It has been announced that the novel "You, Fireworks and Promises" by Madoka Madoka, published by Gagaga Bunko (Shogakukan), has been adapted into an anime and will be released as a theatrical anime on July 17th. Sato Shori of the popular group "timelesz" will voice the main character, Natsume Makoto. This will be Sato's first time starring in an animated feature film. Actor Nanoka Hara will play the heroine, Hayama Akira. Suzuki Kei will serve as director, and SynergySP and Answer Studio will produce the anime.
"You, Fireworks and Promises" tells the story of Hayama Akira, who was told by his great-grandmother as a child that "one day he will meet Natsume Makoto" along with a picture of fireworks, and who then searches for the secret of the picture together with Natsume Makoto... A super teaser visual depicting Makoto and Akira through fireworks sparkling in the night sky, as well as a super trailer in which you can hear the voices of Makoto and Akira played by Sato and Hara, have also been released.
Sato said, "I've always wanted to work in animation. I've been thinking about it for a while, so I'm really happy to have been asked to do this. I'm also very grateful to the production team for welcoming me so warmly, even though this was my first time trying voice acting. I hope to be able to honestly voice the character of Makotsu in a way that will live up to their expectations. And I would also like to go see the Nagaoka fireworks someday. War must never be repeated. I sincerely hope that true peace will continue."
Hara said, "When I read the script, I was strongly struck by the prayers that are contained in the Nagaoka fireworks and the depth of the feelings that the people have carried up until now. It is a heart-pounding story about the sparkle of youth and the fateful encounter between two people, but I also think it is a work that acts as a bridge, connecting the strong desire of our ancestors that 'we will never repeat war again' to the next generation. I will approach the work carefully and sincerely in the upcoming recording so that this feeling will reach directly into the hearts of everyone who watches."
◇Comment from the original author, Madoka
I am filled with gratitude that the day has come when a work I began writing without even having a publisher in mind will be made into an animated film. The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a special one. Watching them brings tears to my eyes for some reason. Learning about the Nagaoka Fireworks, a festival filled with prayers and wishes, brought to mind the story of a boy and two girls living their lives to the fullest in the present. The sparkle these boys and girls display as they earnestly live each day is as beautiful and precious as fireworks. Nothing would bring me greater joy than if viewers at the cinema were to be moved by the story of how a mediocre, unremarkable 15-year-old boy's life, weaving together not only the past and present but also the future, as he pursues his path. While I was writing, I happened to see Sato Shori appear on a television program. I felt a strong connection between his facial expressions and gestures and "Makotsu," so it feels like a dream that he would actually play the role. I'm sure the brilliance of Nanoka Hara's voice is not just the author's own imagination. I have confidence in Director Suzuki and am truly looking forward to seeing the finished product.
◇Comment from Akamoku, the original character designer
The character draft is an important role that influences both the film and the novel. For that reason, I remember spending the most time reading the original work and script over and over again, and considering the image and personality of each character that original author Madoka had, as well as her interpretation of the Nagaoka fireworks. My main focus was on how to best utilize my drawings to effectively visualize Madoka's interpretation, but as the project was premised on an animated film, I focused on ease of movement and the essential elements, creating designs that convey the individuality of each character when viewed in their entirety, including facial expressions, hairstyles, body shapes, and clothing designs.
I have faith in the people at each studio for the movie and am looking forward to its completion, but the novel version, for which I created illustrations after creating the original character designs, contains fascinating scenes that show a different Makotsu and sparkle from the movie. I hope you will pick it up if you have the time.
◇Comment from planning and producing director Michihiko Umezawa
Last year, 2025, marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. It was in 2017 that I began thinking about creating a project to ensure the war, which is slowly being forgotten, is not forgotten. I happened to go see the fireworks in Nagaoka, and I learned that the fireworks represent the hopes of rebuilding Nagaoka, which was reduced to ashes by air raids and many people died, and of offering a memorial to those who perished. I wanted to turn this into a film, so I approached the original author, Kaori Mado, about writing a book, and she gladly agreed. It's taken a long time, including the COVID-19 pandemic, but I'm very happy to finally be able to release it. I hope that people of the protagonist's generation will compare the restrictive era in which people could not freely express what they wanted with the freedom of today, and that it will inspire them to live positively, facing the future like Makoto and Akira. Finally, I'd like to thank Sato Shori and Nanoka Hara, who kindly agreed to appear in the film, the director, the staff, and everyone who supported the project.
*Credit (titles omitted)
Original work: Madoka Madoka▽Director: Satoshi Suzuki▽Screenplay: Kohei Mori▽Character design: Yuji Watanabe▽Original character concept: Akamoku▽Planning and production: Michihiko Umezawa▽Original script: Madoka Hosoya, michi▽Planning and production: Shin-Ei Animation▽Animation production: SynergySP, Answer Studio▽Distribution: Shochiku, Shin-Ei Animation▽Promotional cooperation: Shogakukan▽Sponsored by: Niigata Prefecture, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association
