18×2 Beyond Youthful Days is a 2024 Taiwanese-Japanese romance movie, directed by Michihito Fujii and produced by Chang Chen. The film stars Greg Hsu and Kaya Kiyohara, alongside an ensemble cast including Joseph Chang, Shunsuke Michieda, Haru Kuroki, Hitomi Kuroki, and Yutaka Matsushige. The narrative follows a recently fired Taiwanese video game developer (Hsu) on a solo trip to Japan, where he reminisces about a past romantic entanglement with a Japanese backpacker (Kiyohara) that never blossomed into a relationship.
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie on Netflix
Contents
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie Plot Summary:
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days follows Jimmy, a recently fired Taiwanese video game developer, who embarks on a soul-searching trip to Japan. During his journey, he reminisces about a romantic summer 18 years ago when he met Ami, a Japanese backpacker while working at a karaoke bar in Tainan. Despite their close bond and Jimmy’s growing feelings, Ami suddenly leaves, driven by a desire to continue her travels. In the present, Jimmy discovers that Ami has passed away and learns from her mother that Ami has been suffering from a heart condition. Through Ami’s sketchbook, Jimmy uncovers her struggles and finds closure, honoring her memory by continuing his journey without a set destination, just as she had intended.
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie Cast:
- Greg Hsu as Jimmy: A successful video game developer who embarks on a soul-searching journey in Japan after being fired from his company.
- Kaya Kiyohara as Ami: A Japanese backpacker who was romantically involved with Jimmy when they worked together at a karaoke bar in Tainan 18 years ago.
- Joseph Chang as Liu: A Taiwanese izakaya owner Jimmy encounters in Matsumoto.
- Shunsuke Michieda as Koji: A young Japanese backpacker Jimmy befriends in Nagaoka.
- Haru Kuroki as Yukiko: An internet café staff member Jimmy befriends during his stay.
- Hitomi Kuroki as Yuko: Ami’s mother who resides in Tadami.
- Yutaka Matsushige as Nakazato: A resident in Tadami who helps Jimmy find Yuko.
Additional cast members include Toyoharu Kitamura, Buffy Chen, Jane Liao, Lee Kuan-yi, Chu Chung Heng, Maggie Lu, and Figaro Tseng.
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie Production Details:
Development: The film is adapted from a travelogue titled Wandering Journey on Slow Train in Japan, written by Jimmy Lai under the pseudonym “Blue Fox”. Lai, a Taiwanese video game developer, embarked on a journey across Japan using the Seishun 18 Ticket and wrote the travelogue to reminisce about his romantic past with a Japanese backpacker. The project faced several delays and was stuck in development hell until Japanese filmmaker Michihito Fujii joined in 2019.
Pre-production: Fujii spent four years penning the screenplay. He retained several elements from Lai’s travelogue but made numerous amendments to enhance the story and characters. The production was officially announced in March 2023, with Far EasTone as a major sponsor.
Filming: Principal photography began in Japan in March 2023 and continued in Taiwan in April. The crew filmed in various locations, including Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, and several places in Taiwan, such as Tainan, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung, and New Taipei City. The film underwent six months of post-production after completing filming in May 2023.
Trailer: 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie
The official trailer for 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days is available on YouTube and various streaming platforms. It showcases the scenic beauty of both Taiwan and Japan, along with the heartfelt journey of Jimmy as he reminisces about his past and searches for closure.
Where to Watch:
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days is available to stream on Netflix. The film was released theatrically in Taiwan on March 14, 2024, and in Japan on May 3, 2024.
Here is the Netflix Link to Watch: “18×2 Beyond Youthful Days”.
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie Director:
- Michihito Fujii: A Japanese filmmaker known for his works such as Day and Night (2019) and The Brightest Roof in the Universe (2020).
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Movie Writer:
- Michihito Fujii: Besides directing, Fujii also penned the screenplay for 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days, adapting it from Jimmy Lai’s travelogue.
Languages:
The film is available in both Mandarin and Japanese, with English subtitles.
FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days about?
The film follows a recently fired Taiwanese video game developer, Jimmy, who embarks on a soul-searching journey in Japan, reminiscing about his past romantic entanglement with a Japanese backpacker named Ami. - Who stars in 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days?
The film stars Greg Hsu as Jimmy and Kaya Kiyohara as Ami, alongside Joseph Chang, Shunsuke Michieda, Haru Kuroki, Hitomi Kuroki, and Yutaka Matsushige. - Who directed 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days?
The film was directed by Michihito Fujii, a Japanese filmmaker known for his previous works such as Day and Night and The Brightest Roof in the Universe. - Is 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days based on a true story?
Yes, the film is adapted from a travelogue written by Jimmy Lai, a Taiwanese video game developer, who recorded his real-life journey across Japan and his romantic past with a Japanese backpacker. - Where was 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days filmed?
The film was shot in various locations in Japan, including Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture. Additional scenes were filmed in Taiwan, including Tainan, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung, and New Taipei City. - When was 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days released?
The film premiered at the Ambassador Theatre in Taipei on February 14, 2024. It was released theatrically in Taiwan on March 14, 2024, and in Japan on May 3, 2024. - Where can I watch 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days?
The film is available for streaming on Netflix. - What languages is 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days available in?
The film is available in Mandarin and Japanese, with subtitles in multiple languages, including English. - Who wrote the screenplay for 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days?
The screenplay was written by Michihito Fujii, who also directed the film, adapting it from Jimmy Lai’s travelogue. - What themes are explored in 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days?
The film explores themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and the impact of past relationships on one’s present and future.
Conclusion:
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days, Jimmy, grappling with the loss of Ami, uncovers her hidden struggles through her sketchbook. This revelation brings him a profound sense of closure. He honors Ami’s adventurous spirit by continuing his journey without a fixed destination, embracing the uncertainties and possibilities that life presents. This journey symbolizes his growth and acceptance, allowing him to move forward while cherishing the memories of his youthful days and the impact Ami had on his life.
Also read: 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days Taiwanese-Japanese Movie OTT Release Date: Everything You Need to Know
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