Blue (2002 film)

 Blue  is a 2002 Japanese romantic drama directed by Hiroshi Ando based on the manga of the same name by Kiriko Nananan. The film stars Mikako Ichikawa as Kayako Kirishima and Manami Konishi as Masami Endo. The film was first shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2002, and was released in Japanese theaters in 2003.

The film is about two teenage girls, Kayako Kirishima and Masami Endō, who find their friendship turning into something more.

Plot
Kayako Kirishima, in her third year at a high school, feels a sense of isolation in school life and vague admiration and uneasiness about the future. One day she makes friends with Endō, who is isolated from her surroundings because she remained in the same class for another year. Kayako is strongly attracted by Endō, who shows her a world that she didn't know.

Cast

 * Mikako Ichikawa as Kayako Kirishima
 * Manami Konishi as Masami Endō
 * Asami Imajuku as Mieko Nakano
 * Ayano Nakamura as Chika Watanabe
 * Sosuke Takaoka as Mizuuchi Manabu
 * Jun Murakami as Older man

Reception
Variety called the film impressive but overlong.

Awards

 * 24th Moscow International Film Festival : Best Actress Prize (Mikako Ichikawa)

Location

 * Niigata
 * Bandai Bridge
 * Furumachi
 * Niigata Station
 * Takaoka, Toyama