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Fantasy drama

Happyend (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Happyend (2025) movie poster

Happyend is a 2025 fantasy drama directed by Neo Sora, starring Makiko Watanabe as Yoko, Ayumu Nakajima and Shirô Sano. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$1.2M
Echo Score
75
Metascore
75
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Happyend (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Neo Sora
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Happyend About?

The premise of Happyend without spoilers.

In a near-future Tokyo overshadowed by the constant threat of a devastating earthquake, two close friends are nearing the end of their high school years. A mischievous prank targeting their principal results in the installation of a school-wide surveillance system. As a tense national political climate develops, the friends find themselves at odds, navigating the restrictive security measures and grappling with growing ideological differences that challenge their bond.

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Cast & crew

Happyend Cast & Characters

Makiko Watanabe leads the cast as Yoko, with Ayumu Nakajima as Okada and Shirô Sano as Principal Nagai. Directed by Neo Sora; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Happyend

· 9 more
From the director

More from Neo Sora

More films directed by Neo Sora, best-rated first: Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus, A Very Straight Neck, Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022 and Sugar Glass Bottle.

Full filmography
Ratings

Happyend Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Happyend 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Happyend Echo Score Breakdown

Happyend excels in delivering an emotionally resonant coming-of-age drama that intertwines personal and societal commentary. Critics highlight its reflection of universal adolescent struggles, its layer of mirrored political dimensions, and its measured blend of melancholy and hope. The film’s subtle use of musical and atmospheric elements further deepens its contemplative tone. However, some assessments note a thin narrative framework that undercuts urgency at times. Overall, Happyend strikes a thoughtful balance between thematic depth and understated stylistic restraint.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of Art & Craft, Happyend demonstrates careful directorial focus and visual restraint. The film’s understated color palette and deliberate shot compositions convey a quietly haunting mood. Production design remains economical but cohesive, supporting the narrative setting without distraction. Although editing occasionally feels measured to a fault, it maintains clarity of tone throughout. Overall, the film’s craft underpins its thematic intentions with thoughtful precision.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    In terms of Character & Emotion, the film offers nuanced portraits of adolescent uncertainty and resilience. Protagonists navigate pangs of doubt, anger, and fleeting hope with understated authenticity. Emotional textures are enriched by subtle performances and credible character arcs that reflect universal coming-of-age tensions. Chemistry among the ensemble lends cohesion to collective struggles. The net result is an emotionally resonant portrayal that remains quietly compelling.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative presents an original thematic framework but occasionally lacks narrative urgency. Plot developments unfold with measured pacing, offering thoughtful social commentary yet sometimes feeling thin in dramatic momentum. The film’s dual portrayal of resistance and resignation provides conceptual depth, though the split remains ambiguous. As a result, engagement varies between contemplative resonance and moments of restrained momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of Sensory Experience, Happyend employs a subtly fervent score and atmospheric sound design to enhance its reflective tone. Music emerges as a key narrative element, underscoring individual expression against a backdrop of conformity. Visually, the film relies on cohesive framing and an understated palette to convey emotional undercurrents. Soundscapes and imagery work in tandem to create a quietly immersive environment that supports the film’s thematic intentions.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Happyend offers layered commentary and emotional nuance that may reveal subtleties on subsequent viewings. The film’s reflective pacing and thematic intersections encourage reconsideration of its narrative mirrors and atmospheric cues. While its restrained structure could feel deliberate on first impression, the interplay between music, visuals, and character moments provides ongoing points of interest. Ultimately, the film’s quiet depth lends it measurable lasting appeal.

Box office

Happyend Box Office

Happyend grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $51,642 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (96%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$51.6K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

Happyend Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

Teaser [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Teaser [Subtitled]
  • Featurette Neo Sora and Shina Peng on Happyend
Details

Happyend Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Earthquake” and “ハッピーエンド”.

Also known as
  • Earthquake
  • ハッピーエンド
  • HAPPY END
  • 青春末世物语
  • 해피엔드
  • 昨日青春
  • 青春末世物語
  • วันที่โลกสั่นไหว

Seen Happyend?

FAQ

Happyend FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Happyend, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Happyend?

Happyend runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was Happyend released?

Happyend was released on June 20, 2025.

Who directed Happyend?

Happyend was directed by Neo Sora.

More films by Neo Sora

Who is in the cast of Happyend?

Happyend stars Makiko Watanabe as Yoko, Ayumu Nakajima as Okada and Shirô Sano as Principal Nagai, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Happyend make at the box office?

Happyend grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($51,642 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Happyend rated?

Happyend has 6.8/10 on IMDb and 75 on Metacritic.

Does Happyend have a post-credit scene?

No. Happyend has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Happyend in?

The original language of Happyend is Japanese.

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