“Touch” is the latest original feature-length anime film from director Tatsuyuki Nagai, screenwriter Mari Okada, and character designer Masayoshi Tanaka, who are known for their “heart-wrenching” youth trilogy of “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day” (2013), “The Anthem of the Heart” (2015), and “Her Blue Sky” (2019).
Aki, Ryo, and Yuta are childhood friends who grew up on the same island. When they turned 20, they started living together in Takadanobaba, Tokyo. Although they lead different lives – one working part-time at a bar, the other selling real estate, and the other studying at a fashion design school – they were always connected at heart. This was because a strange creature called “Fureru” brought from the island connected the three of them, who have different hobbies and personalities, with a mysterious power similar to telepathy.
When they touch each other, each other’s words flow into them without them having to say a word. The friendship between the three people, connected by “Touch,” was meant to last forever. Until they discovered another hidden power of “Touch.”
The newly released trailer begins with Aki, Ryo, and Yuta as young children living on the island. The island’s folklore is about a mysterious creature called “Fureru.” Until now, Fureru’s cute, round eyes have been reported, but now it casts a large shadow over the three of them.
The setting changes, and the three have grown up and moved from the island to Tokyo, where they live together with Fureru in Takadanobaba. Connected by the power of “touch,” the friendship between the three best friends seems set to last forever, but…
In the second half of the trailer, we can see cracks appearing in the relationship between the three. When Aki says, “We became best friends thanks to touching each other,” Yuta questions in a cold voice whether they are really best friends. What
will happen to the three who gradually drift apart? And what is the true identity of the “thread” that makes an impressive appearance throughout the trailer? Anticipation is building for the story that will be enlivened by the theme song “Monotone,” written specifically for this work by YOASOBI, their first tie-up with an anime movie.
The key visual that was also unveiled shows three people and one pet smiling and relaxing on the veranda of the house they live in together. At first glance, it looks like a peaceful everyday life, but is that really the case? The visuals, which give a sense of the story’s expansion, are also worth paying attention to.
It has also been revealed that Nagase Ren, Bando Ryuta, and Maeda Kentaro will be playing the protagonist’s three childhood friends in this film. Nagase will play Onoda Aki, a boy who has difficulty communicating through words. Bando will play Sobue Ryo, a childhood friend with whom Aki connects after meeting a creature with mysterious powers called “Tureru,” and Maeda will play Inohara Yuta, another childhood friend.
All of the actors selected through auditions will be starring in their first animated film. An interview video featuring Nagase, Bando, Maeda, and director Nagai has also been released, revealing behind-the-scenes stories about the casting.
In addition to the lead cast, the main staff and supporting cast were also announced, including Shiraishi Haruka as Kamozawa Juri, Iwami Manaka as Asakawa Nana, Minagawa Sarutoki as Wakita, and Tsuda Kenjiro as Shimada Kouhei.
The original feature-length animated film “Touch.” will be released on October 4th. We look forward to hearing more information in the future.
I was extremely happy that I was able to grab the opportunity and play the role of “Aki” among so many other people who auditioned. At the same time, I was excited to see how I would go about playing “Aki” from now on. “Touching” is a work that makes you think again about the importance of communication and the connections with people in your daily life. It is a work that I would like people of all ages and generations to see, especially now. Please look forward to it.
When I auditioned, I was honestly happy because I never thought I would be chosen. It
was my first time doing voice acting, so I was excited but also anxious about whether I could do it.
The story was really interesting, and I was instantly drawn in so much that I couldn’t stop reading the script.
It’s a story that makes you think about how to connect with people and relationships. I hope to deliver the world of this story in a more powerful way.
At the end of last year, I set a goal for this year: “I want to be a voice actor for animation.”
Then, at the end of last year, I took an audition and my dream came true. I was so happy that
I was jumping up and down in my room. I’ve always loved animation, so I was fired up to audition. I was very nervous, but I think I was able to naturally relax and take on the role in a good state. We all laughed and got emotional during the dubbing, and worked hard together on this project. I hope a lot of people will watch it.
I have been asked to write the theme song for the movie “Touch.”
The song “Monotone” that I wrote this time was created while facing the “relationships between people” that I felt through the movie, and the loneliness and feelings of thinking about someone that I feel in my own life.
The world is developing day by day, and because we are in an environment where it is easy to communicate with various tools, I feel that it is important to face the loneliness that we feel because of this, so I put that feeling into the song. I hope you will enjoy it along with the movie.
Film: “Touch”
Nagase Ren, Bando Ryuta, Maeda Kentaro,
Shiraishi Haruka, Iwami Manaka, Minagawa Sarutoki, Tsuda Kenjiro Director: Nagai
Tatsuyuki
Screenplay: Okada Mari Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Tanaka Masayoshi Music: Yokoyama Masaru
Assistant Director of TeddyLoid: Moriyama Hiroyuki Prop Design: Takada Akira (the character for “taka” is pronounced “hashigo-daka”) Art Setting: Shiozawa Yoshinori, Sakakieda Toshiyuki (Art Team Convoy)
Art Director: Kogashira Yayoi Color Design: Nakajima Kazuko Director of Photography: Sakuma Yuya CG Director: Watanabe Keita (Sublimation)
Editor: Nishiyama Shigeru Sound Director: Aketagawa Jin Production: CloverWorks
YOASOBI “Monotone”
(Echoes / Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.)
Distribution: Toho Aniplex Executive Production: Aniplex STORY inc. Produced by: “Tureru.” Production Committee
(C) 2024 FURERU PROJECT
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