On-Gaku: Our Sound

Synopsis

For teenagers stuck in boredom, rock 'n roll can seem like the only escape. A fearsome trio of high school delinquents—lacking any musical talent, cash, or even a complete drum kit—still decide they're fated for rock stardom, hoping to win over their sole friend Aya, dodge a rival gang, and above all, just play. Nearly every frame of the film was animated by director Kenji Iwaisawa himself, with Japanese alt-rock icon Shintaro Sakamoto lending his voice to the lead role. ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND brings its own distinctive style and vision to the Hiroyuki Oohashi manga that inspired it. Armed with perfectly timed deadpan comedy, the movie offers a fresh spin on the beloved slacker comedy formula: a low-fi buddy picture that builds to a blaring musical climax, leaving you craving an encore the moment it ends.

Background

Ongaku was produced over a period of seven years. The film won the Nelvana Grand Prize at the 2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival. It also received the Noburou Oofuji Award at the 75th Mainichi Film Awards in 2021. In the same year, the film won the Entertainment Division's grand prize at the 24th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. The film was released in a Blu-ray and DVD bundle on March 9, 2021 by Shout! Factory.