Difference between revisions of "Asako I & II"

Latest revision as of 21:26, 19 January 2026

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Movie: Asako I & II (English title) / Sleeping or Waking (literal title)
Romaji: Netemo Sametemo
Japanese: 寝ても覚めても
Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Writer: Tomoka Shibasaki (novel), Sachiko Tanaka, Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Producer: Yuji Sadai, Akihisa Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Hattori
Cinematographer: Yasuyuki Sasaki
Assistant Director: Yu Koreyasu
World Premiere: May 14, 2018 (Cannes Film Festival)
Release Date: September 1, 2018
Runtime: 119 min.
Distributor: Bitters End
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Asako (Erika Karata) is 21-year-old woman, living in Osaka. She falls in love with Baku (Masahiro Higashide) who has a free spirit. One day, Baku suddenly disappears.

2 years later, Asako now lives in Tokyo and she meets meets Ryohei (Masahiro Higashide). He looks just like her ex-boyfriend Baku, but he has a completely different personality. Ryohei is a salaryman, with a sincere personality. Asako falls in love with Ryohei, but ...

Notes

Based on novel "Netemo Sametemo" by Tomoka Shibasaki (published September, 2010 by Kawade Shobo Shinsha Publishers inc.).
"Asako I & II" screened at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in the "In Competition" section.
Movie's theme song is "River" by Tofubeats.

Cast



Masahiro Higashide	Masahiro Higashide	Erika Karata	Koji Seto	Rio Yamashita
Baku	Ryohei	Asako	Kushihashi	Maya



Sairi Ito	Daichi Watanabe	Koji Nakamoto	Misako Tanaka
Haruyo	Okazaki	Hirakawa	Eiko

Additional Cast Members:

Trailers

Comments

AbbyHana12 Dec 12 2022 10:45 pm This movie a little bit slow and kinda sad. But after i read @NotAsako's comment.. I realise that we would do the same choice like Asako did.. She still can't forget Baku.. but it's a little bit disappointed.. I guess this is a good movie with a little bit betrayal.. But good if you want to try watch it..

NotAsako Sep 03 2021 8:43 am The common keywords in many reviews for this movie is all negative towards the lead female actor. Thankfully I saw this film before I read the tabloid.

Here's a simple honest review if you are one of those still curious about the film. This is one of those film worth the watch, if you are into human psychological realism genre.

This movie did a really good job in separating the role between the THREE characters (played by two actors) and how they gradually evolve in to the very thing they hope they were not. This film successfully draw you into these characters. I know very well Asako would betray her moral, and yet you root for her not to.

The character's choices at the end is disappointing, yet it reminds us, that is the reality happening all around us. We all made this kind of mistakes once that we secretly glad we've committed to.

Try watch this film with zero expectations, and you'll understand why these actors were committed to their 'roles' in to reality.

Laouren Jun 19 2020 4:54 am If I'd known about the betrayal beforehand, I wouldn't have been able to watch this movie... So sad :(

Watanabe Feb 06 2020 4:51 am When I first watched this, I thought it was beautiful and I loved it. But I just dislike the lead actress for some reason, maybe her acting is terrible. Then when I heard about Masahiro divorced with his wife Ann, and came to discover that the thirt party is Erika Karata who had work with Masahiro in Asako I & II, I thought maybe it is why I hated her in this film.

Dince May 25 2019 7:00 pm I love this movie, but hate the lead actress. Her acting was terrible. I can keep up just because the story was fantastic and Masahiro carry this movie.

I love chocolates Apr 13 2019 11:24 am This movie was beautiful. I really don't like open endings but I think it matched well. It showed that relationships and protagonists don't necessarily have to be perfect and can make mistakes and dumb decisions and it's alright not to have a flawless relationship. Much recommended if you're looking for some (finally because Japanese skinship is usually terrible) good kisses, reality and slice of life. Many good themes were shown throughout. Really liked it, got me thinking.

KuroNeko Apr 23 2018 3:00 pm No Erika !!! You finally kissed :'(

444 Apr 21 2018 8:45 am It's sound like Beyond the Memories i think

Desiree Apr 20 2018 5:46 pm Higashide married well.....

Mim Apr 12 2018 12:34 pm Good luck in Cannes!

Evertical19 Nov 22 2017 7:15 pm @kemal alza Same here! Was Basically looking for info. about Erika Karata cuz' of the Happy End MV.

kemal alza Oct 17 2017 9:14 am im here because of Back number - Happy end MV, lookin' for erika karata

Silverheart Sep 26 2017 6:20 am Looks interesting and plus it's Masahiro my baby

berceuse Jul 08 2017 6:04 pm Another movie added to ma list!

Luna Jul 05 2017 8:48 am sounds like Ao Haru Ride, a little bit

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 |5charactername=Maya
 |6picture=File:Asako I II-Sairi Itoh.jpg
-|6name=Sairi Itoh
+|6name=Sairi Ito
 |6charactername=Haruyo
 |7picture=File:Asako I II-Daichi Watanabe.jpg

Difference between revisions of "Asako I & II"

Latest revision as of 21:26, 19 January 2026

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

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