Impressions and reviews of the movie "Haikara-san ga Tooru: Part 2": Enjoy the great romance of Tokyo

Deep dive into the appeal and emotion of "The Movie: Part 2 of Haikara-san: Tokyo's Great Romance"

■Overview of the work

"Haikara-san to Tooru the Movie Part 2: Hana no Tokyo Dai Romance" is an animated film released on October 19, 2018, based on the shojo manga "Haikara-san to Tooru" by Waki ​​Yamato. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and animated by Nippon Animation. It is one episode long, 105 minutes long, and directed by Kidokoro Masaaki. This film depicts the final chapter of the original work, and is the long-awaited conclusion of the story, which can be said to be a monumental achievement in shojo manga.

■ Story

Living in Taisho era Japan, a time when women were still not free to choose their love and career, Hanamura Benio meets Lieutenant Ijuin Shinobu, her fiancé, arranged by her grandparents. At first, Benio is repelled by the lieutenant, but gradually they are drawn to each other and develop a love that goes beyond the relationship of a fiancé. However, the lieutenant goes missing on the battlefield in Siberia, and Benio, believing he is alive, heads to Manchuria. After returning to Japan, she meets Marquis Sasha Mikhailov, a Russian aristocrat in exile who resembles the lieutenant, but is informed that he is not the lieutenant. The one who supports the heartbroken Benio is Aoe Tosei, the editor-in-chief of the publishing company where she works. Touched by Tosei's passion and kindness, Benio decides to walk a new path, but at that moment, a major disaster strikes Tokyo. As people flee, Benio's heart is torn between the lieutenant and Tosei. What final choice will "Haikara-san" make as she runs through the short but turbulent Taisho era? Who will she end up with? The story comes to a moving conclusion.

■Explanation

"Haikara-san ga Tooru" is a hit girls' manga serialized in "Weekly Shonen Friend" that has sold over 12 million copies. As a landmark romantic comedy, it has been developed in various media in the past. In recent years, it has also been adapted for the stage by the Takarazuka Revue, and continues to be loved by a wide range of generations. This work has been revived as a two-part animated film with a new staff and cast, and "Part 1: Benio, a Beautiful 17 Years Old" was released in November 2017. "Part 1" was enthusiastically supported by long-time fans and gave a fresh impression to the younger generation. Then, the long-awaited "Part 2: A Flowering Tokyo Romance" was released, and the last part of the original work was animated for the first time. The director is Kidokoro Masaaki, who served as assistant director of "Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?", and the character design is by Nishii Terumi. The cast includes a talented cast of voice actors, including Hayami Saori as Benio, Miyano Mamoru as the lieutenant, and Sakurai Takahiro as Tohoshi. The theme song is "New Morning" sung by Hayami Saori, with lyrics and music by Takeuchi Mariya. This work depicts the fate of Benio, who grows into an independent woman after parting ways with her beloved lieutenant, and is concluded as a masterpiece of romantic comedy that will remain in the history of girls' manga.

■Cast

・Beniou Hanamura: Saori Hayami ・Shinobu Ijuin: Mamoru Miyano ・Tousei Aoe: Takahiro Sakurai ・Shingo Onijima: Kazuya Nakai ・Ranmaru Fujieda: Yuki Kaji ・Tamaki Kitakoji: Asami Seto ・Larisa: Maaya Sakamoto

■ Main staff

・Original Story: Waki ​​Yamato・Director: Masaaki Kidokoro・Screenplay: Kazuhiro Furuhashi・Character Design: Terumi Nishii・Chief Animation Directors: Hideki Ito, Noriko Otake, Miyuki Nakamura・Animation Directors: Mayumi Watanabe, Toshiya Washida, Yoichi Onishi, Takahisa Ichikawa, Kiyotaka Iida, Ayano Yoshioka・Direction: Yasuhiro Noda, Mamoru Enomoto, Hisaya Takabayashi, Masaaki Kidokoro・Art Design: Yasutada Kato・Art Director: Kazuhiro Obata・Color Settings: Kunio Tsujita・Director of Photography: Ryoji Akiyama・Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi・Music: Michiru Oshima・Animation Production: Nippon Animation・Production: Theatrical Version "Gift for Miss Haikara" Production Committee・Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures

■ Theme songs and music

・Theme song "New Morning"
Lyrics: Mariya Takeuchi Composition: Mariya Takeuchi Arrangement: Sho Maeguchi Vocals: Saori Hayami

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Haikara-san ga Tooru: Part 2" faithfully depicts the final chapter of the original work, while adding depth with its beautiful visuals and music. In particular, the portrayal of Benio's growth and the relationships surrounding her deeply touches the hearts of the audience. Saori Hayami, who plays Benio, conveys her subtle emotions realistically, drawing the audience into the story. Mamoru Miyano and Takahiro Sakurai also perform brilliantly, portraying the characters of the lieutenant and Fuyusei in three dimensions. Director Masaaki Kidokoro respects the worldview of the original work, while adding a new interpretation from a modern perspective, giving the work freshness and depth. The music, by Michiru Oshima, also enhances the emotional impact of the story. The theme song "Atarashii Asa" combines Mariya Takeuchi's beautiful melody with Saori Hayami's singing voice, further enhancing the emotion of the story.

■ Recommendation points

This work is recommended not only for fans of girls' manga, but also for those who like romantic comedies and historical dramas. It is especially recommended for female viewers who can empathize with Benio's growth and love life. In addition, the background of the story and the relationships between the characters are carefully drawn so that even those who are not familiar with the original work can enjoy it. In addition, the beautiful animation and moving music provide a moving experience from both visual and audio. By watching it with family and friends, you will be able to share the emotions and enjoy deep discussions. "The Movie: Part 2: The Flower of Tokyo Romance" will be a masterpiece that will be loved across generations and will inspire many people.

Related information

"Haikara-san ga Tooru: Part 2 - Hana no Tokyo Dai Romance" is the final chapter of the original work, and in order to understand the whole series, we recommend watching "Part 1 - Benio, Hana no 17-sai" as well. The original manga and the Takarazuka Revue stage adaptation are also interesting, so if you want to enjoy the work in more depth, check them out. Furthermore, if you watch other works by director Kidokoro Masaaki and voice actors Hayami Saori, Miyano Mamoru, and Sakurai Takahiro, you will be able to understand their talents and expressiveness more deeply.

Conclusion

"Haikara-san to Tooru the Movie Part 2: Hana no Tokyo Dai Romance" is the final chapter of the monumental shojo manga "Haikara-san to Tooru", and is a moving work that brings out the charm of the original work to the fullest. The fusion of Benio's growth and love life, beautiful animation and music, and the performances of the talented voice actors will deeply move the audience. This work is recommended for those who like romantic comedies and historical dramas, and anyone looking for a moving story. Be sure to watch it at the theater, on DVD or online, and be moved by Benio's story, laughing, crying, and being touched by it.