April Story (bluray) slipcase version

APRIL STORY (1998) is a tender, minimalist coming-of-age romance from acclaimed Japanese director Shunji Iwai.

Set against the soft bloom of springtime Tokyo, the film follows Uzuki Nireno (Takako Matsu), a shy young woman who leaves her quiet hometown of Hokkaido to begin university life in the city. With few words and gentle observation, Shunji Iwai captures Uzuki’s small, meaningful moments of solitude—unpacking boxes, riding her bicycle through cherry-blossom streets, and finding comfort in routine.

At the heart of the story is Uzuki’s unspoken longing for a boy she once admired from afar, now working at a local bookstore near her campus. Rather than leaning on conventional romance, APRIL STORY explores emotional anticipation: the courage it takes to speak, to be seen, and to step into adulthood. The film’s restrained performances, natural lighting, and delicate pacing create an atmosphere that feels intimate and achingly real.

Celebrated for its poetic simplicity and seasonal beauty, APRIL STORY has become a beloved classic of 1990s Japanese cinema. For collectors and fans of introspective romance, this APRIL STORY bluray offers an ideal way to experience the film’s soft visuals, subtle sound design, and timeless emotional resonance in high definition—perfectly preserving a story about quiet hope, first love, and new beginnings.

We recommend also to get LOVE LETTER (1995) also directed by Shunji Iwai and often seen as a companion piece given the exploration of similar themes.