Shunji Iwai entrusted the monster with the future of mini-theaters and humans. The film "A 12-Day Story of a Monster That Died in 8 Days" is now in theaters.

The corona continues to rage around the world. Politics and economics have stalled, and people's lives are in dire straits. Entertainment, which had supported the Japanese cultural scene, is no exception.

The film "A 12-Day Story of a Monster That Died in 8 Days" was set in motion by the desire to deliver new entertainment under such circumstances. Launched by five directors, including "Shin Godzilla" director Shinji Higuchi, "Capsule Monster ProjectThis film is an extra chapter in the series and is directed by Shunji Iwai, who is well known for "Swallowtail," "A Tale of April," and "All About Lily Chou-Chou" among others.

~Story ~.
Satou Takumi (Takumi Saito) bought a capsule monster on a mail-order website that will fight Corona. Takumi delivers daily updates on the monster's growth, and is contacted by various people, including Non Marudo (Non), a junior who says he bought the alien via mail order, and Okamoto Sou (So Takei), a senior who has lost his job due to Corona. The monster grows day by day, but apparently it is a different kind of monster than the one YouTuber Moekasu (Hoshi Moeka) raises. Takumi asks director Higuchi (Higuchi Shinji), who knows a lot about monsters, for his know-how, and raises the monster day by day. Will Takumi be able to raise the monster properly? And will he be able to defeat Corona?

Takumi Saito plays the main character, Satou Takumi. Recently, he has been not only an actor but also a director, producer, and commentator, carrying the industry on his shoulders as a next-generation filmmaker. In this film, he uses his outstanding acting skills to play a trick even under the special circumstances of remote filming, and firmly supports the axis of the story.

In response to a love call from director Iwai, NON made an additional appearance in the theater version. Although this was surprisingly her first participation in Iwai's team, she brings a light and edgy presence to the screen as well. Also playing the role of Satou Takumi's senior, Okamoto Sou, is Takei Sou. Hoshi Moeka, who has appeared in a number of high-profile films, plays the role of YouTuber "Moekasu.

Also providing a gentle push to the film is Kyoko Koizumi. Again, in response to the director's enthusiastic offer, she rearranged her 1987 classic "Take Me Fanta Jen" and self-covered it as the theme song.

While capturing the deserted Tokyo of the Corona disaster, the film depicts the small exchanges, feuds, and silences between the monsters and us humans that take place in a corner of the city. This film, shot almost entirely remotely, is a work of fiction, but at the same time it feels like a documentary. We hope that you will experience with your own eyes and ears the glimmer of light that this work gives to the world.

Please allow me to close with a comment from the director.

（The corona, the disaster of the century, is now raging around the world. This is a situation that no one can afford to ignore. We in the entertainment industry were among the first to suffer the devastating effects of this disaster. I am in the position of creating work. I have never felt the weight of that responsibility as strongly as I have this time. I feel that creating this work itself was the least I could do to resist the Corona disaster. I hope that this work will at least be a comfort to someone in the midst of these restless days. That is how I feel. Shunji Iwai

*A portion of the proceeds from this film will be used to support mini-theaters.