Hit Horror Novel 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' (320,000 Copies Sold) Live-Action Movie to be Released July 3! Long-Awaited Second Book Also Announced.
Poplar Publishing announced that the live-action movie adaptation of Sesuji's hit horror novel 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth,' which has sold over 320,000 copies, will be released on July 3, 2026. Directed by Takashi Shimizu and starring Rihito Itagaki, the film's release will coincide with the publication of the sequel novel 'Eyes' in late June.
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The live-action film adaptation of the blockbuster horror novel 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' (written by Sesuji), published by Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd. in September 2024 and currently exceeding 320,000 copies (including e-books), is set to be released in theaters on Friday, July 3, 2026. Ahead of the release, the main trailer and main visual have also been unveiled.
The cast features a luxurious lineup of actors who are currently garnering the most attention among the younger generation, including Rihito Itagaki in his first solo lead role in a live-action film, Keito Tsuna, Ai Yoshikawa, MOMONA (ME:I), Shuto Mori (BUDDiiS), and Tomoki Nishiyama (TAGRIGHT).
The director is Takashi Shimizu, the master of J-horror (known for 'Ju-On'). He will deliver a '90-minute ultimate fear experience' that invades the daily lives of the audience!
The story begins with college students heading to a cemetery known as a haunted spot for a test of courage. However, the next day, one female student disappears suddenly. All that remains are the 'unfathomable testimonies' of the five students who visited the cemetery. What exactly happened that night? What awaits those who learn the 'truth' derived from the testimonies...?
The original novel, 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth,' shocked the world with its size—smaller than a smartphone—and its ability to deliver intense horror in a short story of just 60 pages. The author is Sesuji, who is also known for the hit horror novel 'About a Certain Place in the Kinki Region' (KADOKAWA), which was also adapted into a movie last summer.
Furthermore, the publication of the long-awaited second book, 'Eyes,' has been decided! It is scheduled for release in late June 2026.
Please enjoy both the movie and the book!
About the Movie 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth'
What happened that night? A 'terrifying conclusion' that must never be spoken aloud is hidden within the unfathomable testimonies. Experience the 'mouth-related' chilling mystery at a movie theater. Once you speak it, it's the end.
[Synopsis]
'I'll tell you what happened that night.'
A group of college students went for a test of courage after hearing rumors about a cursed tree in a cemetery famous as a haunted spot. However, one of them went missing the next day. From that day on, mysterious things began to happen around them, and they were gradually cornered by something... What really happened that day? What is the 'terrifying conclusion' revealed by the testimonies of that day?
[Production Information]
Cast: Rihito Itagaki, Keito Tsuna, Ai Yoshikawa, MOMONA (ME:I), Shuto Mori (BUDDiiS), Tomoki Nishiyama (TAGRIGHT), Tokio Emoto / Shido Nakamura
Original Work: Sesuji 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' (published by Poplar Publishing)
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Production: 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' Movie Production Committee
Distribution: Shochiku
Official Site: https://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/kuchi-movie/
Official X: @kuchi_movie
About the Novel 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth'
This work has become a huge topic mainly on social media as a 'new sensory reading experience' that allows you to feel fear in a story of just 60 pages with a size smaller than a smartphone. It has surpassed a total of 320,000 copies (including e-books). It ranked 7th in the 'First Half of 2025 Bestsellers' (Tankobon Fiction) by Nippon Shuppan Hanbai and 4th in the 'This Horror is Great! 2025 Edition' (Takarajimasha) in the horror novel best 20 (domestic category), remaining popular even over a year after its release.
Author Profile
Sesuji: Debuted in 2023 with 'About a Certain Place in the Kinki Region' (KADOKAWA). The same work ranked 1st in 'This Horror is Great! 2024 Edition'. Recent works include 'About a Defiled Holy Site Pilgrimage' (KADOKAWA).
The cast features a luxurious lineup of actors who are currently garnering the most attention among the younger generation, including Rihito Itagaki in his first solo lead role in a live-action film, Keito Tsuna, Ai Yoshikawa, MOMONA (ME:I), Shuto Mori (BUDDiiS), and Tomoki Nishiyama (TAGRIGHT).
The director is Takashi Shimizu, the master of J-horror (known for 'Ju-On'). He will deliver a '90-minute ultimate fear experience' that invades the daily lives of the audience!
The story begins with college students heading to a cemetery known as a haunted spot for a test of courage. However, the next day, one female student disappears suddenly. All that remains are the 'unfathomable testimonies' of the five students who visited the cemetery. What exactly happened that night? What awaits those who learn the 'truth' derived from the testimonies...?
The original novel, 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth,' shocked the world with its size—smaller than a smartphone—and its ability to deliver intense horror in a short story of just 60 pages. The author is Sesuji, who is also known for the hit horror novel 'About a Certain Place in the Kinki Region' (KADOKAWA), which was also adapted into a movie last summer.
Furthermore, the publication of the long-awaited second book, 'Eyes,' has been decided! It is scheduled for release in late June 2026.
Please enjoy both the movie and the book!
About the Movie 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth'
What happened that night? A 'terrifying conclusion' that must never be spoken aloud is hidden within the unfathomable testimonies. Experience the 'mouth-related' chilling mystery at a movie theater. Once you speak it, it's the end.
[Synopsis]
'I'll tell you what happened that night.'
A group of college students went for a test of courage after hearing rumors about a cursed tree in a cemetery famous as a haunted spot. However, one of them went missing the next day. From that day on, mysterious things began to happen around them, and they were gradually cornered by something... What really happened that day? What is the 'terrifying conclusion' revealed by the testimonies of that day?
[Production Information]
Cast: Rihito Itagaki, Keito Tsuna, Ai Yoshikawa, MOMONA (ME:I), Shuto Mori (BUDDiiS), Tomoki Nishiyama (TAGRIGHT), Tokio Emoto / Shido Nakamura
Original Work: Sesuji 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' (published by Poplar Publishing)
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Production: 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth' Movie Production Committee
Distribution: Shochiku
Official Site: https://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/kuchi-movie/
Official X: @kuchi_movie
About the Novel 'Surveys Concerning the Mouth'
This work has become a huge topic mainly on social media as a 'new sensory reading experience' that allows you to feel fear in a story of just 60 pages with a size smaller than a smartphone. It has surpassed a total of 320,000 copies (including e-books). It ranked 7th in the 'First Half of 2025 Bestsellers' (Tankobon Fiction) by Nippon Shuppan Hanbai and 4th in the 'This Horror is Great! 2025 Edition' (Takarajimasha) in the horror novel best 20 (domestic category), remaining popular even over a year after its release.
Author Profile
Sesuji: Debuted in 2023 with 'About a Certain Place in the Kinki Region' (KADOKAWA). The same work ranked 1st in 'This Horror is Great! 2024 Edition'. Recent works include 'About a Defiled Holy Site Pilgrimage' (KADOKAWA).