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Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Drama Gets Anime Film From SHAFT

posted on by Karen Ressler
Hitoshi Ōne writes scripts, Nobuyuki Takeuchi directs, Akiyuki Simbo is chief director

Director Shunji Iwai's 1993 live-action drama Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?) is inspiring an anime film that will open in Japan on August 18, 2017.

Hitoshi Ōne (live-action Bakuman., Moteki) wrote the script for the upcoming film and Nobuyuki Takeuchi (key animator on Spirited Away, Penguindrum, Bakemonogatari) will direct the film at studio Shaft. Akiyuki Simbo (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Nisekoi) is serving as chief director.

Ōne's script will add modern elements to Iwai's original story. The film is set on one day during summer vacation. It follows a group of boys who try to view a fireworks display from the town lighthouse to see if they look round or flat when viewed from the side. Meanwhile, one of the boys, Norimichi, receives an invitation from his crush Nazuna to run away with her.

The anime film stars Suzu Hirose (The Boy and The Beast, live-action Chihayafuru) as Nazuna, Masaki Suda (live-action Princess Jellyfish, Gintama) as Norimichi, and Mamoru Miyano (Steins;Gate, Chihayafuru, Yuri!!! on Ice) as Yūsuke.

The original 45-minute television drama premiered in Japan in August 1993 as part of the If: Moshimo series, and it won Iwai the New Directors Award from the Directors Guild of Japan that year. The film starred Megumi Okina and Yūta Yamazaki.

Iwai wrote, directed, and composed the music for The Case of Hana & Alice, his first-feature length anime film and prequel to his earlier live-action film Hana & Alice. The film debuted in February 2015.

Update on March 23: Added in official English title as listed on flyer at AnimeJapan 2017.

Source: Eiga.com via Kevin Cirugeda


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