It has been announced that the animated feature film "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" (directed by Sakuragi Yuhei, to be released on October 25th), based on the youth novel by Shikimura Ryoko, which has also been made into a live-action film and a TV drama, will collaborate with "Love Live!", which is also popular for its anime and other media. The collaboration was made possible because Nishida Asako was in charge of character design for both works. A collaboration illustration drawn by Nishida has been released. It depicts Murakami Etsuko from "Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" and Kosaka Honoka from "Love Live!" holding hands and embracing each other.
"Ganbatte Ikimasshoi" is a novel set in Matsuyama City, 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 Literary Award sponsored by Matsuyama City in 1995. In 1998, it was made into a live-action film starring actress Tanaka Rena, and was 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, who served as CG director for Miyazaki Hayao's short anime "Boro the Caterpillar" and is also known for the animated feature film "Even if the World Ends Tomorrow." It will be produced by Moe Rails. The cast includes Amamiya Sora as the protagonist Murakami Etsuko, Ito Miku as Saeki Hime, Takahashi Rie as Takahashi Riina, Kito Akari as Hyodo Taeko, and Hasegawa Ikumi as Imoto Mayumi.
The first chapter of the theatrical anime film "Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club: Final Chapter," based on the "Love Live!" series' "Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club," is currently in theaters.
