Japan Sinks: 2020, the first ever anime adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s best-selling 1973 disaster novel Japan Sinks, was released worldwide on Netflix on July 9, 2020. The series is directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is known for his unique free-flowing animation style, having directed such internationally-lauded anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Ping-Pong: The Animation, and The Tatami Galaxy.

Netflix launched a new project called “Shizumanu Kibou” (Unsinking Hope) on July 10 as a spin-off project of Japan Sinks: 2020 which aims to inspire positivity based on the characters that appear in the anime series who never forget the importance of looking forward no matter how difficult the circumstances. The project will archive “music,” “words,” “images,” and other media centred on the series to show hope for the future in the face of adversity.

The film’s director, Masaaki Yuasa, is known for throwing in lighthearted rap scenes during importance scenes in his tragic films. Japan Sinks: 2020 is no exception, where the character Kaito sings an uplifting rap. This scene of hope for the future in the series served as the starting point to the Shizumanu Kibou project.

Ongoing content from Kafu, Daichi Yamamoto, and Taichi Mukai

A line-up of creators will be releasing songs, music videos, and a variety of content for the Shizumanu Kibou project going forward. This includes Kensho Ono, who voiced Kaito in the series and performed the rap part; virtual singer Kafu; Daichi Yamamoto who is big in Japan’s hip-hop scene; and singer-songwriter Mukai Taichi.

Mic relay spins words of hope

A social media campaign is launching in Japan as part of the project which can be followed with the hashtag #キボウのマイクリレー (‘Mic Relay of Hope’). Japanese rapper Ken the 390, who wrote the rap for Japan Sinks: 2020 is hosting this online mic relay, which hopes to inspire a viral trend based on the rap.

Social media posting campaign

A second social media campaign is also being held with the hashtag #キボウの風景 (‘scenery of hope’) which invites users to post pictures of scenery that is important to them or images that they would like to leave for the future.

You can keep update on the project and the anime series over on the official Japan Sinks: 2020 Twitter page here.

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Japan Sinks 2020 is the first ever anime adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s best-selling 1973 disaster novel Japan Sinks sometime this year. Set for release worldwide on Netflix on July 9, 2020, the series is being directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is known for his unique free-flowing animation style, having directed such internationally-lauded anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Ping-Pong: The Animation, and The Tatami Galaxy.

New stills as well as a new clip have been released featuring the character Kaito, who is voiced by Kensho Ono, spitting bars in an uplifting rap that was written by Ken the 390.

The anime’s story takes place in Japan in the year 2020. In the original Japan Sinks, the story follows that the Japanese archipelago will sink into the sea after a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This plot line follows in Japan Sinks 2020 too in which we see an ordinary family put to the test as a series of massive earthquakes throws the Japanese archipelago into turmoil. It follows the Mutō family: the protagonist middle schooler Ayumu, her brother Gō, mother Mari, and father Kōichirō, as their peaceful life turns tragic in an instant.

In this first ever clip released from the series, we see Ayumu and other characters in a state of despair and hopelessness. To lighten up the mood, Kaito delivers a rap with hopeful lyrics.

With Ayumu and everyone’s everyday lives snatched away from them, they ponder when this devistating situation will end. It’s then that Kaito suddenly whips out his phone, puts on a track, and begins freestyling to the eat. He spits frank and openhearted lyrics about the situation they have been put in and how they are still alive. We have yet to see how all of the characters will respond to Kaito’s rap as the clip cuts off. Check it out below.

“Japan Sinks 2020” Rap Clip

Ken the 390 spoke of his time in the recording studio, praising the speed of the cast’s response to his advise on corrections they should make for each of their rap parts. He gave particular praise to Kaito’s rap scene performed by Kensho Ono who he described as having good intuition. He described the entire recording experience as being smooth and that it was over before he knew it. Ken the 390 also made a comment for fans who are looking forward to watching Japan Sinks 2020: “It’s a completely different takes on Japan Sinks. It raises questions on the present situation and is full of messages. It’s a film that should be seen right now in 2020.”

Japan Sinks 2020 is a story of hope and paving the way to building tomorrow. The series will be released on Netflix worldwide on July 9, 2020.

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A new series of stills has been released from the upcoming Netflix Original anime series Japan Sinks 2020, featuring snippets from the first half of the story where the characters go on a trip.

Japan Sinks 2020 is the first ever anime adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s best-selling 1973 disaster novel Japan Sinks sometime this year. Set for release worldwide on Netflix on July 9, 2020, the series is being directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is known for his unique free-flowing animation style, having directed such internationally-lauded anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Ping-Pong: The Animation, and The Tatami Galaxy.

The anime adaptation set in modern Japan and follows the Mutō family: the protagonist middle schooler Ayumu, her brother Gō, mother Mari, and father Kōichirō, as their peaceful life turns tragic in an instant.

It’s do or die as the Mutō family try to escape from Tokyo. Along the way they meet several characters from various backgrounds as they face life or death while staying hopeful in the face of such adversity.

What does fate have set in stone for these characters? The new stills released showcase characters cheering up one another and trying to live naturally, telling us that despite the situation, they have not thrown away hope and look to the future with positivity.

Stills of four new characters have also been released: Kanae Muroda (voiced by Tomoko Shiota), Shu Asada (Daiki Hamano), Daniel (George Cockle), and Mitsuo Otani (Taichi Takeda). These characters are associated with Sun City, a community facility tasked with helping people. They provide food, clothes, a place to stay, electricity, entertainment, and more. Ayumu and her family arrive here and enjoy the amenities. However, the shape of the Japanese archipelago continues to crack and change, leading to the possibility of another disaster.

Japan Sinks 2020 will release worldwide on Netflix on July 9, 2020.

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Netflix is set to release the first ever anime adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s best-selling 1973 disaster novel Japan Sinks sometime this year. The series is being directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is known for his unique free-flowing animation style, having directed such internationally-lauded anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Ping-Pong: The Animation, and The Tatami Galaxy. Today, a new key visual has been released, which expresses a story of hope and comeback.

The anime’s story takes place in Japan in the year 2020. In the original Japan Sinks, the story follows that the Japanese archipelago will sink into the sea after a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. To date, film adaptations of the original Japan Sinks haven’t focused much on the individual stories of ordinary families, but Japan Sinks 2020 will do just that, painting a realistic picture of what would happen if such a disaster occurred.

Reina Ueda (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba; Dr. Stone; SSSS.GRIDMAN) will voice the protagonist Ayumu, a 14-year-old girl set to compete in the Olympics. Tomo Muranaka (World Trigger; FLCL Progressive) will voice Go, Ayumu’s younger brother whose connection to the world is through online video games. Yūko Sasaki (Chibi Maruko-chan) will voice their mother Mari, a former swimming Olympian who always looks at the positives even in difficult situations. Masaki Terasoma (Detective Conan) will voice their father Koichiro, a smart and resolute man who you can depend on for anything.

In the new key visual, we see a photo being held up by someone of the happy family smiling, with Ayumu in the centre. In the background, we see the devastating results of the earthquakes almost hidden from sight. The family’s embrace, and the sun’s rays shining behind them, offer a glimpse of hope.

Japan Sinks 2020 will launch on Netflix worldwide this summer.

©“JAPAN SINKS : 2020”Project Partners

Netflix is set to release the first ever anime adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu’s best-selling 1973 disaster novel Japan Sinks sometime this year. The series is being directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who is known for his unique free-flowing animation style, having directed such internationally-lauded anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Ping-Pong: The Animation, and The Tatami Galaxy. Today, the voice cast for the main characters has been revealed.

The anime’s story takes place in Japan in the year 2020. In the original Japan Sinks, the story follows that the Japanese archipelago will sink into the sea after a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. To date, film adaptations of the original Japan Sinks haven’t focused much on the individual stories of ordinary families, but Japan Sinks 2020 will do just that, painting a realistic picture of what would happen if such a disaster occured.

Reina Ueda (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba; Dr. Stone; SSSS.GRIDMAN) will voice the protagonist Ayumu, a 14-year-old girl set to compete in the Olympics. Tomo Muranaka (World Trigger; FLCL Progressive) will voice Go, Ayumu’s younger brother whose connection to the world is through online video games. Yūko Sasaki (Chibi Maruko-chan) will voice their mother Mari, a former swimming Olympian who always looks at the positives even in difficult situations. Masaki Terasoma (Detective Conan) will voice their father Koichiro, a smart and resolute man who you can depend on for anything.

Screenshots from the series have also been released. We see a building that looks like Tokyo Tower swaying back and forth, the city wrapped in flames, and Ayumu’s anxious facial expression as she looks into the distance. It conveys the fear and tension of a Japan that has changed completely in an instant.

Unease is embedded in the gazes of this family of four, mixed with a desire to make it through to see the future. Japan is sinking, and whether they like it or not, those people who have been made to make the ultimate decision must face reality head on.

Masaaki Yuasa is a director who has made his name known the world over in the anime community. Japan Sink 2020 will be his second Netflix Originals anime series following the huge success of Devilman Crybaby. He is set to harness the limitless possibilities of animation, imbued with his unique style, to convey this dramatic story and its unprecedented natural disasterーsomething which cannot be done with live-action.

When asked how she felt when her character role was decided, Reina Ueda, who will voice the main character Ayumu, said: “I felt both over the moon and was hit with a feeling of nervousness. When I auditioned, I could tell that the director, Yuasa, knew exactly how he wanted the character to be. She clutched at my heart from just reading the audition script. So I’m honoured to be involved with such a project like this. And there’s a sense of pressure too… I’ve collected myself, so while I’m nervous, I’ll run at it head on.”

Japan Sinks 2020 will be streamed on Netflix in 190 countries worldwide. Ueda was asked to give a message to viewers: “It’s not something I want to show anyone. But it’s something I want every person to watch. It’s the first time I’ve felt that way about any media I’ve encountered. When we were recording [the voices], the film had yet to be fully complete, so there’s still a lot of things I don’t knowーhow the final film will turn out. My heart’s beating. I felt a lot of distress in the recording, but I would be grateful if people paid attention to Ayumi’s growth as she goes through puberty, and where her family end up.”

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