Ishikawa Hiroshi Returns With First Feature in 13 Years, 'The Blue We Touch'
Japanese director Ishikawa Hiroshi is making his first feature in 13 years with 'The Blue We Touch,' also known as 'Awo no Jo.' The film is in post-production and is scheduled for a 2027 release in Japan through Bitters End. It is an ensemble drama about former friends and centers on Nao as Mitsu, a 29-year-old contract web designer.
Ishikawa Hiroshi, whose earlier work includes Tokyo.sora, Su-ki-da and Petal Dance, is returning after a 13-year gap between features. His new project, also titled Awo no Jo, is in post-production and is set for a 2027 Japanese release through Bitters End. The company announced it before the Tokyo International Film Festival’s TIFFCOM market.
The ensemble drama concerns former friends and centers on Nao’s Mitsu, a 29-year-old contract web designer who wants a permanent position and work that connects with viewers. She is drawn to Fujino, portrayed by Nakajima Ayumu, who oversees HR at her firm, and begins to reveal grievances she had long kept private.
The film’s release could matter most to followers of Japanese independent cinema and festival audiences, who may see Ishikawa’s return as a chance to revisit his distinctive ensemble style. For viewers drawn to stories about precarious work and friendship, Mitsu’s situation may invite reflection on contract employment and unspoken workplace feelings. Its 2027 rollout through Bitters End could also give the title a modest platform in Japan’s specialty market, though its broader social reach may depend on festival reception and critical attention.