Netflix has prepared its next big-budget feature for Japan, a key growth market for the global streaming business. The company has greenlit a thrilling rom-com titled In Love and Deep Water from veteran drama screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto (Tokyo Love Story, Kadin). Sakamoto describes the project as “a romantic comedy on an unprecedented scale” for the Japanese film industry.
Yusuke Taki will direct, while Nikkatsu and Django Film will produce locally for Netflix.
In Love and Deep Water is set on the MSC Bellissima, a huge luxury cruise ship heading towards the Aegean Sea. Along the way, the Bellissima’s trusty butler, Suguru, and a mysterious woman named Chizuru cross paths as they attempt to unravel a shocking murder mystery that unfolds early in the journey.
Ryo Yoshizawa (Sakura, Kingdom) plays Suguru and Aoi Miyazaki (Future Family, Birthday Card) plays Chizuru. The all-star cast also includes Yoh Yoshida as the recently appointed Captain Hatsumi; Rinko Kikuchi as an unfaithful film producer named Aina; Kento Nagayama as Shintaro, a young actor who wants to appear in a film that will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival; Yuki Izumisawa as former Yakuza member Ryuki; Aju Makita as Shiori, the daughter of a yakuza boss; Hatsunori Hasegawa as Sohei, the godfather of the medical world; Ken Yasuda as his son Michihiko; and Saki Takaoka as Michihiko’s wife, Misaki. Other appearances are also made by young stars Yunho as Kanato, the housekeeper’s son, and Rumika Ogai as Misaki and Michihiko’s daughter.
“I’ve always wanted to make a film like this, but never thought I’d be able to do it,” Sakamoto said in a statement. “With this film, my dream that I gave up has come true. I believe viewers can have a dreamy time with beautiful music, gorgeous costumes, and charming people brought to life by the ultimate cast, starting with Ryo Yoshizawa and Aoi Miyazaki. I hope you will enjoy this rich and romantic ocean cruise.”
Subscription streaming services in Japan counted 48.4 million subscribers at the end of the first quarter of 2022, with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video accounting for almost half of the market, according to a report by regional research firm Media Partners Asia. Disney+, too, has been growing steadily since launching locally in Japan about two years ago, but it’s still a long way behind Netflix and Amazon, both of which debuted years earlier.
