The latest animated short film from Comics Wave Film, known for ``Your Name.'' and ``Suzume no Doorjimari,'' is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 21st. At the same time, the synopsis, staff, teaser poster visual, and special video were released.
``Shiranuhi'' is set in late summer 1996. Minato, a 10-year-old boy living in a seaside town in Kumamoto, lives his life alone with his alcoholic father. His only spiritual source is Ben-chan, a girl goddess who appears on Benten Island. For Minato, spending time with his girlfriend was the only time he could regain himself, but when it was decided that he would be admitted to a children's home, the time to say goodbye to Ben-chan approaches. Minato prays to Shiranuhi, a mysterious light floating in the sea that is said to grant one wish. However, as his hatred for his father grows, his prayers turn into an irreversible "curse"... The feelings of a boy wavering between hope and despair are expressed in the original Japanese landscape colored by comic wave film.
The director is the up-and-coming Ryo Katanozaka. While working in the fresh fish section of a supermarket, Katanozaka has continued to independently produce live-action films and animation works as a freelance filmmaker. The music will be performed by Taro Umebayashi, who is known for ``Yuri!!! on ICE'', and the theme song will be performed by Ichiko Aoba. Umebayashi co-wrote and arranged Aoba's albums ``Adan no Kaze'' and ``Luminescent Creatures,'' and the two will team up again for ``Shiranuhi.''
The teaser poster visual shows the main character, Minato, running across the sea under a sky where day and night blend together. The special video starts with "Shiranuhi" swaying dreamily in the sea. Next, there is a scene in which Minato's mother wishes Shiranuhi to become a whale, and Minato, who looks at the remaining whale earrings with great care, wishes for his father to die, and is consumed by hatred and explodes with emotion. In the final scene, Minato is shown heading towards an island with dense trees as the Higurashi cries at the end of summer.
