Time of First Love (1975)
A sun-soaked Japanese coming-of-age story where three high school girls chase summer dreams, odd jobs, and first love.
Time of First Love - Movie Information
- Original Title: 花の高2トリオ 初恋時代
- Release Year: 1975
- Directed by: Kenjirō Morinaga
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 1, 1975 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Hana no kô-ni trio: Hatsukoi jidai (JP), 花之高二三重唱：初恋时代 (CN)
- Production Companies: Horipro
- Production Countries: Japan
Time of First Love - Plot
3 senior highschool girls help make a hot air balloon for a boy during their summer holidays and took up all sort of part-time jobs in the course.
Time of First Love - Trailer
See the official trailer for this beloved 1975 Japanese coming-of-age film:
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Time of First Love - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kenjirō Morinaga
Main Cast
- Momoe Yamaguchi
- Junko Sakurada
- Masako Mori
- Kazuto Andô
- Yumiko Fujita
- Makiko Fukamachi
- Akira Hisamatsu
- Atsushi Kawaguchi
- Yukihide Kurobe
- Yōko Minamida
Writers
- Akira Saiga
Producers
- Takeo Hori
- Hideyoshi Aizawa
Time of First Love - FAQs
What is Time of First Love about?
Time of First Love follows three high school girls who spend their summer holidays helping a boy build a hot air balloon. To fund the project, they throw themselves into a series of part-time jobs, turning the season into a warm, funny, and heartfelt adventure full of youthful energy and budding romance.
Who are the main actors in Time of First Love?
The film stars Momoe Yamaguchi as Aoi Tsuda and Junko Sakurada as Akane Takagi, alongside Masako Mori, Kazuto Andô, and Yumiko Fujita. Momoe Yamaguchi was one of Japan's biggest pop idols of the 1970s, making her presence here a major draw for audiences of the era.
Is Time of First Love a coming-of-age film?
Very much so. The film captures that bittersweet in-between moment of adolescence — old enough to dream big, young enough to make it an adventure. The hot air balloon becomes a lovely metaphor for the girls' own aspirations, and the summer setting gives the whole story a nostalgic, sun-drenched warmth.
Who directed Time of First Love?
Kenjirō Morinaga directed the film. Released in 1975 through Horipro, it was crafted to showcase the talents of its young idol cast, particularly Momoe Yamaguchi, who was at the height of her popularity in Japan during the mid-1970s.
What makes Momoe Yamaguchi's performance notable here?
Momoe Yamaguchi was a phenomenon in 1970s Japan — a singer and actress whose every project became a cultural event. In Time of First Love, she brings a natural, unaffected charm to her role as Aoi Tsuda. Watching her alongside Junko Sakurada, another beloved idol, gives the film a genuine sense of youthful camaraderie.
What genre is Time of First Love?
It blends Drama, Comedy, and Romance into a light, breezy package. The comedic moments come naturally from the girls' misadventures in various part-time jobs, while the romantic undercurrent and emotional sincerity keep the story grounded and genuinely touching.
What are some similar films to Time of First Love?
If you enjoy its youthful, feel-good spirit, you might also like The Lords of Flatbush (1974), SubUrbia (1997), or Juniper (2021) for their coming-of-age energy. For lighter romantic comedies with a similar warmth, Madame (2017) and How to Please a Woman (2022) are worth exploring.
When and where was Time of First Love released?
Time of First Love opened in Japan on August 1, 1975. It was produced by Horipro, the prominent Japanese talent agency and entertainment company, and was part of a wave of idol-driven films that defined Japanese popular cinema during that decade.
More About Time of First Love
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