Aya Omasa to star in the live-action adaptation of “Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan”

By kevin on May 25, 2010 at 9:53pm EDT

Hitoma Iruma’s popular light novel Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan is being turned into a live-action adaptation starring former fashion model Aya Omasa. The original work has sold over 900,000 copies while pushing the boundaries of content usually found in light novels, which are usually read by young teens.

Oomasa, an up-and-coming young actress who recently garnered attention for her memorable starring role in the TBS drama “Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge”, will play Mayu Misono, aka Maa-chan. The challenging role will require her to drastically shift from grief to cheerfulness to extreme anger. Maa-chan was involved in an incredibly traumatic incident as a child which left her mentally scarred. Because of this, she’s capable of unpredictable cruelty, but also sometimes reverts to a child-like personality when she’s around Mii-kun (Shota Sometani), a childhood acquaintance.

The story takes place in a countryside town where two young siblings have recently disappeared. Mii-chan is reunited with Maa-chan after years apart and the two begin living together, but it’s soon discovered that she has the two missing children held captive. Much of the film involves the awkward love between Mii-chan, a habitual liar, and Maa-chan, who can’t seem to overcome the tragedy of her past.

When casting the pivotal role of Maa-chan, the production staff were reportedly searching for someone similar to Kou Shibasaki (Battle Royale, Dororo), and unanimously picked Omasa as the actress that best fit that description. Experienced actresses Kyoka Suzuki and Tomoko Tabata have also been cast.

The film will be directed by Natsuki Seta, a Tokyo University of the Arts graduate who has worked mostly on indie films until now.

Kadokawa Pictures will be releasing “Usotsuki Mii-kun to Kowareta Maa-chan” in Japan sometime next year.

Sources: Tokyograph, Cinema Today