We Are Aliens (Ware Ware wa Uchūjin), the contemplative coming-of-age film from studio NOTHING NEW, has added four new names to its voice cast. The latest additions include Gaku Sano as Tsubasa’s friend Seiya Toda, Reika Ōzeki as the younger version of Seiya, Arisa Sasaki as Elmo Matsushita, and comedian Edo Harumi in the role of a calligraphy teacher. These performers join a cast already headlined by Ryōta Bandō and Amane Okayama, who portray the leads, Tsubasa and Gyōtarō, during their young adult years.
The film explores a decades-long narrative, tracking the friendship between Tsubasa and Gyōtarō from their childhood meeting in the third grade to their divergent paths as adults. The story promises a reflective look at how a singular, minor incident can permanently alter the trajectory of a relationship. The project is a unique international collaboration, with French studio Miyu Productions—known for Ghost Cat Anzu—joining the production team mid-2025 to assist the fledgling Japanese studio.
Director Kōhei Kadowaki, who gained recognition for his work on the second season of BEASTARS and various music videos for YOASOBI, handles a massive portion of the creative load, including directing, storyboarding, and editing. The film has already built significant momentum on the festival circuit, including screenings at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors' Fortnight and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign that surpassed its 8 million yen goal, the movie is scheduled to open in Japan on September 25.
