Theatrical Film (2014) starring Satomi Kobayashi as Yoriko Sumi, directed by Daihachi Yoshida, 6.8/10 IMDb — Steady reception.
Pale Moon (紙の月) is the theatrical film Satomi Kobayashi appeared in during 2014,
directed by Daihachi Yoshida, and a marker of the mature middle period of her career — year 32 of her on-screen career.
Pale Moon in the Filmography
Pale Moon is
credit #39 of 56 in the chronological filmography, released 32 years after Satomi Kobayashi’s 1982 debut and 11 years before her most recent 2025 credit. It is the only theatrical film she released in 2014.
| Chronological position | credit #39 of 56 |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Film rank | #17 of 23 in this format |
| 2010s position | #5 of 13 in the 2010s |
| Age at release | 49 years (born 1965) |
| 2014 output | 1 credit (this title is the only one) |
| Drama genre peer set | 37 credits share this genre tag |
| Previous credit | Pan to sûpu to neko biyori (2013) — 1 year earlier |
| Following credit | 2030: Kanata no kazoku (2015) — 1 year later |
| IMDb identifier | tt3560492 |
The Role — Yoriko Sumi
The Character
Yoriko Sumi
In Pale Moon, Kobayashi inhabits Yoriko Sumi — a role calibrated to the mature middle period of her career. The performance carries the restraint and observational stillness that has come to define her later filmography.
Original Japanese Titling
| Japanese title | 紙の月 |
|---|---|
| English release title | Pale Moon |
Genre Footprint
The film is catalogued under Drama on IMDb — placing it among steady reception entries in Kobayashi’s filmography.
The Production
Format & Vital Statistics
| Format | Theatrical Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2014 · 2010s |
| Runtime | 2h 6m |
| IMDb rating | 6.8 / 10 |
| Votes | 1,057 |
Director: Daihachi Yoshida
Daihachi Yoshida directs Kobayashi here — one of 1 documented collaborations between the actress and this filmmaker.
Recognition for This Title
Blue Ribbon Awards
Best Supporting Actress · 2015
Hochi Film Award
Best Supporting Actress · 2014
In the Career Arc
Position in a 44-Year Career
Released in 2014, this theatrical film sits in the mature middle period of her career, year 32 after Kobayashi’s 1982 debut in I Are You, You Am Me.
Critical Position vs Career Median
The 6.8/10 IMDb score (from 1,057 votes) lands
at
her career median of 6.8. Reception band: Steady reception.
Full Catalogue Record
“To make your dreams come true, sometimes you have to break the rules.”
Synopsis
Daily, Rika Umezawa battles a nagging sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. She works a tiring job, comes home to an unappreciative husband and has little opportunity to enjoy life. But things change when office gossip about affairs and embezzlement inspire Rika to do the unthinkable. Soon, Rika finds herself filling the void with a university student named Kota and the millions entrusted to her by clients. Is her newfound lifestyle the key to happiness? And if so, how long can it last?
Production & Billing
| Country of origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Original language | JA |
| Production companyies | Shochiku Company, Robot Communications |
| Cast billing position | #7 (ensemble) |
| Credited as | actress |
Regional Release Titles (9)
| Region | Title | Language | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | 纸之月 | CMN | imdbDisplay |
| DE | Pale Moon | imdbDisplay | |
| GB | Pale Moon | imdbDisplay | |
| HK | 紙月人妻 | CMN | imdbDisplay |
| JP | 紙の月 | JA | imdbDisplay |
| RU | Бумажная луна | imdbDisplay | |
| TW | 紙之月 | imdbDisplay | |
| TW | 蒼白之月 | festival | |
| US | Pale Moon | imdbDisplay |
Cinematic Keywords
extramarital affair
embezzlement
About Pale Moon
What role does Satomi Kobayashi play in Pale Moon?
Satomi Kobayashi plays Yoriko Sumi in Pale Moon (2014), a theatrical film directed by Daihachi Yoshida.
How is Pale Moon rated on IMDb?
Pale Moon holds an IMDb score of 6.8/10 from 1,057 votes — matching Satomi Kobayashi's career median of 6.8.
What is the original Japanese title of Pale Moon?
The original Japanese title is 紙の月, released in 2014.
How long is Pale Moon?
Pale Moon runs 2h 6m.
