"I'm glad I kept running": A thorough review of a moving film with a tear-jerking ending

"I'm glad I kept running." - A story of youth torn between dreams and reality

"Hashitate Tsuzukete Yokatta" is a TV anime series based on the original work by HoneyWorks that aired on BS11 from October 9th to October 30th, 2018. Although it was only broadcast for a short period of four episodes, it touched many viewers as a work that depicts the growth and struggles of young people aspiring to be voice actors. In this article, we will introduce "Hashitate Tsuzukete Yokatta" from various angles, from the overview of the work to the characters, staff, and music, and provide a review and recommendation.

■Overview of the work

"I'm Glad I Kept Running" is an original story for the anime, depicting the youth of young people aspiring to be voice actors. The protagonist, Suyama Minato, is captivated by the voice actors' performances when he visits a reading session at an anime event with a friend, and enrolls in Suidobashi Animation Academy. There he meets Omori Chikako, the previous occupant of the apartment Minato moved into, who left a message on a USB. The two aspiring voice actors encourage each other and grow, despite the difficulty of breathing life into their roles and the trauma of the past. The story also depicts the interactions between the two and their seniors and friends who watch over them, realistically depicting the brilliance and suffering of youth.

■ Story

Minato and his friends attend a reading session at an anime event, and are so moved by the voice actors' performances that they decide to enroll in Suidobashi Animation Academy. When he moves into a new apartment, he finds a USB containing a message from the previous resident, Chikako. Chikako is a second-year student aiming to become a voice actress, and like Minato, she is troubled by the difficulty of bringing her character to life. As the two practice at karaoke, they open up about their troubles to each other, encouraging each other as they grow. The story also depicts interactions with the people around them, including seniors Ryota and Kei, and Gushiken Shiori, who comes for a trial enrollment, and realistically depicts the brilliance and suffering of youth.

■ Characters

The charm of "I'm Glad I Kept Running" is, above all, the characters with their unique personalities. The main characters are introduced below.

Minato Suyama

Age: 19 years old Department: Voice Actor Talent Department, 1st year Voice actor: Fukuyama Jun

Minato has been attending university for a year, but he becomes interested in acting and enrolls in Suidobashi Animation Academy. He feels that he is less enthusiastic about acting than the other students around him, and begins to worry about whether he should be at Suidobashi Animation. However, he has great acting talent and natural potential, and the story depicts his growth.

Chika Ohmori

Age: 19 years old Department: Voice Actor Idol Department, 2nd year Voice actor: Iori Noguchi

Chikako has loved anime since she was little and has always wanted to be an actor. She is happiest and most excited when she is acting. However, in her first year, she was discouraged by the excessive instruction of a strict teacher, and when she stood in front of a stranger, her voice and body began to tremble with fear. Her encounter with Minato gave her the impetus to grow.

Ryota Nakata

Age: 20 years old Department: Voice acting, 2nd year anime song student Voice actor: Toriumi Kosuke

Ryota is a popular and charismatic figure at Suidobashi Animation Academy. He is sociable, has a great sense of humor, and already knows many people in the industry. He loves to hang out, but he never skips classes or neglects his own practice. He likes Chikako's voice and expressiveness, and often invites her to appear in the plays he is involved in.

Ikoma View

Age: 23 years old Department: Illustration Department, 2nd year Voice actor: Mai Fuchigami

Kei is Ryota's girlfriend, and because she is much older than the other students, she doesn't try to get too involved with them. She is seen as a mysterious and talented girl by those around her. Like Ryota, she likes Chikako, and secretly listens to her singing and sketches her.

Bookmark Gushiken

Age: 18 years old, 3rd year high school student Voice actor: Koinu

Shiori wants to enter Suidobashi Animation Academy and often attends the trial classes. She has an active personality and pursues her dreams while interacting with Minato, Chikako, and others.

■ Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of "I'm glad I kept running." The main staff members are listed below.

Director: Shinji Arakawa

Shinji Arakawa is an experienced director who has worked on many classic anime. Under his guidance, the work maintains a high level of quality while realistically depicting the youth of young people.

Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi

Natsuko Takahashi is in charge of the storyline, carefully illustrating the characters' growth and conflicts. In the short broadcast period of four episodes, she created a story that deeply touched the viewers.

Character design: Yamako (HoneyWorks)

Yamako is a member of HoneyWorks and was in charge of character design. The characters she designs are unique and charming, and leave a strong impression on viewers.

Character design: Masao Usui

Masao Usui was in charge of the character design for the animation based on Yamako's design. His design not only brings out the individuality of the characters, but also takes into consideration ease of movement in animation.

Prop Design: Yoshida Hiroshi

Hiroaki Yoshida was in charge of designing the props and backgrounds that appear in the film. His designs enrich the worldview of the film and heighten the viewer's immersive feeling.

Color design: Makiko Kojima (Studio Road)

Makiko Kojima was in charge of the color design for the film, and her color scheme effectively conveys the emotions of the characters and the mood of the scenes.

Art Director: Hiromasa Ogura (Ogura Studio)

Hiromasa Ogura was the art director for the film. His art direction brings a realistic portrayal of the film's world, enhancing the viewer's immersive experience.

Director of photography: Maiko Imazeki (Production IG)

Maiko Imazeki was the cinematographer for the film, and her cinematography effectively depicts the movement and camerawork in the scenes to enhance the emotions of the viewer.

Edited by: Rie Matsuhara (Seyama Editorial Office)

Matsuhara Rie was in charge of editing the film, and her editing helps the story flow smoothly and aids the viewer's understanding.

Music: HoneyWorks

HoneyWorks was in charge of the film's music. Their music effectively conveys the emotions of the characters and the mood of the scenes, evoking emotions in the viewer.

Sound Director: Hozumi Goda

Hozumi Goda was the sound director for the work, whose work effectively expresses the voices of the characters and sound effects, enhancing the viewer's sense of immersion.

Recording adjustment: Natsuki Fukuda

Natsuki Fukuda was in charge of the sound adjustment for this production. Her sound adjustments ensured that the characters' voices and sound effects were clear, helping the audience understand.

Sound effects: Yui Ando, ​​Yasuyuki Konno

Yui Ando and Yasuyuki Konno were responsible for the sound effects of the film. Their sound effects effectively express the atmosphere of the scenes and enhance the emotions of the viewer.

Sound Production: Ducks Production

Dax Productions was in charge of the sound production for the film. Their sound production effectively expresses the voices of the characters and sound effects, enhancing the viewer's immersive experience.

Animation production: SIGNAL.MD

SIGNAL.MD was in charge of the animation for the film. Their animation work portrays the characters' movements and expressions realistically, evoking emotions in the viewers.

■Music

The music for "Hashitsume Tsukete Yokatta." was composed by HoneyWorks. The theme song and other songs are listed below.

Opening Theme

"Dream Fanfare"
Lyricist:HoneyWorks
Composer: HoneyWorks
Arrangement: HoneyWorks
Sung by: LIP×LIP (Yujiro (Subaru Uchiyama), Aizo (Nobunaga Shimazaki))

"Yume Fanfare" is a powerful song about Minato, Chikako and friends chasing their dreams. The singing voices of Yujiro and Aizo from LIP×LIP will inspire the hearts of viewers.

Ending Theme

"Aikatsu Happy Ending"
Lyricist:HoneyWorks
Composer: HoneyWorks
Arrangement: HoneyWorks
Song: =LOVE

"Aikatsu Happy End" is a song that warmly sings about the growth and friendship of Minato, Chikako, and friends. =LOVE's singing voice will soothe the hearts of viewers.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

Though it was only broadcast for a short period of four episodes, "I'm Glad I Kept Running" is a work that realistically depicts the growth and struggles of young people aspiring to be voice actors. The personalities and growth of the characters are carefully depicted, deeply moving the viewers. In addition, thanks to the talented production staff, the quality of the work is very high, enhancing the viewer's immersion. The music is also a masterpiece by HoneyWorks, effectively expressing the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the scenes.

This work is recommended to many viewers as it depicts the youth of young people aspiring to become voice actors. It is especially recommended for those who want to empathize with young people chasing their dreams and those who are interested in voice acting. In addition, the story is deeply moving despite its short broadcast period, so it is also recommended for busy people. Please watch "I Kept Running, It's Good" and experience the youth of Minato, Chikako and the others.