Cherry and Virgin – Screening

Ryo draws erotic manga for a living to an audience of other lonely men. Ami is an office worker who survives off of supporting her oshi and drawing BL doujinshi in her free time. For both of these single nerds, their sex lives haven’t progressed beyond their imaginations. Resolving to change that as they approach their thirties, the pair meet through a dating app and discover that real-life romance isn’t exactly like the stories that they read and write.

One of the pleasures of Cherry and Virgin is its shifting visual approach, which captures the complexity of Ryo and Ami’s relationship while reflecting how much their media tastes have shaped their individual perspectives. Ryo and Ami are drawn differently, in styles channeling the sorts of manga each prefers; but the movie switches these up, while also weaving in everything from crayon drawings to CGI to live action according to what’s happening and what the characters are feeling. Heady stuff – but, unlike Ryo and Ami’s courtship, this experimentation never feels awkward. It’s a joy to watch.

Cherry and Virgin is the debut feature of Masanao Kawajiri, who deftly explores the complexities of modern romance through an earnest love letter to the people who make up manga’s thriving fan communities. The film is a genuinely indie production, having been partly crowdfunded and painstakingly made over many years. The effort paid off. Sharply written and endlessly playful, this is the most refreshing rom-com you’ll see all year.