The Name 2018
A poignant 2018 Japanese drama directed by Akihiro Toda, *The Name* follows Masao, a 45-year-old man who has hit rock bottom after his business collapse and divorce.
Director: Akihiro Toda
Cast
Kanji Tsuda
Masao Nakamura
Ren Komai
Emiko Hayama
Tamotsu Kansyuji
Shoya Enomoto
Honoka Matsumoto
Rio Uchida
Ryo Ikeda
Noriko Kohara
Miho Kanazawa
Rino Higa
Kana Mahiro
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Name (2018) about?
*The Name* tells the story of Masao, a divorced man drowning in failure and isolation after losing his business. His life changes when Emiko, a enigmatic teenage girl, enters his world, teasing and testing him until he slowly begins to trust her. Their connection becomes a mirror for his own loneliness, forcing him to grapple with his past mistakes and the fragile hope for something better.
Who directed The Name?
The film was directed by Akihiro Toda, a filmmaker known for his sensitive storytelling and intimate character studies.
Who stars in The Name?
The film features Kanji Tsuda in the lead role alongside Ren Komai, Tamotsu Kansyuji, Honoka Matsumoto, and Rio Uchida.
Is The Name (2018) worth watching?
With its delicate exploration of human connection and redemption, *The Name* is a rewarding watch for fans of slow-burn dramas. While its tone is melancholic, the film's emotional honesty and understated performances make it quietly compelling. It may not be flashy, but its quiet power lingers.
How long is The Name?
The film runs for 114 minutes.
About The Name (2018) — A Divided Man's Unlikely Reawakening
A poignant 2018 Japanese drama directed by Akihiro Toda, *The Name* follows Masao, a 45-year-old man who has hit rock bottom after his business collapse and divorce. Living in Ibaraki with little purpose, his stagnant life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious teenage girl named Emiko appears in his life. Though she toys with him at first, her presence slowly awakens something in Masao—his ability to open up, to feel, and to rediscover hope in small, fleeting moments. As their connection deepens, so does the ambiguity of her identity and intentions, leaving him—and the audience—questioning what's real and what's not.
Set against the quiet backdrop of rural Japan, *The Name* explores themes of loneliness, second chances, and the fragile bonds that form when life seems most barren. With a somber yet tender atmosphere, Toda crafts a story that lingers long after the credits roll, blending subtle drama with moments of unexpected warmth. The film's emotional core lies in its quiet revelations, as Masao and Emiko's relationship forces him to confront his past and confront the possibility of a future he thought he'd lost forever.
