Maki Horikita Takes on a New Challenge as an Otaku Aspiring to Be a Voice Actress

The director is Keisuke Yoshida, a rising talent who has garnered attention from Japanese film enthusiasts for his unique sensibility and distinctive character portrayals in films such as "Jun Kissa Isobe" (2008) and "Sankaku" (2010). This film is his latest creation, from script to screen.
In her first film lead in two years, Maki Horikita portrays Mugiko, a slightly otaku girl who dreams of becoming a voice actress, showcasing a new facet of her talent. Ryuhei Matsuda plays her older brother, Norio, and Kimiko Yo plays their mother, Ayako. The cast also includes veteran actors like Yumi Aso, who enrich the narrative.

Discovering Her Mother's True Self After Her Passing

Mugiko, who aspires to be a voice actress, lives with her brother. One day, their mother, who abandoned them, suddenly reappears. Confused, Mugiko tells her, "I don't consider you my mother," and with those words, her mother passes away.
While visiting her mother's hometown for the funeral, Mugiko learns for the first time that her mother was once the town's idol. Amidst the townspeople—including her mother's stalker, her former fan club, and those who see Mugiko as a spitting image of her mother in her youth—Mugiko begins to feel her perception of her mother slowly changing as she encounters her mother's true self.
A reunion with the mother who abandoned her, followed by a sudden parting. Then, the true story of a mother and daughter begins.
"Mugiko-san"
Director & Screenplay: Keisuke Yoshida
Screenplay: Ryo Nishihara
Starring: Maki Horikita, Ryuhei Matsuda, Yumi Aso, Kimiko Yo
Production Company: Stairway
Distributor: Phantom Film
2013 / Japan / 95 min
http://www.mugiko.jp
© "Mugiko-san" Production Committee