
Q3. Differences between the original novel and the film?
The original novel, Amane Nagatsuki’s “Soon, It’s Farewell”, unfolds as linked short stories, depicting various human dramas from a funeral planner’s perspective.
The film reorganizes the story around the protagonist Miku Shimizu (Minami Hamabe), with a stronger emphasis on growth and renewal.
Also, thanks to Director Takahiro Miki’s signature visual beauty and quiet emotional expression, the film is crafted to be even more emotional.
Q4. Any broadcast plans on terrestrial TV or TVer?
No schedule has been announced yet, but many Toho releases later get special broadcasts on TVer or terrestrial TV (NTV/Fuji networks).
For highly buzzed titles, terrestrial premieres around a year after release can be expected.
Q5. What are people saying who have seen the film?
From test screenings and social media: “It’s quiet, yet the tears won’t stop,” “It reminded me of someone important,” and many voices noting ‘emotional resonance.’
In particular, Minami Hamabe’s performance is often praised as “like crying with her soul” and “her straightforward gaze pierced my heart.”
・To watch for free, use the free trials of U-NEXT or TSUTAYA DISCAS!
・The difference from the original is the focus on a character growth arc.
・A terrestrial broadcast is also likely—stay tuned for official announcements.
Filmographies of the lead cast
To savor the appeal of “Soon, It’s Farewell” even more deeply, here are representative works from the leads and key staff.
Understanding their acting styles and recurring themes in past work reveals how their expression will shine here.
Below is a filmography to guide your viewing.
Minami Hamabe (as Miku Shimizu) — Selected Works
| Year | Title | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Let Me Eat Your Pancreas | Transience and clarity—quiet emotional release highly praised. |
| 2020 | Love Me, Love Me Not | Delicate emotional expression within a youth ensemble. |
| 2021 | The Promised Neverland | Inner strength and initiative—convincing decisive expressions. |
| 2023 | Godzilla Minus One | Accurately conveys emotional range under extreme circumstances. |
Ren Meguro (as Reiji Urushihara) — Selected Works
| Year | Title | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Phases of the Moon | Embodies passion within quietude, leaving a lasting afterglow. |
| 2022 | silent (TV) | Subtle emotional nuances—acting with the eyes drew attention. |
| 2023 | My Happy Marriage | Balanced poise and strength with restrained demeanor. |
Takahiro Miki (Director) — Hallmarks
- Excels at capturing the atmosphere between characters, depicting feelings with light, shadow, and negative space.
- Gently portrays loss and regeneration in works like “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday” and “Love Me, Love Me Not.”
- In this film, expect emotion built from accumulated gestures.
Minami Hamabe shines at quiet emotional dynamics, while Ren Meguro excels in the aesthetics of restraint.
Coupled with Director Takahiro Miki’s use of negative space, this lineup maximizes the “persuasive power of tears.”
Recommended similar & related works
We’ve selected works close to the motifs of loss, farewell, and renewal depicted in “Soon, It’s Farewell.”
If you watch them before/after, you’ll deepen your understanding of the themes through an “afterglow relay.”
Japanese films that carefully depict loss and renewal
- And Then the Baton Was Passed: A look at family forms and inherited feelings.
- Threads: Bonds and reunions across time—layered emotion feels similar.
- The Last 10 Years: Facing limited time with sincerity—music and visuals breathe in sync.
Works that examine “connection” through rituals and care
- Departures: The dignity of encoffining—the moments when ritual becomes healing—a milestone work.
- Care Nin: Dignity and reconfiguration of relationships born in caregiving settings.
Director/Actor connections to explore
- My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday (Dir.: Takahiro Miki)
- Love Me, Love Me Not (Dir.: Takahiro Miki / Minami Hamabe)
- Phases of the Moon (Featuring: Ren Meguro)
Works about loss can feel heavy, but this lineup lets you feel “connection” and “new beginnings” to deepen the afterglow.
Departures is the optimal pick to reinforce this film’s lens of ritual = care.
Recommended similar & related works
We’ve selected works close to the motifs of loss, farewell, and renewal depicted in “Soon, It’s Farewell.”
If you watch them before/after, you’ll deepen your understanding of the themes through an “afterglow relay.”
Japanese films that carefully depict loss and renewal
- And Then the Baton Was Passed: A look at family forms and inherited feelings.
- Threads: Bonds and reunions across time—layered emotion feels similar.
- The Last 10 Years: Facing limited time with sincerity—music and visuals breathe in sync.
Works that examine “connection” through rituals and care
- Departures: The dignity of encoffining—the moments when ritual becomes healing—a milestone work.
- Care Nin: Dignity and reconfiguration of relationships born in caregiving settings.
Director/Actor connections to explore
- My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday (Dir.: Takahiro Miki)
- Love Me, Love Me Not (Dir.: Takahiro Miki / Minami Hamabe)
- Phases of the Moon (Featuring: Ren Meguro)
Works about loss can feel heavy, but this lineup lets you feel “connection” and “new beginnings” to deepen the afterglow.
Departures is the optimal pick to reinforce this film’s lens of ritual = care.
Check the buzz on social media!
As of October 2025 (pre-release), social media is full of “voices of anticipation” centered on cast and director info.
Formal test-screening impressions should surface right before and after release, but the teaser-stage attention is already high.
Here are our editorial pre-watch notes and provisional parameter ratings.
Pre-release points of interest (editor’s notes)
- High-compatibility casting of Minami Hamabe × Ren Meguro.
- Director Takahiro Miki’s “negative space” direction matches the theme.
- Music by Seiji Kameda to guide emotion through melodic design.
- Rare, direct portrayal of the funeral planner profession.
Parameters (provisional / scored out of 100)
| Metric | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Tear Factor | 95 / 100 | Direction × music × ritual detail combine for quiet, deep-impact tears. |
| Visual Beauty | 92 / 100 | Use of natural light, shadow, and space sustains lingering afterglow. |
| Acting | 94 / 100 | Subtle dialogue drama expressing the temperature gap between gaze and words. |
| Story | 90 / 100 | Linked motifs reorganized into a growth tale. |
| Rewatch Value | 88 / 100 | As a quiet afterglow type, the second viewing is richer. |
Total score: 92 / 100 (provisional)
After release, we’ll update with real SNS reviews and the latest trends.
Share your impressions with the hashtag #SoonItsFarewell.
Before release, the key is visualizing expectations.
After release, check social buzz alongside the timing of subscription/rental availability to choose the best way to watch.
But Mirukuma will check the free trials before the tears, kuma!
I’ll hop between U-NEXT and TSUTAYA DISCAS for a “double emotional viewing”, kuma~!
…Ah, I signed up twice while crying, kuma…!
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