Entertainment · Film · 8 hrs ago
‘Silver Express’ explores asexual and aromantic identity in Japan
Miki Tanaka’s debut feature film, “Silver Express,” follows Chieri, an asexual and aromantic woman in Japan.
People around her often assume that the right romantic relationship will change how she feels, or that she has not met the right person.
The film shows how this pressure can leave her feeling lonely and make ordinary relationships difficult.
It also points to a language gap: the Japanese term for asexuality has become common only in recent decades, and people sometimes talk around the identity.
Chieri meets Shoya, who is aromantic but not asexual, and the two become close without dismissing her experience.
Their relationship is part of the film’s exploration of how people can share intimacy and affection in different ways.
The story centers on Chieri’s experience and does not describe what happens after the film’s events.
Miki Tanaka’s debut feature “Silver Express” explores asexual and aromantic identity through the everyday experiences of its protagonist, Chieri.
Yui Okamoto plays Chieri, who faces people suggesting that the right relationship will change her orientation.
The film follows Chieri as she meets Shoya, who is aromantic but not asexual.
It also considers the language used to describe asexuality in Japan, where the term has entered common parlance as a loan word in the past 10 to 15 years.
Variety published its review of the film on October 12, 2026.
- Who
- Director Miki Tanaka and protagonist Chieri, played by Yui Okamoto.
- What
- Silver Express” explores asexual and aromantic identity through a character study.
- When
- Variety published its review on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Japan; the review discusses the use of language around asexuality in the country.
- Why
- The film considers the experience of living as asexual and aromantic in a society that expects people to follow a heteronormative lifestyle.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Director
- Miki Tanaka
- Protagonist
- Chieri, played by Yui Okamoto
- Fellow aromantic character
- Shoya, played by Hayato Kurihara
- Term in common parlance
- Asexuality has entered common parlance in Japan as a loan word in the past 10 to 15 years
- Review publication date
- October 12, 2026
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