Anime News Network reports that Akira Saso's manga series "Kodomo no Kodomo" is getting a live-action film later this year. The movie is being directed by Koji Hagiuda, whose most recent work was the acclaimed 2007 film "Shindo."

The story deals with Haruna, an 11-year-old fifth-grader who has a seemingly innocent encounter with one of her male friends, but she later realizes during a sex education class that she had engaged in intercourse and is now pregnant. To her horror, no one believes her when she tells them she's carrying a child.

Filming already took place last year in Akita, though some of the locals were opposed when they heard the film dealt with a pregnant grade-schooler. However, publicists for the distributor Bitters End have assured that the film is a serious take on the subject. The issue was also recently dealt with in the 2006 drama "14-sai no Haha," which starred Mirai Shida.

New actress Haruna Amari won the lead role through an audition. The supporting cast includes Kumiko Aso, Juri Ueno, Mitsuki Tanimura, Yoshiko Miyazaki, and Ken Mitsuishi. Tamio Okuda is handling the theme song.

Theatrical release is set for September.