Sinsin and the Mouse: A Story of Grief and Small Moments
Sinsin and the Mouse centers on Chizumi, a young woman grieving the recent loss of her mother, who travels to Taipei at a friend's invitation in hopes of finding some distance from her sorrow. There she encounters Sinsin, a young man whose presence becomes unexpectedly important to her. What unfolds isn't a grand romance — it's something quieter, more fragile. The film follows their encounters through the city's unfamiliar streets and their conversations, as Chizumi gradually begins to process her loss and discover small moments of warmth and hope.
What We Know So Far
According to eiga.com, Sinsin and the Mouse is adapted from "Sinsin and the Mouse," a short story by acclaimed Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto, from her collection "Mittens and Pity." Director Yukinori Makabe — who's made previous appearances at Glasgow Film Festival — co-wrote the screenplay with Noriko Kato, drawing on Yoshimoto's original material.
The cast includes Yukino Kishii in the lead role as Chizumi, alongside Tseng Jing-hua as Sinsin. A supporting ensemble rounds out the story: Kisetsu Fujiwara, Seina Nakata, Tokio Emoto, Kayo Ise, Kisuke Iida, and Kimiko Yo, along with Taiwanese actors Lin Chen-Hsi, Angel Lee, and Lin Mei-Jen. The film runs 108 minutes and carries a G rating. Production companies Robot Communications and Flash Forward Entertainment are behind the project, which was selected as an excellent film plan in the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion section.
Why This Matters
Yoshimoto's fiction has a particular gift — she writes about loneliness and connection in ways that feel both intimate and universal, and her characters often find solace not in grand gestures but in quiet companionship. That sensibility seems central to what Makabe's bringing to the screen. A two-character romance set in a city neither protagonist fully knows? That's a setup that could easily collapse into sentimentality. The fact that it's rooted in genuine emotional weight — a woman working through real grief — suggests something more substantial.
What's striking is that we're getting a Japan–Taiwan co-production centered on this kind of understated emotional storytelling. It's not the blockbuster formula. It's the kind of film that trusts its audience to sit with discomfort, to find meaning in small exchanges. Whether Makabe's direction and the chemistry between Kishii and Tseng can sustain that trust across 108 minutes — that's what we'll find out.
Release Date and Where to Watch
Sinsin and the Mouse is scheduled for theatrical release in Japan on June 26, 2026, distributed by Culture Publishers. The film is not yet available to stream or purchase. Movie OTT will track platform availability and release announcements as they're confirmed — check the Where-to-Watch widget below for updates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sinsin and the Mouse releasing? The film is set for theatrical release in Japan on June 26, 2026. International release dates haven't been announced yet.
Is Sinsin and the Mouse out yet? No. The film hasn't been released to the public. It premiered at Glasgow Film Festival in March 2026 but is not yet available to watch.
Where will I be able to watch Sinsin and the Mouse? Streaming and digital availability haven't been confirmed. Movie OTT will update our listings as distribution deals are announced for different regions.
Who directed Sinsin and the Mouse? Yukinori Makabe directed and co-wrote the film alongside Noriko Kato. It's based on a short story by Banana Yoshimoto.
What's the runtime? The film runs 108 minutes.
What to Anticipate
There's something to be said for a film that doesn't announce itself loudly — that trusts a simple premise and asks audiences to care about two people finding each other in an unfamiliar city. Sinsin and the Mouse isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's a focused, intimate story about grief and connection, and if Makabe and his cast can deliver on that promise, it'll be worth the wait.
