'On Your Mark' review: Exploring the charm and profound themes of Studio Ghibli's animated short film

"On Your Mark": The appeal of Hayao Miyazaki's experimental short animation

■Overview of the work

"On Your Mark" is a short animated film produced by Studio Ghibli and released in 1995. It was directed by Miyazaki Hayao, who also wrote the screenplay. This work was made as a promotional video for the song of the same name by CHAGE & ASKA, and was shown at the same time as "Whisper of the Heart" as part of the "Ghibli Experimental Theater". This seven-minute short film is a work that encapsulates Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview and visual beauty, and is loved by many fans.

■ Story

The story is set in a city in the near future. A green space with towering reddish-brown buildings is separated by a tunnel from an underground city surrounded by silo-like concrete. Police forces storm into the headquarters of a religious group by helicopter and engage in a fierce gun battle with the cultists. In the midst of this, two young police officers rescue a "girl with wings" who has been held captive. However, the girl is taken into a police facility. Unable to accept this, the two officers come up with a plan to rescue the girl and release her into the blue skies of the suburbs.

■Explanation

"On Your Mark" was created as a promotional video based on CHAGE&ASKA's song "On Your Mark." Directed by Miyazaki Hayao and made with Studio Ghibli's technical expertise, this short film is an experimental work that pursues the fusion of music and images. It was shown at the same time as "Whisper of the Heart," which made it known to many audiences. Although it is short, this work, which exquisitely matches Miyazaki Hayao's unique worldview with CHAGE&ASKA's music, is deeply moving.

■Cast

No specific cast information has been released for this work. The characters are two police officers and an angel girl, and no information about the voice actors has been made public. This is likely because the focus of the story is on the overall atmosphere and theme, rather than the individual backgrounds of the characters.

■ Main staff

・Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki ・Animation director: Masashi Ando

Hayao Miyazaki wrote the screenplay and Masashi Ando was brought on board as animation director to bring his vision to life. Masashi Ando has played a key role in many Studio Ghibli films, and his animation skills are behind the beautiful visuals in this film.

■ Main Characters

- Two police officers, armed police officers who resemble Chage and Asuka, raid a cult facility - A mysterious girl held captive by the Angel Girl Cult

The two police officers are designed to resemble Chage and Asuka, and their actions are at the center of the story. The angel girl is a mysterious being held captive by the cult, and her rescue is the main theme of the story.

■ Theme songs and music

・Music・On Your Mark
Lyrics: Ryo Asuka Composition: Ryo Asuka Arrangement: Taisuke Sawachika Vocals: CHAGE&ASKA

The theme song for this film is "On Your Mark" by CHAGE & ASKA. The lyrics and music were written by Asuka Ryo, and the arrangement was done by Sawachika Taisuke. This song is deeply connected to the background of the story, and the fusion of visual images and music enhances the appeal of the film.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

Although short, "On Your Mark" is a work that allows you to fully experience Hayao Miyazaki's worldview. The contrast between the near-future city and nature, the conflict between religious groups and the police, and the theme of the rescue of a girl with wings are elements that are common to Hayao Miyazaki's other works. In particular, the fusion of visual beauty and music is magnificent, and it gives a deep impression in a short 7 minutes.

This film was also produced as part of the Ghibli Experimental Theatre, so it is packed with Studio Ghibli's technical skill and creativity. Animation director Masashi Ando's technical skills shine through, and he has been praised for his ability to tell a story in a short amount of time.

■ Recommendation points

"On Your Mark" is recommended not only for fans of Hayao Miyazaki, but also for those who are interested in the fusion of animation and music. It is especially perfect for those who want to experience deep emotion in a short time. It will also be a good opportunity for fans of CHAGE&ASKA to learn how their music is connected to animation.

Furthermore, this work is valuable as one of Studio Ghibli's experimental efforts. You can feel Ghibli's technical ability and creativity, and it has a charm that is different from other Ghibli works. Please give it a watch.

Related information

"On Your Mark" can be viewed on Studio Ghibli's official YouTube channel. It is also included in CHAGE&ASKA's album "SUPER BEST II," so you can enjoy both the music and the video. Additionally, if you want to learn more about Hayao Miyazaki's work and the history of Studio Ghibli, check out the related books and documentaries.

Conclusion

"On Your Mark" is a short animated film that brings together Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview and Studio Ghibli's technical expertise. In just seven minutes, it delivers deep emotion and beautiful images. The fusion with CHAGE & ASKA's music is also wonderful, and it is a work that makes you feel the new possibilities of music and animation. Please watch it and experience its charm.