Ikuta Toma & Hirose Suzu in forbidden romance for new movie "Sensei!"

Ikuta Toma and Hirose Suzu will be involved in a forbidden romance between a teacher and his student for the new movie "Sensei!" (Teacher) which will be shown during autumn 2017. The movie which is based on the same-titled manga by Kawahara Kazune that was serialised in Bessatsu Margaret between 1996 and 2003 and had sold more than 5.7 million copies to date, features Ikuta as a world history teacher Ito Kousaku who seems aloof on the surface but treats his students very well and thinks a lot for them. Upon interacting with Ito, his student Shimada Hibiki (Hirose) falls in love with him and confesses her feelings for him. However, Ito is hardly moved by this as he had grown to distrust women due to his last breakup. Nonetheless, Hibiki's love finally moves him and the two of them begin a forbidden romance as they grapple with the tough circumstances they are in.

As Ikuta had worked with the director Miki Takahiro before in the 2012 movies "Bokura ga ita", this is the first time in 5 years that he is appearing in another romance movie. The script will be written by Okada Mari who was responsible for the anime, novel and movie versions of "Ano hi mita hana no namae wo bokutachi wa mada shiranai" and "Kokoro ga sakebitagatterunda". In preparation for the filming, Hirose had to undergo more than 1.5 months of training in archery as Hibiki is a member of the archery club.

Ikuta commented that he is looking forward to working with Hirose for the first time and hopes to be able to play his role well. As for Hirose, she feels a bit shy about acting in such a love story but will try hard to convey her character's love for Ito-sensei.

Filming begins next month.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi / Oricon