It has been announced that the popular group "timelesz" will be performing the theme song, "Kienai Hanabi" (Unfading Fireworks), for the animated film "Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to" (You, Fireworks, and Promise), based on the novel by Madoka Kaori published by Gagaga Bunko (Shogakukan). "Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to" is also generating buzz because it marks the first time that timelesz member Sato Shori will be starring in an animated film, voicing the main character, Natsume Makoto. Additional cast members have also been announced, with Rie Takahashi Rie playing the mysterious girl Haru and Yokozawa Natsuko playing Makoto's mother, Yukari.
The theme song, "Kienai Hanabi" (Unfading Fireworks), was written specifically for this film, and information about the song was released in advance on May 14th, attracting attention mainly from fans. Regarding his group's involvement in the theme song, Sato commented, "Timelessz's 'Kienai Hanabi' was chosen as the theme song for the movie 'Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to' (You, Fireworks, and Promise). The film is truly wonderful, so I felt some pressure... But just as Makoto and Kira were able to meet, I was able to encounter this song. I can deliver it with confidence. Fireworks may be a fleeting brilliance, but they can also leave a lasting impression deep in your heart. I think we were able to create a theme song that reflects that. I hope it reaches everyone."
The official trailer, featuring the theme song, has also been released on YouTube. The video begins with the memorable line, "Hey, do you believe in fate?" spoken by the heroine, Hayama Kira, voiced by Nanoka Hara, and depicts the moment when Kira, who had been told by her great-grandmother that she would one day meet Natsume Makoto and that he would paint a picture for her, fatefully meets Makoto. Furthermore, the trailer also introduces Haru, a mysterious girl whom Makoto encounters when he travels to Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, to investigate the mystery of Kira's sudden disappearance and the fireworks painting she left behind.
Takahashi, who plays the mysterious girl Haru, said, "I was very honored to be entrusted with such an interesting and strong character. I myself learned a lot about Nagaoka through this project, so I feel a sense of mission in delivering it to so many people in the form of a theatrical animation. It was my first time trying the Nagaoka dialect, so I first learned it from the guide audio included in the recording video, and on the day of recording, I recorded while having people from Nagaoka watch the video. During the recording, there were expressions that some people in Nagaoka say and some that they don't, and for the newly added lines, we had them perform them. It was a very enriching experience to do the voice acting while staying close to Nagaoka! When I looked at the description of Haru, the character I'm in charge of, it says that she 'seems to have wandered in from the past'...! It's a mysterious but very straightforward story. Please come to the theater and share the same moment with them."
Yokozawa, who hails from Niigata, the setting of this film, said, "I am honored to be able to participate in such a wonderful film from my hometown of Niigata. I played the role of Makoto's mother, and during the recording, I was told to 'imagine a working mother who is very busy working as a hair and makeup artist,' so I was nervous about whether I could convey the voice of someone who is always watching over her son while working. I was deeply moved by her son's straightforwardness, and I hope I was able to encourage him well. I hope that Makoto's all-out efforts and passionate feelings will reach many people."
The main visual has also been released, depicting Makoto and Kira holding hands and looking up at the night sky under a large fireworks display.
"You, Fireworks, and Promise" tells the story of Hayama Kou, who, as a child, was told by his great-grandmother that he would one day meet Natsume Makoto, along with a drawing of fireworks. Together with Natsume Makoto, he investigates the secret of that drawing. Directed by Suzuki Kei, the animation is produced by SynergySP and Answer Studio. It will be released on July 17th.
