Toho Animation started streaming a brand-new teaser for the upcoming anime film adaptation of Shinichi Ishizuka’s jazz manga Blue Giant. The trailer showcases the musicians who will be participating in the anime film. The film will open nationwide across Japan on February 17, 2023.
Out of the musical staff, the piano performance will be by no other than Hiromi Uehara, a world-renowned pianist. She will also do the performance for the piano scene featuring Yukinori Sawabe, the pianist that the protagonist Dai Miyamoto meets in Tokyo.
Speaking of Dai, his saxophone playing cutscenes will all be played by Tomoaki Baba and the drums for Shunji Tamada, Dai’s colleague at school, will be played by Millenium Parade drummer Shun Ishiwaka. Now there’s a formidable trio of musicians!
The story of Blue Giant centers on Miyamoto Dai, a student with a taste for basketball. However, his life changes when he sees a live jazz performance for the first time. The incredible music strikes a chord deep inside him, and he immediately decides to dedicate himself to the saxophone. He has no skills, no formal training, and no idea what he’s up against, but his obsession drives him to play that instrument day after day. Will passion be enough to become the player of his dreams?
▍Blue Giant Anime Film Staff & Production
Original story by Shinichi Ishizuka (serialized in Shogakukan’s Big Comic)
Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa
Screenplay: NUMBER 8
Animation Production: NUT
Distributor: Toho Film Division