Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: himono-movie.jp (Japan)

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States.

In June 2012, HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT`S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE (?? ???????, Eiga Hotaru no Hikari), the big screen spinoff from the manga-inspired television series, was released to theaters across Japan by Toho. NTV is now offering the film for international sales. The following production notes and movie images are courtesy of NTV... About Hotaru no Hikaru Hotaru no Hikari is a popular Japanese women`s romance comic written and illustrated by Satoru Hiura. It was serialized in Kodansha`s Kiss magazine from 2004 to 2009 and was collected in 15 volumes with a total of 3.8 million copies in circulation. The live-action HOTARUNOHIKARI: IT`S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE (???????, Hotaru no Hikari) television series was aired from July 2007, starring Haruka Ayase and Naohito Fujiki, it marked high viewership ratings and instantly became all the rage among mostly female viewers. It depicts the love life of Hotaru Amemiya, who is like a "dried fish" in that she has basically given up on love and would rather be lounging around at home, even though most other women her age are actively seeking love and building their careers in the ocean of their twenties. But Hotaru`s personality and way of life gained the support of many women who felt the same way as her but couldn`t really come out and admit it. The work created quite a stir and the expression "dried fish woman" (himono-onna) was even nominated as one of the most popular words of the year. The second season was aired three years later in July 2010 and the work`s popularity proved to be long-lived, inspiring the production of the much-awaited movie spinoff. Audience Rating of HOTARUNOHIKARI TV Drama Series Season 1, broadcasting in 2007 summer. (In Kanton area) *Average Audience Rating: 13.7% *Highest Audience Rating: 17.3% Season 2, broadcasting in 2010 summer. (In Kanton area) *Average Audience Rating: 15.4% *Highest Audience Rating: 17.4% Introduction The hit TV series loved by female audiences is back and better than ever on the silver screen! HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE is set in Italy! Meow! In the end of the TV drama series` second season, Hotaru and Seiichi Takano (aka Boss) got married. The love life of the "dried fish woman" reached a moving and joyous finale. But did they live happily ever after? The movie begins where the TV series ended. Hotaru and Boss travel overseas for their wedding! Their destination?

Viva Italy! The story has been scaled up for the movie! A big-budget shooting took place on location in Rome for a month. The appeal of Italy has been jam-packed into this work! It`s the birth of a spectacular (?) romantic comedy that`s a must-see for everyone, and that includes "dried fish women" and cool girls and all the men being twisted around their little fingers! Starring the TV series regulars Haruka Ayase and Naohito Fujiki, plus new characters played by Yasuko Matsuyuki and Yuya Tegoshi! Featuring a superb cast worthy of a feature film! In addition to the perfect combination of Haruka Ayase (Hotaru Takano, nee Amemiya) and Naohito Fujiki (Seiichi Takano, aka "Boss"), a new cast of characters will appear in the movie, played by Yasuko Matsuyuki, a popular actress who is also favored by female audiences, and Yuya Tegoshi of the pop group NEWS. Furthermore, the movie features a fine supporting cast including the regular members of the TV series such as Yuka Itaya and Ken Yasuda as the Futatsugi, and special appearances by Yusuke Kamiji and Jonte`. On the production side, the creators of the live-action TV series have gathered again for this movie. Hiroshi Yoshino, who has numerous hit TV dramas including this one under his belt, is back again as director, Yugo Kanno wrote the music, and Fumie Mizuhashi wrote the screenplay. The highlight of early summer 2012, HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE will be brought to you by a fabulous cast and crew. Story Hotaru Amemiya (Haruka Ayase) is like a "dried fish," competent and put-together at work but a lazy slob at home in sweats with zero interest in dating. She would rather "lounge around than fool around," but strangely enough, she suddenly finds herself becoming attracted to good-looking guys and having good-looking guys suddenly pursuing her... After many ups and downs she finally ends up happily married to her boss Seiichi Takano (Naohito Fujiki), the manager of her division at work, who she had been sharing a house with. And that was where the TV series ended. In the movie, Hotaru becomes a new woman and strives to become a refined lady, and the moving love story of the couple`s newly married life unfolds... ...Not! Hotaru hasn`t changed a bit. Even as a new wife, she lounges around on the veranda of their home like a walrus. But when she finds out that her husband`s dream is to spend a "Roman holiday with a loved one," she decides to go on their honeymoon to Italy. She`s never traveled overseas before and frankly doesn`t feel up to it at all, but since her husband seems to be really looking forward to it, she`ll do this honeymoon thing for his sake! Thus HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE is a spectacular romantic comedy (?) set in Italy; Civita di Bagnoregio, the decaying city stranded on a canyon near Rome, to be exact. There, the newlyweds meet Rio Saeki (Yasuko Matsuyuki), another "dried fish" in Italy, and her younger brother Yu (Yuya Tegoshi), and all hell breaks loose! What will become of Hotaru, the bride who rushes around a foreign city in pursuit of her beloved groom, Manager Takano, who has suddenly disappeared in Rome? Will the two be able to find eternal love in Italy? Topics Fans of the TV series will be moved to tears! Hotaru and Boss will finally have a wedding in the movie! The first season of the TV series depicted Hotaru Amemiya`s love life, and the second season dealt with the big question of "What is marriage?" In the movie, the strong bonds of love between Hotaru, who is now a bride, and her Boss will be depicted. They`re having an overseas wedding in Italy, a dream come true for many women! It`s a treat that many women will be thrilled to the max to see! Viva Italy! This work was shot on location for a month in Italy. The beauty of the Italian landscape from Rome, the city of art, to Civita di Bagnoregio, the crumbling city on a cliff, has been packed into the movie. Another fun gimmick to watch for is how Hotaru and Boss follow the footsteps of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck and visit the film locations of the movie Roman Holiday. Cast & Interviews Haruka Ayase as Hotaru Takano Born on March 24, 1985 in Hiroshima pref. Filmography Drama: CRYING OUT LOVE, IN THE CENTER OF THE WORLD (TBS / 2004), INTO THE WHITE NIGHT (TBS / 2006), THE FANTASTIC DEER-MAN (CX / 2008), MR. BRAIN (TBS / 2009), JIN (TBS / 2009), JIN-FINAL- (TBS / 2011) Film: CYBORG SHE (2008), ICHI (2008), HAPPY FLIGHT (2008), THE MAGIC HOUR (2008), OPPAI VOLLEYBALL (2009), PRINCESS TOYOTOMI (2011), ANATA HE (2012), AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE (2012) Q1: How was working on HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE? Haruka Ayase: I was happy to have met Hotaru and Boss again. Q2: Are you similar to the character you played? Haruka Ayase: Pretty much the same. Q3: What`s the one item you recall from Italy? Haruka Ayase: Balsamic vinegar. Q4: What did you enjoy or not enjoy during the shooting? Haruka Ayase: I enjoyed the shooting in Italy itself. I didn`t enjoy the strong sunlight! Q5: Do you prefer lazing around at home or having fun outside? Haruka Ayase: Both lazing and going out, at a rate of 6 to 4. Q6: Honestly speaking, do you think "dried fish women" are OK or not OK? Haruka Ayase: OK. Q7: Finally, please give us a few words and end it with "Meow!" Haruka Ayase: "Dried fish women" are the best! Meow! Naohito Fujiki as Seiichi Takano Born on July 19, 1972 in Chiba pref. Filmography Drama: ASUKA (NHK/ 1999-2000), LOVE REVOLUTION (CX/ 2001), GALCIR (NTV/ 2006), AROUND 40 (TBS/ 2008), STAIRS IN THE NIGHT GLEAM (EX/ 2009), KIYOMORI (NHK/ 2012), MIKENEKO HOMES (NTV, 2012) Variety: OSHAREISM (NTV, regular MC) Film: 20TH CENTURY BOYS 2: THE LAST HOPE, 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION (2009) Q1: How was working on HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE? Naohito Fujiki: I was happy when we were able to do a second season, so I was more than happy to do the film. Q2: Are you similar to the character you played? Naohito Fujiki: We`re similar in certain ways, but different in others (as is natural). We`re both sensitive, but I`m not a neat freak like he is. Q3: What`s the one item you recall from Italy? Naohito Fujiki: The sunlight in Rome was a lot stronger than I expected and I needed protection. So I used a bright red umbrella that I`d gotten at a Ferrari store since I`d bought it, but it really stood out and was embarrassing. Q4: What did you enjoy or not enjoy during the shooting? Naohito Fujiki: I`d thought being in Italy for about a month might be rough, but the city`s atmosphere was nice and the food was great so I enjoyed the experience. On the other hand, shooting a movie takes time so the rhythm was different from shooting TV, so it was awkward and I had a hard time adjusting. Q5: Do you prefer lazing around at home or having fun outside? Naohito Fujiki: I prefer lazing around at home. Q6: Honestly speaking, do you think "dried fish women" are OK or not OK? Naohito Fujiki: I`m the type that can`t be bothered, either, so I think it`s OK. But there`s a limit. (Laughs) Q7: Finally, please give us a few words and end it with "Meow!" Naohito Fujiki: The TV series HOTARUNOHIKARI: IT`S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE was something to be enjoyed while lounging around at home. But we`ve captured many beautiful scenes during our long shooting in Italy, so I`d like everyone to head out to the theaters to see it. Meow! Yuya Tegoshi as Yu Saeki, Rio Saeki`s younger brother Born on November 11, 1987 in Kanagawa pref. Filmography Drama: MY BOSS, MY HERO (NTV/ 2006), THE WALLFLOWER (TBS/ 2010), DEKA WANKO -MS. DETECTIVE VS POLICE DOG- (NTV/ 2011) Film: DEAD RUN (2005), MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC (2010) Variety: SEKAI NO HATEMADE ITTE Q (NTV, regular guest) Radio: Tegomass Radio Q1: How was working on HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE? Yuya Tegoshi: I loved the TV series so it was really fun to be able to take part in its world. Q2: Are you similar to the character you played? Yuya Tegoshi: We`re not very similar. Q3: What`s the one item you recall from Italy? Yuya Tegoshi: Mediterranean seafood dishes. And a creamy pasta dish called "cacio e pepe." It was too heavy for me when I tried it in Rome, but when I tried it again after I returned to Japan, it tasted... good! Superb, in fact, which was a surprise. (Laughs) Q4: What did you enjoy or not enjoy during the shooting? Yuya Tegoshi: I enjoyed sightseeing in Rome because I had a lot of down time. I didn`t enjoy the fact that most of the food was too oily. Q5: Do you prefer lazing around at home or having fun outside? Yuya Tegoshi: I like both, but if I had to choose, I`m the active type. Q6: Honestly speaking, do you think "dried fish women" are OK or not OK? Yuya Tegoshi: Well... not OK. Q7: Finally, please give us a few words and end it with "Meow!" Yuya Tegoshi: Various things happen in a lovely, romantic setting called Italy, and this movie is filled with laughter and laughter and laughter, so please go see it in theaters. Meow! Yasuko Matsuyuki as Rio Saeki, a "dried fish woman" in Italy Born on November 28, 1972 in Saga pref. Filmography Drama: Vessel of Sand (TBS/ 2004), MOTHER (NTV/ 2010), KOKORO NO ITO (NHK/ 2010) Film: HULA GIRLS (2006). SUSPECT X (2008), THE UNBROKEN (2009), KONO SORA NO HANA (2012) Stage: Goemon Rock (2008), Tokyo Gekkou Makyoku Makyoku (2009), Shida no Mure (2012) Q1: How was working on HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT’S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE? Yasuko Matsuyuki: I enjoyed playing my part. Q2: Are you similar to the character you played? Yasuko Matsuyuki: We`re not similar at all. Q3: What`s the one item you recall from Italy? Yasuko Matsuyuki: Fresh scampi and champagne. Q4: What did you enjoy or not enjoy during the shooting? Yasuko Matsuyuki: I was happy to be able to eat Italian food every day. Q5: Do you prefer lazing around at home or having fun outside? Yasuko Matsuyuki: I prefer lazing around at home. Q6: Honestly speaking, do you think "dried fish women" are OK or not OK? Yasuko Matsuyuki: OK. Q7: Finally, please give us a few words and end it with "Meow!" Yasuko Matsuyuki: This movie will make you feel happy, so please go see it. Meow! Yuka Itaya as Sachiko Futatsugi Born on June 22, 1975 in Fukuoka pref. Filmography Film: AVEC MON MARI (1998), A STRANGER OF MINE (2005), SAD VACATION (2007), OUTRAGE (2010), GIRLS FOR KEEPS (2012) Ken Yasuda as Shoji Futatsugi Born on December 8, 1973 in Hokkaido pref. Filmography Drama: SPEC (TBS/ 2010), KAZE WO ATSUMETE (NHK/ 2010), TEAM BATISTA 3 -ARIADNE`S BULLET- (CX/ 2011), DETECTIVE MOM (NTV/ 2012) Stage: The Road of Smart Moteryman (2010) Credits Japanese Release Date: June 9, 2012 Running Time: 110 minutes Screen Size: 1.85:1

Hotaru Takano: Haruka Ayase Seiichi Takano: Naohito Fujiki Yu Saeki: Yuya Tegoshi Sachiko Futatsugi: Yuka Itaya Shoji Futatsugi: Ken Yasuda Rio Saeki: Yasuko Matsuyuki Directed by Hiroshi Yoshino Original Story Hotaru no Hikari by Satoru Hiura (KODANSHA KC Kiss) Screenplay by Fumie Mizuhashi Music by Yugo Kanno Production Commanders: Hiroshi Miyazaki, Kazuyuki Sakurada Production: Naoki Suganuma, Yoshitaka Hori, Minami Ichikawa, Tomio Yoshioka, Hiroyasu Asami, Fumihiro Hirai, Nobuhito Nagasaka, Ken Hironaka Executive Producers: Seiji Okuda, Tsukasa Imamura Planning Producer: Hiroko Hazeyama Producers: Eriko Mikami, Masahiro Uchiyama, Megumi Hoshino Cinematography: Hidefumi Nagashima Lighting: Nobutoshi Kakuta Production Designer: Masahiro Kono Sound Recording: Fusao Yuwaki Editor: Toshiro Shochiku Video Engineer: Nobuyuki Niibe First Assistant Director: Yoshinori Shigeyama B Camera Cinematography: Takashi Ohara Music Producer: Hirohide Shida Title Background Designer: junaida Italy Local Production: Tea Time Film Planning & Production: NTV Production Companies: NTV, HoriPro Inc., Toho, Kodansha, D.N. dreampartners, VAP, Office Crescendo / 28 NTV Affiliates Production Company: Office Crescendo Theatrical Distribution: Toho International Sales: NTV © 2012 HOTARUNOHIKARI FILM PARTNERS