Dadadada Seventeen (2017)

A quirky, heartfelt Japanese coming-of-age film about two misfits stuck in an endless seventeen, searching for belonging and a way to finally grow up.

Dadadada Seventeen - Movie Information

  • Original Title: 脱脱脱脱17
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Directed by: Hana Matsumoto
  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 1h 48m
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • Alternative Titles: Dadadada 17 (US), 脱脱脱脱17 (JP)

Dadadada Seventeen - Plot

Thirty-four-year-old high school student Nobuo meets his classmate Rikako, who believes in succeeding only with her tears and singing voice, and helps her find her father. Stuck in the vortex of struggled youth, will they ever grow out of their endless seventeen?

Dadadada Seventeen - Trailer

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Dadadada Seventeen - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Hana Matsumoto

Main Cast

  • Yuho Kitazawa
  • Rigaku Suzuki
  • Kilala Inori
  • Moe Sakura
  • Shingo Akamatsu
  • Chieko Misaka
  • Nanaka Shougaki
  • Kumiko Azuma
  • Kohta Yamato
  • Tsukushi Suzuki

Writers

  • Hana Matsumoto

Producers

  • Ryohei Ueno

Dadadada Seventeen - FAQs

What is Dadadada Seventeen about?

Dadadada Seventeen follows Nobuo, a 34-year-old man somehow still in high school, as he crosses paths with Rikako, a classmate who relies on her tears and singing voice to get through life. Together they set out to find her missing father, navigating a strange, lingering adolescence neither can quite escape.

Why is Nobuo still in high school at 34?

Nobuo's unusual situation — a 34-year-old stuck in high school — is central to the film's quirky premise. The story uses his predicament as a metaphor for emotional stagnation and the difficulty of truly growing up, exploring what it means to be perpetually "seventeen" in spirit even as the years pass.

Who directed Dadadada Seventeen?

Dadadada Seventeen was directed by Hana Matsumoto, who also wrote the screenplay and edited the film. It's a notably personal, multi-hyphenate effort that gives the movie a distinctive, unified creative voice throughout.

Who are the main actors in Dadadada Seventeen?

The film stars Yuho Kitazawa as Rikako and Rigaku Suzuki as Nobuo in the two central roles. The supporting cast includes Kilala Inori, Moe Sakura, Shingo Akamatsu, Chieko Misaka, Nanaka Shougaki, Kumiko Azuma, Kohta Yamato, and Tsukushi Suzuki.

Does Dadadada Seventeen have a happy ending?

The film leans into bittersweet territory rather than a clean resolution. It's less concerned with tying up loose ends and more interested in the emotional journey — whether Nobuo and Rikako can finally move forward from the endless loop of youth that has kept them both stuck.

What movies are similar to Dadadada Seventeen?

If you enjoy Dadadada Seventeen, you might also like Orange (2015), Drawing Closer (2024), Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016), anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day - The Movie (2013), Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy (2019), and Peach Girl (2017) — all Japanese films exploring youth, emotion, and connection.

How long is Dadadada Seventeen?

Dadadada Seventeen runs for 1 hour and 48 minutes (108 minutes). It's a comfortable feature-length runtime that gives the story enough room to breathe and develop its two unconventional leads without overstaying its welcome.

What language is Dadadada Seventeen in?

The film is entirely in Japanese, making it a great pick for fans of Japanese cinema and J-drama storytelling. Non-Japanese speakers will want to look for a subtitled version to fully appreciate the nuances of the dialogue and the characters' emotional exchanges.

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