Synopsis
Youjirou Arai, recognized for helming Typhoon Noruda and handling character design in Penguin Highway, created a short anime film for the Kagome juice brand's "GO!ME." project. Called Natsu no Niwa (Summer Garden), this represents the debut independent work of Arai's newly formed studio, FILMONY. This three-minute film incorporates the track "HEY HEY HO" by ENJOY MUSIC CLUB, featuring vocals from Sachie Hiraga. The story unfolds in a city where everyday life is thrown into disarray after a young girl named Mea discovers a toy animal that possesses a strange ability. The GO!ME initiative is designed to back "youth who are forging their own paths." Its first video highlighted collaborations involving dancers, musicians, tech innovators, and animation artists.
