The animated feature film "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" (directed by Sakuragi Yuhei), based on the coming-of-age novel by Shikimura Ryoko, will be released on October 25th. Tanaka Rena, who played the lead role of Etsu-nee, also known as Murakami Etsuko, in the 1998 film version, has commented on the film.
The film "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" was Tanaka's first starring role, and it marked the beginning of her career as an actor. The animated feature film will be released about 26 years after the film's release. Tanaka commented on the animated feature film, "The Etsu-nee I saw on the screen was full of feelings of helplessness and inferiority, and was a girl who seemed to be the opposite of the sparkle of youth. Although I was nervous about Etsu-nee's words and actions, I was naturally drawn to her, and the feelings I had before seeing the preview turned out to be unfounded worries, and I was transformed into feelings of watching over Etsu-nee, and I was able to simply immerse myself in the work and enter the story."
"I was moved by the natural beauty of Matsuyama reproduced on screen, of course, but the film also depicted the modern-day streetscape of Matsuyama, which was not shown in the live-action version. It reminded me of the days I spent during filming, and I was overcome with nostalgia and embarrassment. The car ride to the sea for rowing practice, the feeling of the light darkening inside the car as we drove through a long tunnel, the feeling of my body and eyelids feeling heavy on the way home, and walking excitedly through the shopping district with my co-stars on my days off - the scenes I experienced back then were spread out on the screen, and it was a strange feeling, as if I was watching ourselves," he recalled.
"The realism of rowing the boat was also reproduced, which was also surprising. It reaffirmed to me that the sparkle of youth is something that shines brightly precisely because of the vague feelings that we have, and it was a wonderful film that made me feel cheerful. I hope that "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" reaches many people," he said. Suzuki Anne, who starred in the drama version that aired in 2005, also commented, "This reunion, nearly 20 years after the summer I spent with Etsu-nee and the others, is like opening a time capsule! Back then, I was doing my best every day, but looking back at it from my perspective now, every moment was just shining brightly and was an incredibly precious treasure, and I feel my heart is filled with gratitude and emotion as I realize that they were always supporting me."
Aibu Saki, who appeared in the drama version, commented, "It was very refreshing to see the vivid portrayal of high school students living in the modern age. And even though times change, I think that the way people live honestly and devote themselves to what they love is always sparkling and unchanging!"
A special movie using the theme song "Sky-colored Splashes" sung by the idol group "The Blue Sky I Wanted to See (Boku Ao)" has been released on YouTube.
"Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" is a novel set in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, depicting the growth and emotional turmoil of a high school girl who devotes her youth to the rowing club. It won the grand prize at the 4th Botchan Literature Award sponsored by Matsuyama City in 1995. In 1998, it was made into a live-action film starring actor Tanaka, which became a long-running hit. In 2005, it was made into a TV series starring Suzuki Anne and Nishikido Ryo.
The anime will be directed by Sakuragi Yuhei, who served as CG director for Miyazaki Hayao's animated short "Kamusi no Boro" and is also known for his work on the animated feature film "Ashita Sekai ga Owaru Shitemo." It will be produced by Moe and Rails. The cast will include Amamiya Sora as the protagonist Murakami Etsuko, Ito Miku as Saeki Hime, Takahashi Rie as Takahashi Rina, Kito Akari as Hyodo Taeko, and Hasegawa Ikumi as Imoto Mayumi.
