For those who want to know how to watch the movie “Tonari no Stella” for free.
The live-action film starring Riko Fukumoto × Yusei Yagi is a hot topic even before streaming begins!
But “Which streaming service will have it?”
“Is there any trick to watch it for free?”
To clear up those questions, we thoroughly researched major VOD services including U-NEXT, Hulu, and ABEMA!
Whether you’re a fan of the original or starting with the live-action, check this article for the best way to watch.
We’ll cover not only how to watch but also info on the original manga, the cast’s past works, and review scores.
If you’re curious, start with Milkuma Theater!
I want to look it up, but I’m holding too much popcorn to hold my phone…
Milkuma is going all-in on the latest info, grr~!
- What is “Tonari no Stella”?
- Story and film details for “Tonari no Stella”
- Highlights and charms to know before watching
- Subscription services likely to stream “Tonari no Stella”
- FAQs about watching “Tonari no Stella”
- Lead cast filmography
- Recommended similar and related works
- Check the buzz and reviews on social media!
What is “Tonari no Stella”?
“Tonari no Stella” is a Japanese live-action film scheduled to be released on Friday, August 22, 2025, based on the shojo manga of the same name by Anmitsu.
The original ran on “Manga Mee” and is known as a romance story highly popular among women in their teens and twenties.
The “more-than-friends, not-quite-lovers” distance and the dynamic between a cool boy and a meddlesome girl drew many empathetic reactions, and the live-action announcement alone made big waves on social media.
In the film, Riko Fukumoto plays protagonist Funo Kawakami, and Yusei Yagi (FANTASTICS) plays Teru Hoshino in a dual-lead casting.
Directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa, known for “Kiss Him, Not Me,” the film inherits the classic style of teen-focused romance cinema while bringing a fresh approach.
The theme song is “Itsumo Tonari de” by the popular artist Yuuri, and the musical direction that highlights the work’s emotional nuances is another key draw.
Live-action overview: release date and production info
・Title: Tonari no Stella
・Release date: Friday, August 22, 2025
・Original work: Anmitsu (serialized in Shueisha’s “Manga Mee”)
・Director: Yuichiro Hirakawa
・Screenplay: Erika Yoshida
・Theme song: Yuuri “Itsumo Tonari de”
・Cast: Riko Fukumoto, Yusei Yagi, and more
・Distributor: Shochiku
“Tonari no Stella” is a highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Anmitsu’s hit romance manga. In theaters Friday, August 22, 2025.
Story and film details for “Tonari no Stella”
“Tonari no Stella” is a coming-of-age love story depicting the straightforward yet awkward romance between Funo Kawakami, a serious honors high school girl, and Teru Hoshino, a taciturn and clumsy transfer student.
For certain reasons, Teru avoids deep relationships with others, and Funo also tends to “not get too involved with people.”
When these two end up in “neighboring seats,” the distance between them gradually shrinks, and the film carefully portrays how they slowly break down each other’s emotional walls.
Though serialized in the early 2020s, the original manga received many comments like “the frustrating slow-burn is painfully sweet” and “the realistic love feels tear-jerking”, and expectations for the adaptation are extremely high.
The live-action version is expected to faithfully recreate iconic scenes from the manga while expressing the subtle emotional tremors and quiet spaces that only film can convey.
About the original by Anmitsu
Manga artist Anmitsu is known for a style that gently depicts delicate emotional subtleties and characters’ feelings.
“Tonari no Stella” is one of Anmitsu’s signature works, with a cumulative circulation surpassing 1 million copies.
Some chapters of the manga are available for free on Manga Mee, and the app’s user ratings are notably high.
The characters’ facial expressions and the pauses in their dialogue feel so natural that many readers felt “it’s like watching my own love story.”
“Tonari no Stella” is a tender yet warm love story about two people who keep others at a distance, brought together by the coincidence of sitting “side by side.”
Highlights and charms to know before watching
The key highlight of “Tonari no Stella” is that it’s a love story that exquisitely portrays the art of distance.
Teru is a man of few words, while Funo is good at closing gaps with people.
The film depicts how these two with contrasting personalities slowly build their relationship with delicate, moving detail.
A unique live-action appeal is the natural performances by Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi.
Riko Fukumoto is well known for moving, tear-jerking performances in works like “Even If This Love Disappears Tonight,” and she fully demonstrates that skill again here.
Meanwhile, Yusei Yagi delivers a strong performance as a quiet high schooler wrestling with inner conflict, a casting choice that satisfies fans of the original.
Furthermore, the theme song “Itsumo Tonari de” is an emotional ballad sung by Yuuri that syncs perfectly with the visuals and brings audiences to tears.
With visuals, acting, and music working in harmony, the film evokes memories of “unrequited feelings” and “shifting distances” that everyone has felt at least once.
What to watch for: Riko Fukumoto, Yusei Yagi, and points for fans of the original
・Riko Fukumoto’s delicate expressiveness realistically recreates Funo’s mix of bravado and kindness.
・Yusei Yagi’s rapidly maturing acting captures Teru’s gap between silence and gentleness with precision.
・Attention is on how Anmitsu’s iconic lines and scenes are depicted in live-action.
・Filming locations, uniform design, and the school atmosphere deliver production design with a strong sense of realism.
The dual leads, Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi, faithfully recreate the world of the original. Don’t miss the theme song and direction.
Subscription services likely to stream “Tonari no Stella”
As of June 2025, according to platforms like Filmarks, “Tonari no Stella” is not yet available on any VOD service.
However, based on past trends for Shochiku-distributed titles, the services below are likely candidates.
| Service | Estimated Start | Price | How to Watch for Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-NEXT | October 2025 | ¥2,189/month (31-day free) | 31-day free trial for first-time sign-ups |
| Hulu | November 2025 | ¥1,026/month | May be available during promotional campaigns |
| ABEMA | Oct–Nov 2025 | ¥960/month (2-week free) | 2-week free trial for first-time sign-ups |
| Amazon Prime Video | November 2025 | ¥600/month (30-day free) | Rent/Prime watch during the 30-day free trial |
To watch for free, the key is to use a free trial right when streaming begins.
FAQs about watching “Tonari no Stella”
What are the impressions and buzz for “Tonari no Stella”?
Even before release, social media and review sites feature many positive comments like “it matches the mood of the original!” “The casting is perfect!”
Some fans of the original even said they cried just from the visual reveal, indicating very high expectations for the film’s quality.
Where can I watch the trailer and the theme song “Itsumo Tonari de”?
The trailer is available on the official Shochiku Movies YouTube channel.
It shows Funo and Teru gradually connecting and includes iconic scenes like one in the rain, earning praise for direction that respects the original’s world.
The theme song “Itsumo Tonari de” is an original track written by singer-songwriter Yuuri, and it’s getting attention for a moving melody and poignant lyrics that perfectly match the film.
The visuals and casting satisfy fans of the original. The trailer has already drawn many empathetic comments.
Lead cast filmography
“Tonari no Stella” stars Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi (FANTASTICS).
Both are rapidly rising young actors, and their past work is also worth checking out.
Representative works of Riko Fukumoto
- Even If This Love Disappears Tonight (2022) – Lead opposite Shunsuke Michieda. A tear-jerking love story.
- Love Me, Love Me Not (2020) – Live-action adaptation of a popular shojo manga; her pure performance stands out.
- Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020) – Appears in both the live-action drama and film. Also acclaimed for character acting.
Representative works of Yusei Yagi
- My Beautiful Man (2021–) – Lead role in a boys’ love title. Highly praised for delicate, emotive acting.
- Numaru: Minato Ward High School Girls (2023) – A fresh drama depicting high schoolers and social media.
- HiGH&LOW THE WORST X (2022) – Also tackles action, showcasing range.
Both have appeared in numerous romance and youth dramas, and are expected to fully showcase their talents in “Tonari no Stella” as well.
Leads Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi have starred in many tear-jerking youth romances—this is a must-watch pairing.
Recommended similar and related works
If you enjoyed “Tonari no Stella,” we recommend other “slow-burn, heart-flutter” youth romances and Anmitsu’s works.
Titles that carefully depict quiet emotional exchanges and slightly awkward love leave a lingering afterglow.
Related works by Anmitsu
- We Hope for Blooming (Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi) – The “teacher × delinquent boy” imbalance became a talking point.
- There’s a Wall Between Us – Childhood classmates who can’t be honest—their distance feels similar.
Recommended similar live-action romance films
- Let Me Eat Your Pancreas – Shares the fleeting nature of youth and how distances close.
- You Shine in the Moonlit Night – Restrained performances and beautiful visuals that resonate deeply.
- Love is Light – A gem that gently thrills, fusing a mysterious premise with everyday romance.
These titles are often available on U-NEXT and Amazon Prime Video, so we recommend checking them out before “Tonari no Stella” starts streaming.
If you like “next-seat distance” and the frustration of one-sided love, make sure to check out similar titles too.
Check the buzz and reviews on social media!
Although the film hasn’t been released yet, you can sense the high level of anticipation on social media and in fan communities. Here we scored five categories based on reactions seen on Twitter and Filmarks.
| Category | Max | Average Score |
|---|---|---|
| Faithfulness to Original | 20 | 18 |
| Cast Visuals | 20 | 17 |
| Acting | 20 | 16 |
| Visuals & Direction | 20 | 15 |
| Theme Song & Music | 20 | 17 |
| Total (out of 100) | 100 | 83 |
- Faithfulness to Original: 18 – Many say “iconic scenes are faithful,” earning high marks from fans.
- Cast Visuals: 17 – Surprised reactions like “they look exactly like the manga!”
- Acting: 16 – High expectations for Riko Fukumoto and Yusei Yagi’s performances.
- Visuals & Direction: 15 – The school setting and uniform recreations seen in the trailer are a hot topic.
- Theme Song & Music: 17 – Yuuri’s ballad is praised as “a perfect match for the film.”
The overall score is 83, a strong rating. The faithful adaptation satisfies fans of the original and has hype at a peak.
But closing the distance like Stella… makes me a little shy.
Huh? Which movie should we check next?
Milkuma is all set, grr!
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