The appeal and reviews of "Furusato-JAPAN": An anime that tells the story of regional revitalization

"Furusato-JAPAN": Showa nostalgia and a story of children's growth

■Overview of the work

"Furusato-JAPAN" is an animated film released on April 7, 2007, directed by Akio Nishizawa, produced by WOW Corporation and WOW World. The film is set in Kiba, Fukagawa, Tokyo in 1956, and tells the story of children's growth and friendship that begins with the encounter between a new elementary school teacher and a transfer student. Throughout the film, nostalgia for the Showa era and the importance of music education are depicted.

■ Story

In the spring of 1956, a new teacher named Sakamoto Rieko was appointed to Kiba Elementary School in Fukagawa, Tokyo. Following the will of her brother who died in a suicide attack, she is a teacher who is passionate about music education. Around the same time, Miyanaga Shizu, a transfer student from Kobe, arrives in class 6-4. Shizu is a bright and beautiful girl who dreams of becoming a singer. She is also good at sports and studying, so she quickly becomes popular in her class. In particular, Akira, the son of a joiner who is the class representative and a central figure in the class, begins to take a strong interest in Shizu.

Mr. Sakamoto selects Shizu, her close friends Kimiyo, Hikaru, Yayoi, Akira, and Hakase, the son of a doctor and a brilliant student, from Class 6-4 as members to win the regional choir competition to be held at the end of the year. However, after an incident caused by Akira and Gon is discovered, the teachers make a strict decision to cancel the choir's participation in the competition. As a result, a rift forms between Akira and Shizu, and the summer vacation comes.

Meanwhile, Shizu suddenly dies in a sea accident. Akira is shocked, but at the strong urging of Gon, who secretly had feelings for Shizu, he appeals to the school to allow them to participate in the choir competition again. Their enthusiasm moves the principal, and they are allowed to participate in the choir competition again. Under Mr. Sakamoto's guidance, the children work hard at practicing for the winter competition, carrying in their hearts their feelings for Shizu, who has passed away, and for Gon, who has suddenly transferred to another school.

■ Characters

Akira (Akira Yanagisawa) : Voiced by Naoya Sekine. The class representative and central figure in the class. The son of a joiner, he becomes very conscious of Shizu.

Shizu (Miyanaga Shizu) : Voiced by Maika Kawaguchi. A bright and beautiful girl who transfers from Kobe and dreams of becoming a singer. She is good at sports and studying, and is popular in her class.

Gon (Abe Gonji) : Voiced by Kimura Subaru. A bully, but with a dark side. He has secret feelings for Shizu.

Ms. Sakamoto (Rieko Sakamoto) : Voiced by Sayaka Hanamura. A new teacher who is passionate about music education, following the will of her brother who died in a suicide attack.

Yoshio (Yoshio Kawabata) : Voiced by Seigo Kuwabara. One of Akira's playmates.

Teru (Yoshimura Kazuki) : Voiced by Kannan Tetsuya. One of Akira's playmates.

Hakase (Dr. Sugiura) : Voiced by Kengo Kumagai. A doctor's son and a gifted young man. He is chosen to be a member of the choir.

Yayoi (Tajima Yayoi) : Voiced by Ozono Airi. A girl who is good friends with Shizu. She is chosen as a member of the choir.

Hikaru (Goto Hikaru) : Voiced by Takada Nana. A girl who is good friends with Shizu. She is chosen as a member of the choir.

Kimiyo (Arima Kimiyo) : Voiced by Honda Kaorumi. A girl who is good friends with Shizu. She is chosen as a member of the choir.

Principal Ikeno : Voiced by Yasuo Iwata. Moved by Akira's enthusiasm, he allows him to rejoin the choir competition.

Mr. Akiyama : Yoji Ueda is in charge of the voice. He teaches the choir together with Mr. Sakamoto.

Takii Sensei : Terasoma Masaki is in charge of the voice. She directs the choir together with Sakamoto Sensei.

Sakamoto Sensei's older brother (Masaki Sakamoto) : Voiced by Masakazu Suzuki. He died in a suicide squad and left a will for Sakamoto Sensei about music education.

Akira's father (Genji Yanagisawa) : Voiced by Takaya Hashi. The owner of a joinery shop and Akira's father.

Akira's Mother : Voiced by Yono Hikari. Akira's mother.

Akira's older sister : Voiced by Rumi Nakamura. Akira's older sister.

Shizu's Mother : Voiced by Keiko Sonoda. Shizu's mother.

Miki Stationery Store Owner : Voiced by Yasuko Hatori. The owner of the stationery store.

Aoki-san Next Door : Akira's neighbor, voiced by Eri Saito.

Shimazu-san, the Landlady : Voiced by Sayuri Sadaoka. Akira's landlady.

MC : Voiced by Yuko Kobayashi. The MC for the choir competition.

■ Staff

Director, Screenplay : Akio Nishizawa

General Producer : Masahiro Murakami

Planning : Masae Nishizawa

Directed by : Masakatsu Iijima

Storyboard : Keiichiro Furuya

Character design and chief animation director : Hiroshi Kugimiya

Art director : Tadashi Kudo

Director of photography : Yoshida Mitsunobu

Edited by : Soji Goto

CG Director : Hiroshi Yagishita

Music Director : Makoto Kuriya

Produced by : WOW Corporation

Produced by : WOW WORLD

■ Theme songs and music

Ending theme : "The Singer"

Lyrics, composition and vocals : KOKIA

■ Evaluations and Awards

"Furusato-JAPAN" won the Grand Prix in both the Animation and Children's Film categories at the 12th Lyon Asian Film Festival held in Lyon, France. The festival is held in Lyon, also known as the place where cinema was invented by the Lumiere Brothers, and is a World Heritage city famous for its gastronomic culture. "Furusato-JAPAN" was nominated in the Animation category along with "Paprika" (directed by Satoshi Kon) and "Fullmetal Alchemist" (directed by Seiji Mizushima), and in the Children's Film category along with five films from China and Thailand.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Furusato-JAPAN" is a story about the growth and friendship of children set in Japan in 1956. In particular, Mr. Sakamoto's passion for music education and the way the children grow through chorus singing are moving. In addition, the tragic event of Shizu's sudden death adds depth to the story, and the portrayal of the emotional growth of Akira, Gon, and the others leaves a strong impression on the audience.

Another attraction of this work is the background and music that evoke Showa-era nostalgia. The setting of Kiba, Fukagawa, Tokyo in 1956 realistically recreates the life and culture of Japan at that time, and has the power to draw the audience into that era. In addition, KOKIA's ending theme "Uta Hito" (The Singer) plays a role in further enhancing the moving feeling of the story.

The characters are portrayed very realistically, with the children's personalities and growth depicted in detail. In particular, the relationship between Akira and Shizu, Gon's hidden feelings, and other aspects of the children's emotions are carefully depicted, evoking sympathy from the audience. In addition, Mr. Sakamoto's character also conveys his passion for music education and his love for the children, creating many touching scenes.

■ Recommendation points

"Furusato-Japan" is a moving film that depicts the growth and friendship of children while evoking nostalgia for the Showa era. In particular, the scenes that depict the importance of music education and the emotional growth of children leave a strong impression on the audience. It is also noteworthy as a film that won the Grand Prix at the Lyon Asian Film Festival. This is a film that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about Showa era Japan, who likes stories about children's growth, and who is interested in music education.

Related information

"Furusato-JAPAN" has been released on DVD and Blu-ray since its theatrical release and is loved by many fans. Related books and soundtracks have also been released, allowing you to enjoy the world of the work even more deeply. In addition, interviews with director Akio Nishizawa, staff, and cast are also available, allowing you to learn about the background of the work and behind-the-scenes stories of its production.

Conclusion

"Furusato-JAPAN" is a moving animated film that depicts Showa-era nostalgia and the story of children's growth. The scenes depicting the importance of music education and the emotional growth of children leave a strong impression on the audience. It is also noteworthy as the film that won the Grand Prix at the Lyon Asian Film Festival. This is a film that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about Showa-era Japan, who likes stories of children's growth, and who is interested in music education.