The 8-Year Engagement

2017 1h 59m JA

👍

7.3

SOLID

★7.3TMDB · 61

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Hisashi and Mai are a happy couple in their 20s who are engaged to be married. But three months before their wedding, Mai becomes seriously ill. Her heart stops momentarily, and she falls into a deep coma. Hisashi visits Mai at the hospital every day before work. With no idea if or when she will ever awake, Mai’s parents encourage Hisashi to find someone else, but he refuses to give up and continues to pray for her recovery. As if his prayers are answered, Mai begins to regain consciousness several years later, and even utters a few words. But tragically, she has suffered brain damage and has no memory of Hisashi.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Takeru Satoh
Hisashi
Tao Tsuchiya
Mai Nakahara
Hiroko Yakushimaru
Hatsumi Nakahara
Tetta Sugimoto
Koji Nakahara
Kazuki Kitamura
Shibata
Kenta Hamano
Kosuke Murota
Yuri Nakamura
岛尾真美子 Mamiko Shimao
Keisuke Horibe
Doctor Wada

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Takahisa Zeze
Writers: Yoshikazu Okada
Languages: Japanese
Countries: Japan

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 9 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Takahisa Zeze, shot by Kōichi Saitō. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Takatsugu Muramatsu. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Ryo Hayano shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Takeru Satoh and Tao Tsuchiya and Hiroko Yakushimaru carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt6313348 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 61 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Takahisa Zeze directs. Kōichi Saitō behind the camera. Takatsugu Muramatsu scores. Ryo Hayano cuts. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 9 years ago.
2Directed by Takahisa Zeze, shot by Kōichi Saitō. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Takatsugu Muramatsu. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Ryo Hayano shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Takeru Satoh and Tao Tsuchiya and Hiroko Yakushimaru carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt6313348 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 61 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Kōichi Saitō
Original score: Takatsugu Muramatsu
Editing: Ryo Hayano
Production design: Keiko Mitsumatsu
Makeup / hair: Tomomi Arai
Runtime: 119 min · 1h 59m
Status: Released
Original language: JA
Certification (US): G
IMDB: The 8-Year Engagement (2017)

Also by

Takahisa Zeze

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2026-07-17
★ 8/10
8 Years of Engagement is a touching romantic drama based on a true story that explores unwavering love, commitment, and hope in the face of uncertainty. Anchored by heartfelt performances from Takeru Satoh and Tao Tsuchiya, the film delivers an emotional journey that highlights the meaning of staying true to a promise despite overwhelming challenges. Although its pacing is gentle, it is a rewarding watch for anyone who appreciates sincere, character-driven romance. BY ALUNAUWIE

Production companies