From “The Stranger By the Beach”, which will be released on Sep. 11, 2020,
Murata Taishi as Hashimoto Shun and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu as Chibana Mio left some comments about their feelings about the work, and messages for the fans looking forward to its release. A special gift for visitors by Kii Knna has also been announced.

“The Stranger By the Beach” is based on the BL comic by Kii Kanna. It depicts a fresh love story between a young writer and a boy, which takes place on an island in Okinawa.

Ahead of its release, comments from Murata Taishi as Hashimoto Shun and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu as Chibana Mio have arrived.
Matsuoka Yoshitsugu as Chibana Mio talks about his feelings to the work as he also voiced the drama CD before, saying “I remember that Murata-san, and I said that we wanted to see the anime adaptation.”

Furthermore, Kii Kanna's original large coaster has been announced as a gift for visitors during the 1st week. The coaster features Mio in his childhood eating Kanikamanma (rice with crab sticks).

<Full comments are below.>
Murata Taishi as Hashimoto Shun

Q. How did you feel when “The Stranger By the Beach” had been decided to become an anime adaptation, and when you had been chosen as a cast and read a script?

I had mixed feelings. I was grateful that I could play the role again after the drama CD, and had high expectation for its visualization. On top of that, I was so glad that I could play the scene of the encounter with Mio again. Our life has changed a lot. Mio is gradually growing up, and Shun is trying hard even though he is not that tough. It was an impressive scene, which I played at the very beginning of the drama CD, so I was very excited. The script is full of “love for The Stranger By the Beach” from producers, especially for the Togaki(stage director). I want to show you right now (laugh). I want to play the role, keeping their enthusiasm in my heart.

Q. Kii-sensei took part in designing and supervising the characters and also producing the work. Can you tell about the main attraction?

I personally like the comical expressions that Kii Kanna-sensei draws, which I want you to enjoy as well. She changed the character's serious expression to comical based on the original work, which made it a lot easier for me to play. The best thing of all is the combination of Okinawa and cats. The spacious landscape of Okinawa and beauty, which doesn't need to be explained. This is an ideal life of my old age. Please watch the anime while felling Okinawa and cats.

Q. Please leave some messages for the fans looking forward to “The Stranger By the Beach”.

Thank you for waiting for the release!
This anime adaptation described Mio and Shun's love story more delicately. One person cares of another. It sounds natural, but actually very complicated…I thought about it twice. Please watch it relax in a gentle world of “The Stranger By the Beach”, and following your heart. Even if you are watching the Stranger series for the first time, you will sympathize with some point. Please look forward to The Stranger By the Beach.

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu as Chibana Mio

Q. How did you feel when “The Stranger By the Beach” had been decided to be anime adaptation, and when you had been chosen as a cast and read a script?

It's been a long time since the drama CD, but I remember that Murata-san and I had been saying that we wanted to see the anime adaptation in the talk part of the drama CD.
Initially, it was half-joking, but we got excited to hear the anime adaptation!
I was glad when I was chosen as a cast, but I was really nervous at the same time as it was the first time for me to play in a BL anime.
When I read the script, I felt it was consistent from the beginning to the end. I could immediately get into the character's world as the memory of the drama CD before returned.

Q. Kii-sensei took part in designing and supervising the characters and also producing the work. Can you tell me the main attraction?

I was wondering how I should express the Mio, who became alone
in his youth, but the scene she drew accurately recreates the character, which made it a lot easier for me to play. I was just attracted by the beautiful video.
I want to go to the world like this once! I want to travel there! I want to dive into the sea!
You will be able to naturally get into the world along the beach, so please enjoy the world The Stranger By the Beach creates.

Q. Please leave some messages for the fans who are looking forward to “The Stranger By the Beach”.

I did my best. I hope I can leave something to stay in your heart.
This story will make you feel a lot. It was great, beautiful, painful and others.
Please enjoy each feeling that you will have.

(C)Kii Kanna/Shodensha, The Stranger By the Beach Production Committee
(C)Kii Kanna/Shodensha on BLUE comics