The appeal and reviews of Meiji Fruit Juice Gummy "Megumi to Taiyou": The bittersweet taste of youth

Meiji Fruit Juice Gummy "Megumi and Taiyo" - A touching reunion and the power of Twitter

■ Public Media

others

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ First appearance date

June 1, 2011

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

Rintaro

■ Production

Animation Production: Madhouse

■Works

©Meiji Co, Ltd.

■ Story

Megumi and Taiyou were born and raised in neighboring vineyards and have been together since childhood, but they were separated when Megumi suddenly moved to Tokyo. While working at his family's vineyard, Taiyou's feelings for Megumi grow stronger. Megumi begins working at a fashionable general store in Tokyo that she has always dreamed of.
After two months of not knowing each other, they both start using Twitter on the same day. Without knowing that the other has started using Twitter, they start tweeting their thoughts freely.
Eventually, many followers began to support Taiyou, who was not good at romance, and he found a strong and important advisor. He consulted his followers about even the smallest details, such as how to reply to Megumi's emails, and while being taught one by one, he struggles to close the gap with Megumi, who has drifted apart.
However, after making a big decision to go to Tokyo, Taiyo finds out that Megumi has someone else she likes, and when he finally musters up the courage to confess his feelings, he is rejected at the wrong time and called an idiot, and is shocked when an older woman named Midori who works at the same farm confesses her love to him... Despite all these hardships, Taiyo is sometimes encouraged and sometimes scolded for his unmanly behavior, but with the support of his followers, he moves forward and grows step by step.
Then Megumi found Taiyou's account and realized how sincere his feelings were for her.
On the day of the fireworks display at the vineyard, which holds many memories, Taiyou and Megumi openly confess their feelings to each other. What will become of the love between the two people that began to move on Twitter...?

■Explanation

Meiji's "Fruit Juice Gummy" is a standard fruit gummy that contains 100% fruit juice (based on fresh fruit juice) and no artificial colorings. Three types, "Fruit Juice Gummy Grape", "Fruit Juice Gummy Unshu Mandarin" and "Fruit Juice Gummy Fruit Blend", have been on sale nationwide since May 17, 2011. In conjunction with the product's release, the full-length original animation "Fruit Juice Gummy Megumi and Taiyo Edition" was aired, depicting the reunion of Megumi, who grew up in a vineyard, and her childhood friend Taiyo. It is a refreshing episode created to match the natural and fresh image of the Fruit Juice Gummy.
The original character designs were done by Yusuke Nakamura, a popular illustrator who worked on the character designs for "The Tatami Galaxy" and won the Grand Prize in the Animation Division of the Japan Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The animation director is Rintaro, who has worked on many masterpieces such as "Galaxy Express 999" and "Metropolis," and the music is "Ai Uta" by GReeeeN. The song achieved a total of 6.5 million downloads and became the first mega-hit in the history of ringtones.
Furthermore, in "Tweet Love Story," which links the TV commercial with Twitter, you can enjoy the story unfolding in real time. You can also send messages to the two characters who pass each other, which will help the story unfold.
A special animated commercial will be released in July, and new product packaging featuring illustrations of Megumi, the main character of "Megumi and Taiyou," will be released in August.

■Cast

・Main character: Megumi ・Main character's childhood friend: Taiyou

■ Main staff

・Animation Director: Rintaro ・Animation Producer: Masao Maruyama ・Character Design: Yusuke Nakamura ・CM Director: Katsuyuki Iwai

■ Main Characters

・Megumi
19 years old. A tomboy born and raised in a vineyard. Her bob haircut and big, sparkling eyes show her personality of moving forward in a straight line and hating crooked things. After graduating from high school, she left the vineyards she loved since childhood and somehow ended up in Tokyo, a place she had always dreamed of. Recently, she has found herself tired of the city air.
・Sun
19 years old. A childhood friend and classmate of the main character Megumi. A serious, intelligent, and kind young man. He works at a vineyard that has been in operation for generations. In contrast to Megumi's drive, he is unable to act on his own thoughts. He has been bossed around by the strong-willed Megumi since childhood. His feelings for Megumi grow stronger from the vineyard, far from Tokyo.

■ Theme songs and music

"Happy Half Year!"
Lyrics by Kana Nishino
Composition/SKY BEATZ・FAST LANE・LISA DESMOND・FILIP LINDFORS
Sung by Kana Nishino

■Detailed evaluation

Meiji Kaju Gummy "Megumi and Taiyo" is a one-episode animated work that was released in 2011 and was created as part of the promotion of Meiji Kaju Gummy. This work is a touching story about the reunion and growth of childhood friends Megumi and Taiyo, and is characterized by its interactive elements that utilize Twitter.

The story begins with Megumi and Taiyou, who grew up together from a young age, being separated when Megumi moves to Tokyo. Taiyou's feelings for Megumi grow stronger while working at his family's vineyard, and Megumi starts working at a general store in Tokyo. Two months later, the two coincidentally join Twitter on the same day, and tweet their feelings without knowing each other's existence. Taiyou tries hard to close the gap with Megumi with the help of his followers, but faces many difficulties. Eventually, the two are reunited at a fireworks festival at the vineyard, and the story ends in a touching way, confirming their feelings for each other.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its real-time nature and interactivity. Viewers can participate in the story through Twitter and experience Megumi and Taiyou's romance in real time. This was a very innovative attempt at the time, and it succeeded in capturing the interest of viewers. The story itself also realistically depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the difficulties of love, which resonated with many viewers.

The character settings are also very appealing. Megumi is proactive and has a straightforward personality, while Taiyou is earnest and kind, but has difficulty expressing his feelings. It is moving to see how these two contrasting characters grow together while supporting each other. In addition, the detailed descriptions of the background, such as Megumi's life in Tokyo and Taiyou's work at the vineyard, give the viewer a sense of realism.

The production staff is also impressive, with animation director Rintaro having worked on numerous masterpieces, and his experience and skills are put to good use in this work. Character designer Yusuke Nakamura also brings out the charm of Megumi and Taiyou with his unique touch. In addition, the theme song "Happy Half Year!" features Kana Nishino's refreshing voice, which adds color to the story, and GReeeeN's "Ai Uta" is also a perfect fit for expressing Taiyou's feelings.

■Recommendation details

Meiji Kaju Gummy's "Megumi and Taiyou" is a moving work that realistically depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the difficulties of love. In particular, the interactive elements that utilize Twitter have the power to draw the viewer into the story. In addition, the character growth and detailed depiction of the background give the viewer a sense of realism. This work, filled with a splendid production staff, charming characters, and a moving story, is definitely one you should see.

To enjoy this work, please pay attention to the following points.

• A story of Megumi and Taiyou's growth and reunion
• Interactive elements using Twitter
• A luxurious production staff and character design
• A story depicting the bittersweetness of youth and the difficulties of love
• Background depiction and realism

Meiji Kaju Gummy "Megumi and Taiyou" is a moving work that realistically depicts the bittersweetness of youth and the difficulties of love, and is characterized by its interactive elements that utilize Twitter. Please take a look and enjoy the story of Megumi and Taiyou's growth and reunion.