Young actresses Riko Narumi (16) and Kie Kitano (18) are set to co-star in a new film from director Tomoyuki Furumaya ("Robocon," "Homeless Chugakusei"). "Bushido Sixteen" is based on a novel by writer Tetsuya Honda, revolving around two female kendo fighters.

Narumi plays Kaori, who has been a top kendo fighter since she was young. On the other hand, Kitano plays Sanae, an ordinary girl who has casually continued with kendo. During a tournament at the end of junior high, Kaori improbably loses to Sanae, and she begins to hold a grudge while Sanae completely forgets the whole thing. When the two wind up at the same high school, their confrontations lead them both to grow up.

Both Narumi and Kitano had no experience in kendo before this, so they spent about two months training for the roles. Filming has already started, and Furumaya is expecting to complete the film for a spring 2010 release. The original novel has so far had two sequels - aptly titled "Bushido Seventeen" and "Bushido Eighteen" - so there appears to be some hope for additional movies as well.