The action-horror film "Higanjima" has found its female lead in an unknown actress. 17-year-old Miori Takimoto, who has just signed with Stardust Promotion, will be making her acting debut as the heroine of the story.

The movie is a Japan-Korea collaboration directed by Kim Tae-gyun that was announced this past summer. Based on a manga by Koji Matsumoto, it stars Hideo Ishiguro ("Elite Yankee Saburo") as a high schooler searching for his brother on a mysterious island full of vampires and other creatures. Takimoto will play the romantic interest of Ishiguro's character.

Although Takimoto has not done acting before, she is not completely new to show business. She was once a member of the Avex-signed idol group SweetS, which was active between 2003 and 2006. After being scouted by an agent earlier this year and joining Stardust in August, she passed the "Higanjima" audition to take the role. Her style is being compared to actress Yuko Takeuchi, and Takimoto herself said that she has adored Takeuchi ever since she watched the drama series "Lunch Queen."

"Higanjima" is planned for release in fall 2009.