YOASOBI is known for turning novels into incredible music. The duo’s debut song Yoru ni Kakeru was released in November 2019 and immediately attracted attention, dominating the charts in both Japan and abroad. The group also performed at the 71st NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. 

Their first EP, ‘The Book,’ was released in January of this year, and the unique release has become popular, with many calling it a ‘reading CD,’ made with the concept of ‘turning a novel into music.’ Their songs Kaibutsu and Yasashii Suisei were both featured in the BEASTARS anime series, and in February, YOASOBI held their first solo concert at the construction site of the former Milano Theater in Shinjuku. The two topped the Billboard Japan Top Artists ranking in the first half of 2021. 

Mister – YOASOBI (Teaser)

Comment from Rio Shimamoto

When I heard Mister for the first time, it gently evoked memories of people I will never see again. 

I felt my novel blending vividly into the world of YOASOBI, and it was a very surreal experience. This song reminds us of the sad and nostalgic stories that are kept deep in our hearts.

Novel into Music Project

YOASOBI will be releasing a new song, Mister, on February 16, 2022. This song was created as part of a collaborative project with four Naoki Prize-winning writers: Rio Shimamoto, Mizuki Tsujimura, Miyuki Miyabe, and Eto Mori. This new initiative seeks to turn novels into music that all can enjoy, and all four authors were tasked with writing short stories about firsts in their lives to inspire YOASOBI’s work. This song was based on the novel ‘My Only Owner,’ a story about first love by Rio Shimamoto.

A teaser video for the track has also been released directed by Ijigen TOKYO.

Seven years after release, Mizuki Tsujimura’s popular novel about struggles in the anime industry Haken Anime! is getting a live-action film in May 2022. Along with the big news, a teaser visual and cast comments have been released, along with a teaser trailer.

The story focuses on Hitomi Saito, who has entered the anime industry and is making her directorial debut. She is competing for the title of Haken (supremacy) with the star direction she previously idolized, Chiharu Ouji. Together with a peculiar producer and a unique group of friends and colleagues, the novel shows the more difficult parts of creating a successful anime series. As anime has become more popular around the world, this film is sure to attract plenty of international attention. 

The film’s talented cast includes Riho Yoshioka, Tomoya Nakamura, Tasuku Emoto, and Machiko Ono. Yoshika plays the lead role of Hitomi Saito, a rookie director who believes in the incredible power of animation. While she’s dedicated to her goals, she’s clumsy and seems to hit a new wall each and every day. Even still, the character is loveable and inspiring, as she tries to overcome each and every struggle. 

Nakamura passionately plays Chiharu Ouji, a genius director known for producing plenty of smash hits. Emoto plays Satoru Yukishiro, a talented producer, while Ono plays Kayako Arishina, a famous producer who puts her job on the line for the best possible work. 

The film will be directed by Kohei Yoshino, who also participated as a CG creator in Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 hit anime film Your Name. He has also worked on many music videos and commercials. Toei Animation will supervise the film. The animated teaser trailers were created by popular studio Production I.G, and both are actually the anime being created in the film. They were released prior to the announcement of the live-action film and caused quite a stir online with over 100,000 views on YouTube in a week. 

“Soundback -Kanade no Ishi” Teaser Trailer: 

“Unmei Sensen Liddell-Light” Teaser Trailer: 

“Soundback -Kanade no Ishi” is the first film directed by Hitomi Saito in Haken Anime!, and “Unmei Sensen Liddell-Light” is Chiharu Ouji’s new film. A teaser trailer was also released, showing the main character with a serious expression, claiming that ‘animation can grant power stronger than any magic.’ 

Teaser Trailer

https://youtu.be/oKbiGKBjibQ

The new teaser visual shows the four main characters with the taglines ‘Surpass yourself’ and ‘Grab the Supremacy!’ Will you be watching this film when it releases in your region?

Comment from Riho Yoshioka

I play the role of Hitomi Saito, originally a government worker who decides to become an anime director. The film shows the steps involved in making an anime series come to life, and the incredible struggle of the animators. Anime is one of Japan’s treasures, but behind the scenes, there is so much hard work that goes into making each series–more than you can ever imagine.

Animators work day and night, making storyboards, drawings, videos…Their talent is unbelievable. Every day while filming, I had these realizations. I had never thought so deeply about anime creators, and now, each time I see an anime series I am so incredibly moved. 

I hope you enjoy the film!

Comment from Tomoya Nakamura

I’m Tomoya Nakamura, and I play the role of Chiharu Ouji. As I read the script, I found myself continuously nodding my head in agreement as I saw how much my character has that creative fever that’s so unique to this kind of profession. I’m truly blessed to play the role of Ouji, a man who has so many worries, but still holds his head high. I want those seeing the film to be inspired to do their best in their everyday life after seeing these characters put their heart and souls into anime. Please look forward to this incredible film by Kohei Yoshino!

Comment from Tasuku Emoto

I went into this thinking that Yukishiro was a man with a strong personality, but also someone capable of showing kindness. The director has a small voice and strange idiosyncrasies, but also a stubbornness and incredible masculinity that you’d never guess from his appearance. I was inspired by that for my character. Haken Anime! is both light-hearted and incredibly deep, so please look forward to it!

Comment from Machiko Ono

While filming, I found myself in an incredible story filled with hopes, dreams, and a path to follow. I fell in love with it instantly. It was such an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to see how the story connects with the audience. 

Comment from Director Kohei Yoshino

I was very fortunate to be offered the chance to direct this film, as it was a project I had loved for a long time prior. My memories of being a new director are still fresh in my mind, so this was a chance to put those thoughts and feelings on screen. I’m also lucky to have worked with such a wonderful cast and crew. I hope everyone enjoys this unique work that includes several distinct genres, and I hope that those wanting a career in the industry learn from this film and are inspired to take a shot. May this film be the dream come true to many as it was for me. 

Comment from Original Writer Mizuki Tsujimura

Out of all the novels I’ve written, I thought Haken Anime! would be the most difficult to put on the big screen, as two different anime series appear in the work. I had given up the idea of it ever being adapted, given how long it takes to create anime of good quality. But this time, with the help of this wonderful staff and cast, it’s really happening. My characters Hitomi, Chiharu, Satoru, and Kayako have come to life, and their anime is real. I can’t wait to see them on the big screen!

©️2022 映画「ハケンアニメ！」製作委員会

Publisher Kawade Shobo Shinsha will release two coming-of-age novels on October 14! To promote both The Last Dance of the Time Keepers and Home on the Night of the Star Festival, an anime PV created by the staff of the 2016 anime series Pop in Q and directed by Naoki Miyahara (Digimon Adventure, Dragon Ball Z) has also been released! There are also some pretty famous voice actors featured, so see if you recognize any!

Senya Mihagi, the author of both full-length novels, is an up-and-coming talent, winning the Kadokawa’s Da Vinci Story of Books Award in 2014. The original character designs and cover illustrations for each novel were created by Kouhaku Kuroboshi, who has worked on a number of popular anime works, including Kino’s Journey, Fate/Grand Order, and Sword Art Online Alternative. The PV includes voice actors Asami Seto, Shiori Izawa, Atsumi Tanezaki, Ari Ozawa, and Tomoyo Kurosawa. The music was produced by Yuki Tsujimura, who has collaborated with a number of popular Japanese artists in the past. 

To commemorate the release of the novels, five original postcards featuring art of each main character will be available from Amazon, Kumazawa Books, TSUTAYA, and Miraiya Books. You’ll get a different character depending on where you buy, so double-check beforehand!

Synopsis

The Last Dance of the Time Keepers

Isumi Kominato, a high-school freshman, moves to Tokyo from Kochi Prefecture and forms a new dance unit with her classmates. Behind the scenes, however, strange things are happening–power outages, disappearances, amnesia? Isumi, Aoi, Konatsu, Asahi, and Saki must use the power of dance to help return the world to normal. 

Home on the Night of the Star Festival

Satoshi, known as a child prodigy from the time he was an infant and like a sibling to Iori, died suddenly at the age of twenty-one. Iori, unable to accept his death, runs away to attend college in Tokyo, but three years later, she begins to receive strange e-mails after Satoshi’s belongings, including a smartphone, are given to her. What was he researching before he died, and why was a global IT company involved? What is the truth behind his mysterious death?