Netflix has been killing it lately! Following on from gay ballroom movie 10 舞蹈 in December 2025, and lesbian anime film Cosmic Princess Kaguya in January 2026, 10 February 2026 will see the release of 这就是我, a film based on the life of transgender idol Ai Haruna. But what is the movie about? Here’s your exclusive JGG preview!
The Premise
Kenji Onishi, growing up in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s, has only ever wanted to be one thing: an idol. This has made Onishi a figure of ridicule at school, but they still continue to pursue their dream. When Onishi is introduced to crossdressing, adopts the stage name Ai, and performs in a club one evening, they are seen by Dr. Koji Wada, a kind and thoughtful physician who is, nevertheless, looking for redemption for a past mistake.
Together, Ai’s life changes forever as Dr. Wada helps her to become the woman she was always meant to be. However, in a time when gender reassignment was extremely controversial — despite being proclaimed legal in 1969 — this lead to difficulties both for Ai and Dr. Wada. Will the two emerge, stronger than ever? Or will the power of the oppressive society of the time prove too difficult to overcome?
Who is Haruna Ai?
So, since this is a biopic, some of our adored readers may be asking: who is Ai Haruna? Well, she is a trans woman who has been an idol and a star in Japan for nearly two decades. She first became a star in Japan after lip syncing to the music of Aya Matsuura at a live concert, dazzling the audience. Soon, she became popular as a guest on Japanese variety shows, and won Miss International Queen 2009 in Thailand in 2009.
She has since gone on to be a best-selling author, writing an autobiography and creating several photobooks — including guides of her beloved Seoul — as well as a successful musician, releasing the album More Love through Universal Music in 2012. She is also a highly accomplished dancer, and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. She has also become an entrepreneur, and owns four Okonomiyaki restaurants.
The Film’s Background
So, how did this film come together? How close is it to reality? Well, it’s hard to say for sure until it releases on 10 February, but we do know that it is based not only on Haruna’s 2009 autobiography, What a Wonderful Life!, as well as Dr. Wada and Kumiko Fukamachi 2019 book, Penis Cutter: The Story of a Doctor Who Saved a Gender Identity Disorder Patient, with Wada’s contributions being posthumous, as he passed away in 2007.
That it is based on two non-fiction books speaks to the film leaning more towards realism than to fancifulness, though doubtless there will be some fudging of reality to make the story more amenable for cinema.
Ai Haruna will be portrayed by Haruki Mochizuki, who is not transgender, but is LGBTQ+, and has had supporting roles in queer drama, such as *Love Is Better the Second Time Around.* This is his first starring role, which he won through an impressive audition aged only 17. Dr. Wada will be played by Takumi Saito, who has had roles in a number of high-profile movies, including 2016’s smash hit Shin Godzilla.
With strong early word of mouth, this could be an early entry for the best LGBTQ+ movie of 2026. Make sure you set a reminder on your Netflix account, grab your popcorn, and get ready for 这就是我 on 10 February!
