It has been announced that "Darwin Comes to the World: Cat Friends," the sixth film adaptation of NHK's popular nature program "Darwin Comes to the World!" (directed by Akihiko Ida), will be released on October 2nd. Furthermore, it was also announced that characters from the next episode's preview animation, "Manul's Evening," will make their first appearance in the film.
Five theatrical films of "Darwin Comes!" have been released since 2019, and this sixth installment features felines, of which there are said to be over 40 species worldwide, as the main characters. It showcases the magnificent hunt of a lion targeting a giraffe in the scorching desert, the coordinated efforts of young cheetahs living in packs on the savanna, and the extraordinary hunting methods of the Pallas's cat using its tail. Manuko Mama (Takayuki Yamada) and Tsunomin (Inori Minase), Pallas's cats who appear in "Manul's Evening," serve as narrators. The ending theme is "Gamushara" by MISIA, the same as the TV series.
◇Comment from Manuko Mama (Takayuki Yamada)
Cats, cats, cats...they are the ultimate creatures. In the movie, I hope you enjoy the occasional wild side I, Manuko, show, and my tsundere charm. Please relax and enjoy the banter between me and Tsunomin, which you can only experience on the big screen.
Many different felines appear, such as lions, cheetahs, jaguars, Pallas's cats, caracals, servals, and Tsushima leopard cats, but is there any particular feline you'd like me to highlight? Every type of cat has its own charm, so I can't choose just one. But one thing I can say for sure is that no human being can resist the cuteness of a kitten.
◇Comment from Inori Minase, who plays the narrator and Tsunomin
"Manul's Evening" has been loved by many people for a long time, and Tsunomin has become a special character to me. I am very happy to be involved in a work that allows people to learn about the charm of living things and nature in a fun way, and I think that everyone who has been supporting us on TV, as well as myself, will be moved to see Tsunomin and Manuko Mama, who have been building up through the preview animations for the next episode, finally appear on the big screen as a movie! I hope you will enjoy the world of "Darwin's Coming!" to the fullest with the powerful visuals and sound that can only be experienced in a theater!
Many different felines appear, including lions, cheetahs, jaguars, Pallas's cats, caracals, servals, and Tsushima leopard cats. Is there any particular feline you'd like us to pay special attention to?
I participated in this project as a narrator, and I was amazed by the resilience of life and the unexpected evolution I witnessed through the habits, family love, territorial disputes, and the growth of a young cheetah among felines! Watching the footage, I was deeply moved to realize that animals also have hearts that care for their companions and the strength to live life to the fullest. I hope that this work will inspire viewers to enjoy looking at animals on a deeper level!
◇Ending theme "Gamushara" - Comment from MISIA
On this Earth, where there is still so much we don't know, life continues its journey, striving to survive in its own unique place.
Through filming in Tsushima, I witnessed creatures running across the land, crossing the sea, and soaring through the sky, and I felt that they truly embodied the brilliance of life lived with unbridled determination.
As "Darwin Comes!" reaches its 20th anniversary, I created this song hoping to convey that powerful pulse and the reckless energy of life, along with the excitement of stepping into the unknown. I look forward to seeing the various creatures that will be featured on the program in the future.
