Review of "Rainy Days": A fusion of moving story and beautiful images

"Rain-Stopping Drifting Complex": A fantasy adventure at the end of summer

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

September 16, 2022

■Distribution company

Distributor: Twin Engine, Giggly Box

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Planning/Twin Engine

■ Director

・Director: Yuyasu Ishida

■ Production

・Produced by Studio Colorido ・Produced by Colorido Twin Engine Partners

■Works

©Colorido Twin Engine Partners

■ Story

Kosuke and Natsume are childhood friends who grew up like siblings. When they became sixth graders, the two began to have tension with each other after Kosuke's grandfather Yasuji passed away. One day during summer vacation, Kosuke sneaks into the "haunted apartment complex" that is in the process of being demolished with his classmates. The complex is the house where Kosuke and Natsume grew up. There, Kosuke unexpectedly encounters Natsume and learns about the existence of a mysterious boy named Noppo. Suddenly, he is caught up in a mysterious phenomenon - and suddenly he finds himself surrounded by an ocean. With Kosuke and his friends on board, the apartment complex is adrift in the mysterious sea. It's the first time they've experienced survival. The children join forces. Will they cry, fight, or make up? Will they be able to return to their world? A summer farewell journey begins -

■Explanation

Studio Colorido's third animated feature film, "Drifting Apartment Complex: A Message of Rain," is a fantasy adventure set at the end of summer. Studio Colorido, which produced their first feature film, "Penguin Highway," in 2018, received worldwide praise for their film "I Want to Cry, So I Put on a Cat Mask," which was exclusively distributed worldwide on Netflix in 2020 and was ranked in the top 10 most viewed films in over 30 countries around the world. Studio Colorido's long-awaited new work is their third animated feature film, "Drifting Apartment Complex: A Message of Rain," which will be produced as a Netflix film. The story of a summer adventure begins when childhood friends Kosuke and Natsume, sixth graders, and their friends enter an apartment complex before it is demolished. The apartment complex carrying the boys and girls is set adrift in the ocean. The film has the freshness and momentum that is typical of Studio Colorido, with its video techniques that take the audience from reality to a fantasy world and its familiar visuals. The director is Ishida Yuko, who is just 33 years old and making his second feature film. His work "Blue Shigure in the Sun" (2013) was selected as a jury recommended work in the animation category at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and with "Penguin Highway" (2018) he made his unprecedented debut as a feature film director at the young age of 29, winning the Excellence in Animation Award at the 42nd Japan Academy Prize and the Satoshi Kon Award (Best Animation Award) at the Fantasia International Film Festival. He is a creator who will lead the next generation of animation.

■Cast

・Kousuke Kumagai/Mutsumi Tamura/Natsume Usui/Asami Seto/Noppo/Ayumu Murase/Yozu Tachibana/Daiki Yamashita/Taishi Koiwai/Yumiko Kobayashi/Reina Uma/Inori Minase/Juri Ando/Kana Hanazawa/Yasuji Kumagai/Bin Shimada/Riko Usui/Nana Mizuki

■ Main staff

・Director / Ishida Yukou・Screenplay / Mori Hayashi, Ishida Yukou・Character design / Nagae Akihiro・Assistant character designer / Kato Fumi・Direction / Watanabe Yo, Mazaki Kei, Takeuchi Masato, Kimura Taku, Masuda Atsuhito・Chief animation directors / Chikaoka Nao, Nishimura Yukie, Huang Jie, Kato Mayuko, Ogino Miki, Miura Nana, Yabumoto Kazuhiko, Mizuno Ryosuke, Sakaguchi Kanako, Watanabe Akiko, Hirai Kotono, Sakurai Tetsuya, Usami Koichi, Shinoda Takaomi, Saito Dan・Art director / Inaba Kunihiko・Color design / Hirose Izumi・CG director / Takehana Mayu・Director of photography / Machida Kei・Editor / Kinami Ryota・Music / Abe Kaitaro・Sound director / Kimura Eriko・Planning and producing / Yamamoto Koji・Theme song, insert song / Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. (EMI Records)
Planning: Twin Engine Production: Studio Colorido Distribution: Twin Engine, Giggly Box Production: Colorido Twin Engine Partners

■ Main Characters

・Kousuke Kumagai
A sixth grade elementary school student. She grew up with her childhood friend Natsume like siblings in the Kamonomiya housing complex, but they got into a fight after the demolition of the complex and the death of her grandfather Yasuji. In the soccer club, she and Natsume are two forwards.
・Tonai Natsume
A childhood friend who grew up with Kosuke in Kamonomiya housing complex. He calls Kosuke's grandfather Yasuji "Yasu-jii" and adores him like a real family member. He can't accept that the complex is going to be demolished.
A boy appears at Kamonomiya housing complex where the demolition of Noppo is underway. He is called "Noppo" by Natsume because of his height.
・Yuzuru Tachibana
A large, gentle boy who is in the same class as Kosuke and his friends. He is always hanging out with Kosuke and Taishi. As the eldest of four siblings, he often mediates between them.
・Koiwai Taishi
A classmate of Kosuke and his friends, he is a playful boy who moves around like a puppy. Sometimes he gets too playful, to the point that Kosuke and Yuzuru are annoyed by him.
・Haba Reina
A girl with a competitive personality who is in the same class as Kosuke and his friends. She is interested in Kosuke and often snaps at Natsume, who is always by his side. She loves going to amusement parks with her dad.
・Juri Ando
A gentle girl who is a classmate of Kosuke and his friends. She has been best friends with Reina since childhood, and has made it a habit to watch over and support the reckless Reina.
・Kumagaya Yasuji
Kosuke's grandfather. He has lived in the Kamonomiya housing complex since it was built 60 years ago. He and Kosuke loved Natsume like their own granddaughters, but he passed away when the complex was demolished. His hobby is photography.
・Tono Satoko
Natsume's mother. She cares about Natsume, but is a clumsy workaholic.

■ Theme songs and music

・TM1
・It feels like I'm going to disappear・Lyrics by: ACA ne・Composition by: ACA ne・Sung by: I wish it was midnight forever.

・IN1
・Summer Withering・Lyrics by ACA ne・Composition by ACA ne・Sung by I wish it was midnight forever.

The appeal and evaluation of "The Drifting Apartment Complex that Heralds Rain"

"Rain Tells the Drifting Apartment Complex" is the third feature-length animated film produced by Studio Colorido and was released in theaters on September 16, 2022. This film is an adventure fantasy about childhood friends Kosuke and Natsume who get caught up in a mysterious phenomenon in an apartment complex that is being demolished and are adrift on the open sea. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reviews of this work.

The appeal of the story

The story of this work centers around childhood friends Kosuke and Natsume. The two grew up like siblings and shared many memories in the housing complex. However, with the passing of Kosuke's grandfather Yasuji and the demolishment of the housing complex progressing, their relationship begins to become strained. Meanwhile, when Kosuke sneaks into the complex with a classmate, the two meet again and learn of the existence of a mysterious boy named Noppo. Then, a fantasy story unfolds as they are suddenly adrift in the ocean.

The story depicts themes of children's growth, friendship, and farewells as reality and fantasy intertwine. In particular, the relationship between Kosuke and Natsume, and their attachment to the housing complex are depicted in depth, evoking strong empathy from the audience. The children's efforts to join forces through their survival life are both moving and humorous, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

The appeal of video and music

As a Studio Colorido production, the major appeal of "Drifting Apartment Complex Heralds Rain" is its beautiful visuals and music. Director Ishida Yusuke draws the audience into the world of the story by making full use of visual techniques to smoothly depict the transition from reality to fantasy. In particular, the scene of the apartment complex adrift in the ocean is a perfect blend of realistic depiction and a fantastical atmosphere, making a strong visual impact. The character designs are also friendly, with the children's expressions and movements depicted in great detail.

In terms of music, the beautiful soundtrack by Kaitaro Abe adds excitement to the story. The theme song and insert song by Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni. also match the theme of the story and enhance the emotional excitement. In particular, the theme song "Kieshimau Souzo" and the insert song "Natsu Kare" play a role in further enhancing the moving scenes of the story.

Character Appeal

The characters in this work are all unique, yet depict the realistic emotions and growth of children. The protagonist, Kosuke, faces the reality of his grandfather's death and the demolition of the housing complex, but it is moving to see him work together with Natsume and his friends to overcome these difficulties. Natsume has a strong attachment to the complex and feelings for Kosuke, and her growth and change are important elements of the story. Additionally, the mysterious boy Noppo and Kosuke's classmates also show their own individual personalities, enriching the story.

In particular, Kosuke's grandfather Yasuji adds depth to the story as a figure watching over the history of the housing complex and the growth of the children. The scenery of the complex and his interactions with the children captured through his camera leave a strong impression on the audience. Natsume's mother Satoko is also a character who, despite being clumsy, is realistic in the way she cares for her daughter, making her a strong familial bond character.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Drifting Apartment Complex Heralds the Rain" is a work that combines Studio Colorido's high production techniques with a moving story and charming characters. In particular, the themes of children's growth, friendship, and farewell will resonate with and move many audience members. In addition, the beautiful images and music are combined beautifully, providing visual and auditory enjoyment.

This film is recommended for a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. Watching it at the end of summer will allow you to feel the end of your youth and a new beginning. It is also a must-see for those who enjoy stories where fantasy and reality intersect, and for fans of Studio Colorido's works. Furthermore, watching it with family and friends will give you even deeper emotions and empathy.

Above, we have explained in detail the appeal and reviews of "The Drifting Apartment Complex that Tells of Rain." This work will surely be loved by many audiences as a new masterpiece of Studio Colorido. We hope you will experience the excitement at the theater.