The appeal and reviews of "Ashita Kirarin": A moving story and deep characters

"Ashita Kirarin": A one-night-only story of emotion and challenge

■Overview of the work

"Ashita Kirarin" is a TV anime series that was broadcast on MBS, Telecorp, and EX on July 25, 2005. It was based on "Ashita Kirarin" by Ko Kunpei, which won the Humanity Osaka Mayor's Award in the 9th Drama Story Competition. It was directed by Matsubayashi Nobuya and animated by Morita Hiromitsu, with the cooperation of Animation Staff Room, Liberty Ship, Studio Cats, Workshop, and Prestone. Although it was only broadcast for a short period of 30 minutes, with only one episode, it delivered a deep message and emotion to viewers.

■ Story

During homeroom class, Yuri is forced to serve on the school festival executive committee with Ayako after scolding her classmates for teasing her because she has autistic tendencies. For their final school festival, they decide to paint a giant mural out of empty cans, but their classmates are unmotivated and one difficulty after another stands in their way. They overcome various difficulties, such as working in the heat and conflicts within the class, and collect a large amount of empty cans. However, a large typhoon hits them the day before the school festival. Will they be able to complete the mural? This is a story of the bonds and challenges faced by friends.

■Explanation

"Ashita Kirarin" is a work in which junior and senior high school students participated as voice actors, performing alongside professional voice actors and interacting with people with autism. This project was also introduced on the Miyazaki Prefecture Human Rights website and has been praised as a work with social significance. The attempt to convey the importance of diversity and coexistence through animation deeply moved viewers.

■Cast

Many voice actors participated in this work, including Utsumi Dojin, Okamoto Mao, Kaneko Takumi, Kimura Yuko, Kurimoto Yukiko, Kanose Hajime, Shishido Yuki, Shima Yoshinori, Mabonami, Takeda Natsumi, Tada Tomomi, Ta Masato, Nakanishi Naoya, Nagasawa Yumi, Nagahata Iku, Hashimoto Masashi, Hishida Moriyuki, Fujisawa Toshiya, Masuda Atsushi, Miruki, Mori Shino, Yasutomi Shiro, and Wakita Hitomi. Their passionate performances make the story more realistic and moving.

■ Main staff

The producers were Matsuura Yukihiro, Watakawa Naoaki, and Fujii Masakazu, the general manager was Matsunaga Jun, the director and scriptwriter was Matsubayashi Nobuya, the scriptwriter and original author was Ko Kunpei, the original character designer was Kokaji Shinya, the animation director was Morita Hiromitsu, the animation director was Yanase Joji, the art director was Sawada Eiko, the colorists were Studio Cats, the music producer was Yoshikawa Hiroyuki, the music director was Tochio Tsuneki, the composer was Honjuku Yoko, the editors were Nakao Satoru and Kawai Yu, the mixer was Inooku Seiki, the music effects were Ueda Yasuo, the production cooperation was Animation Staff Room and Liberty Ship, and the workshop and design were handled by Cultivision CC. The efforts of this staff are what really raise the quality of the work.

■ Theme songs and music

The ending theme, "Song of the Day We Parted," is sung by Arimasino. This song adds to the emotional impact of the story.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

Despite its short broadcast period, "Ashita Kirarin" delivered a deep message and touched viewers. In particular, its depiction of interactions with people with autism has social significance and conveyed to viewers the importance of diversity and coexistence. Furthermore, with junior and senior high school students participating as voice actors, the energy and passion of young people was reflected in the work, and it has been praised as a realistic coming-of-age drama.

The creation of the giant empty can mural, which is at the heart of the story, symbolizes difficulties and challenges, and the portrayal of the bond and growth of the group moved the audience. The climax, which is a powerful typhoon on the day before the school festival, drew the audience's attention, heightening the tension and emotion of the work.

The enthusiasm of the cast and staff was reflected in the production, and "Ashita Kirarin" deeply moved the audience. Although it was only broadcast for one night, its message and emotion remain in the hearts of many people to this day. This is an unforgettable work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge.

■ Recommendation points

"Ashita Kirarin" is not only a coming-of-age drama, but has also been praised for its social message. In particular, the depiction of interactions with people with autism conveyed the importance of diversity and coexistence to viewers, leaving a deep impression. In addition, the participation of junior and senior high school students as voice actors reflects the energy and passion of young people in the work, making it enjoyable as a realistic coming-of-age drama.

This is an unforgettable work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge. It is a work that anyone interested in youth dramas and social themes should definitely watch. I would also like to recommend this work to many people as a work that has the power to convey a deep message and emotion despite its short broadcast period.

Related information

The original story for "Ashita Kirarin" was born from "Ashita Kirarin" by Ko Kunpei, which won the Humanity Osaka Mayor's Award in the 9th Drama Story Competition. This original story was also highly praised as a drama story and touched many people. It was also introduced on the Miyazaki Prefecture Human Rights website and is recognized as a work with social significance.

Many production companies, including Animation Staff Room, Liberty Ship, Studio Cats, Workshop, and Prestone, collaborated in the production of this work. The contributions of these production companies improved the quality of the work and deeply moved the audience.

The ending theme "Song of the Day We Parted" is sung by Arimasino. This song played a role in further deepening the emotion of the story and moved the viewers.

Although "Ashita Kirarin" was only broadcast for one night, its message and emotion remain in the hearts of many people to this day. This is an unforgettable work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the beauty of challenge. Please watch it at least once and experience the emotion for yourself.