is a 2026 Japanese post-war drama film written and directed by Miwa Nishikawa. Based on her unpublished novel of same name, it's set in Tokyo during the final days and immediate aftermath of the Second World War. It follows a 12-year-old orphaned girl who disguises herself as a boy to survive the city's dangerous underworld, while her former teacher retraces her path in search of redemption.
The film opened the Platform section of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2026, competing for the Platform Prize. It will be theatrically released in Japan by K2 Pictures on 16 October.
Synopsis In the charred ruins of 1945 Tokyo, during the final days and immediate aftermath of World War II, a young orphan 12-year-old daughter of musicians, to survive the harsh realities of the city's underworld, assumes the identity of a boy. Running parallel to her journey is that of her former teacher, who, haunted by guilt and struggling to survive herself, retraces the girl's footsteps in an attempt to uncover her fate.
Cast
Aoi Koyae as Kotoko Kayano Fumi Nikaido as Fumiko Sone Ryota Bando as Kyoichiro Morozumi Kaito Sakurai as Ritsuro Kayano Yukiya Kitamura as a detective Yō Yoshida Yuichiro Hayama Josuke Kobayashi Iwata Ryumon Shibuya Soraji Hinata Takeuchi Kotone Hanase as Hiroe Yutaka Takenouchi as Koichi Chino Junichi Okada as Toru Kikuzawa Yūko Tanaka as Kei Yamai Koji Yakusho as Jinbe Yamai
Production
Miwa Nishikawa revealed that she thought about this project during the pandemic in 2020. Aoi Koyae plays the role of 12-year-old Kotoko, who was selected from around 500 people in an audition. It is produced by Daiju Koide and Taichi Ito, with K2 Pictures serving as production company. Norimichi Kasamatsu handled the cinematography, Tomomi Kikuchi edited the film, and the musical score was composed by Marihiko Hara.
Release Children Untold opened the Platform Competition at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2026.
On 14 May 2026, Italian sales agent Intramovies acquired worldwide rights to the film, giving it a wider theatrical release.
It will be released theatrically in Japan on 16 October 2026 by K2 Pictures.
Accolades
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result Toronto International Film Festival 20 September 2026 Platform Prize Children Untold
References
External links
Children Untold at TIFF