Review and evaluation of the movie "Tsurune: The Beginning of the Shot": A masterpiece anime that depicts the beauty of Kyudo and the brilliance of youth

Tsurune the Movie: The Beginning of Shot Review and Details

Overview

Released on August 19, 2022, the movie "Tsurune: The Beginning of the First Shot" is an anime film based on the novel "Tsurune: The Archery Club of Kazemai High School" by Kotoko Ayano. Produced by Kyoto Animation and distributed by Shochiku, the film tells a moving story in 102 minutes. It is directed by Takuya Yamamura, who also wrote the screenplay, and the character designs are by Miki Kadowaki.

■ Story

The boy was fascinated.
The sound of the strings, "Tsurune," will capture your heart and never let go.

The young man hated it.
The person I respected more than anyone.

That day, the sound stopped.
That person left without saying anything.

Frustration and hatred.
A boy and a young man, both suffering from pain, meet, guided by the sound of the strings.

No matter how many times I have to suffer. No matter how many times I am rejected.
They take up their bows and nock their arrows.

<Tsurune>
---It is the sound of a beginning that echoes when an arrow is released.

■Explanation

Narumiya Minato was affected by "Hayaki", a disease of archery, and decided to quit Kyudo. Even though his best friend Takehaya Shizuya joined the Kyudo club after entering high school, Minato's feelings did not change. However, he had a fateful encounter with Takigawa Masaki, and Minato picked up the bow again, even though he was hurt. Returning to the Kyudo club, I feel like I have seen many things. While Masaki was teaching Minato, he also had a deep desire for revenge against his master. I will not become a master like him. Masaki and Minato began to walk together. Seiya, who had supported Minato until now, began to think that he was no longer needed. I am Takigawa-san. I hate you. Minato continues to struggle with the pain of the bow. Masaki is tormented by love and hate for his master. Seiya is cornered by his feelings for his friend. Where will they end up?

■Cast

• Minato Narumiya/Yuto Uemura
• Masataka Takigawa/Shintaro Asanuma
• Shizuya Takehaya/Ao Ichikawa
• Ryohei Yamanouchi/Ryota Suzuki
• Nanao Kisaragi/Shogo Yano
• Kaito Onogi/Kaito Ishikawa
• Shu Fujiwara/Kensho Ono

■ Main staff

• Original work: "Tsurune: Kazemai High School Archery Club" by Kotoko Ayano (KA Esuma Bunko/Kyoto Animation)
• Director: Takuya Yamamura
• Composition, script/Takuya Yamamura
• Screenplay Supervision: Michiko Yokote
• Character design: Kadowaki Miki
• Chief animation director: Nobuaki Maruki
• Art Director: Shoko Ochiai
• 3D art/Shinohara Mutsuo
• Color design: Azumi Hata
• Accessory design: Hiroshi Karata
• Director of photography: Kohei Funamoto
• 3D Director: Lynn Yamamoto
• Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
• Music by Masaru Yokoyama
• Animation Production: Kyoto Animation
• Distribution: Shochiku
• Production/Tsurune Production Committee

■ Main Characters

• Narumiya Minato began practicing archery with the desire to "make the beautiful sound of the bow resonate." However, during his final match in middle school, he developed a premature ejaculation that caused him to shoot arrows against his will. Feeling guilty that his premature ejaculation caused his team to lose, he quit archery, which he loved. In the spring of his first year of high school, when he was unable to let go of his love for the bow, he met Masaki. Moved by Masaki's beautiful shooting, he joined the Kazemai High School archery club in an attempt to regain his own bow sound once again.
• Takigawa Masaki has continued practicing Kyudo, inspired by his grandfather, who was his archery master. Like Minato, he also had a history of being quick-tempered. During that time, his grandfather spoke harsh words to him, which left him deeply hurt. Even now, even though his grandfather is gone, he is still trapped in hatred. Seeing Minato's confusion over the bow overlaps with his past self, and he has become more involved. In addition to serving as the chief priest of Yata Shrine, he coaches the Kazemai High School Kyudo Club, guiding Minato and the others.
• Takehaya Shizuya is a childhood friend of Minato and has been friends with his family ever since. Due to an incident he experienced when he was young, he was left with a burden of guilt that he could never atone for. Since then, he has made Minato the center of everything he thinks about. He started archery at Kirisaki Junior High School, where he and Minato went to school together, and is the captain of the archery club at Kazemai High School.
• Ryohei Yamanouchi is a first-year student in the archery club at Fumai High School. He is a beginner who started practicing archery seriously after entering high school. He was friends with Minato and Seiya in elementary school and was truly happy to be reunited with them. He does not like conflict and treats everyone with sincerity.
• Kisaragi Nao is a first-year student in the archery club at Fumai High School. He is known as a "prince" who is popular with girls for his eye-catching looks and cheerful personality. He is Kaito's cousin, and he often supports Kaito, who gets hot-headed easily.
• Kaito Onogi is a first-year student in the Kyudo Club at Fumai High School. He is the vice-captain. He takes Kyudo more seriously than anyone else, and he has an intimidating attitude towards Minato, who once quit Kyudo. In reality, he is a very kind person.
• Fujiwara Shu is a first-year student in the Kyudo club at the prestigious Kirisaki High School. He has both skill and dignity, and is an impressive archer. When he was in elementary school, he studied Kyudo under the same teacher as Minato. He senses Minato's excellent Kyudo sense, and recognizes him as the only person who aims to reach the pinnacle of Kyudo with him.

■ Related works

• Tsurune -Kazamai High School Archery Club-
• Tsurune -A Shot of Connection-

■ Theme songs and music

• TM1
• Hand
• Lyrics by PON
• Composer: PON
• Arrangement: Luck Life
• Song: Luck Life

■Review

"Tsurune: The Beginning of the Shot" depicts youth and growth through the sport of Kyudo, and its beautiful visuals and deep story draw the audience in. In particular, the depiction of the bow-pulling scene is extremely realistic, bringing out the charm of Kyudo to the fullest. Director Takuya Yamamura has succeeded in appealing to new viewers as well as existing fans by faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work while developing the story from a new perspective.

The story of the protagonist Narumiya Minato's growth will resonate with many viewers. It is moving to see Minato take up archery again despite suffering from a bow-drawing illness called "hayaki." Takigawa Masaki's character is also deep, and his conflict between his past and present adds depth to the story. Takehaya Shizuya's friendship and the personalities of the other club members also shine, making for a very well-balanced cast overall.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this work. The theme song "Hand" by Luck Life has a beautiful melody and lyrics that perfectly match the theme of the story and move the audience. Furthermore, the soundtrack by Masaru Yokoyama effectively expresses the tension and beauty of Kyudo, and the fusion of the images and music is wonderful.

Kyoto Animation's production techniques are also not to be missed. The character designs, background art, and use of 3D are all top-notch, making for a visually stunning film. In particular, the movement and sound of the shooting of the bow makes the viewer feel as if they are actually at the archery range.

This work is not only a youth sports anime, but also an excellent human drama that will be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Even if you are not interested in Kyudo, you will be able to empathize with the story of friendship, effort, failure and recovery. I hope you will experience the beautiful images and moving story at the theater.

■ Recommendation points

• Beautiful depiction of Kyudo: The realism and beauty of the bow-pulling scenes are a must-see.
• Deep story: A moving tale unfolds depicting the growth and conflicts of the protagonists.
• Music: The theme song and accompanying music add excitement to the story and stir the emotions of the viewer.
• Kyoto Animation's technical prowess: First-class production techniques enhance the beauty of the images.
• It can be enjoyed not only as a youth sports anime, but also as a human drama; it is content that will resonate with a wide range of viewers.

■ Additional Information

"Tsurune: The Beginning of the Shot" is a work that is recommended not only for fans of the original novel, but also for anime fans and those who like sports anime. In particular, those who are interested in Kyudo will be able to enjoy it even more deeply. In addition, the story, which depicts the struggles and friendships of youth, as well as efforts and failures, is sure to resonate with many people. We hope you will experience the excitement at the theater.