One Last Look? Pregnant Mitsuki Takahata Shines With a Gentle Smile at Event

I’m trying really hard to stay awake

Gently stroking her large belly, Mitsuki Takahata (33) smiled softly.

On October 21, a special planetarium event celebrating the box office success of the live-action film 5 Centimeters per Second was held at the Science Egg planetarium dome in Tokyo’s Tama Rokuto Science Center. Takahata appeared alongside co-star Hokuto Matsumura (30) of SixTONES and director Yoshiyuki Okuyama (34).

The film is a live-action adaptation of the 2007 animated movie by director Makoto Shinkai (52). It follows an 18-year trajectory of a man and woman who care deeply for each other but grow apart. Released on October 10, the film drew 710,000 viewers in its first 10 days through October 19, surpassing 1 billion yen in box office revenue — a strong hit.

“Takahata, who plays the heroine, announced her marriage to actor Masaki Okada (36) on both their social media accounts in November last year. On July 16, she revealed through her agency that she is expecting her first child. Until late May, she starred in the Broadway musical Waitress, and in the currently running film Kokuhō, she plays the childhood friend and lover of the lead character played by Ryō Yoshizawa (31). With 5 Centimeters per Second also a major hit, this year — her 20th year in show business — has been an extraordinary one for her,” said an entertainment magazine writer.

Wearing a loose knit outfit that covered her completely, Takahata was asked by the host what she’s working hardest on right now.

“Well, I’m pregnant, so I’m unbelievably sleepy all the time. So right now, I’m trying really hard to stay awake. And I get swollen, so I do that… cockroach exercise? Kicking my legs around. I’m just trying to stay healthy, and honestly, just staying awake deserves praise,” she said, making the audience laugh.

She is expected to take maternity leave for the rest of the year, and nothing has been announced yet about her schedule for next year. In an interview from her 2016 photo book Yumekui Sabaku (Takarajimasha), she said:

“I want to be an actress with a long career, but if I get married and have children, I might take a break. Family will always be more important than work.”

The next time Takahata appears in public may be after she’s become a mother and settled into her new life.