A New Dawn Anime Film's Opening Streamed

A New Dawn: Yoshitoshi Shinomiya's Feature Film Debuts in Japan

Yoshitoshi Shinomiya's highly anticipated first feature film, A New Dawn (Hana Rokushō ga Akeru Hi ni), has finally premiered in Japan after a delayed release. ASMIK Ace, the film's distributor, has released the opening sequence, offering a glimpse into Shinomiya's unique visual style and the film's captivating narrative.

Story of Tradition and Youth

A New Dawn tells the story of a struggling fireworks factory with a 330-year history facing forced eviction. The narrative focuses on the lives of young people connected to this factory, particularly Keitaro, who has isolated himself within its walls for four years in an attempt to recreate the legendary "Shuhari" firework that his father never completed. His childhood friend, Kaoru, returns to their hometown after leaving due to a past incident, and together they embark on a journey to uncover the secret of the long-lost firework.

The title, "Hana Rokushō," refers to the Paris Green pigment once used in fireworks, which plays a crucial role in the story. "Akeru" can be interpreted as either "dawn" or "daybreak," hinting at themes of hope and new beginnings.

Cast and Characters

Riku Hagiwara, known for his roles in live-action adaptations like My Beautiful Man, stars as Keitaro Tatewaki. Kotone Furukawa, who has appeared in Yu Yu Hakusho and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, plays Kaoru Shikimori. This film marks the voice acting debut for both Hagiwara and Furukawa, adding a new dimension to their performances.

The cast also includes Miyu Irino as Sentaro Tatewaki, Keitaro's older brother and Kaoru's childhood friend, and Takashi Okabe, who makes his voice acting debut as Eitaro Tatewaki, Keitaro's missing father.

Production Team

Yoshitoshi Shinomiya not only directed A New Dawn but also conceived the story and wrote the script. Utsushita, known for their character designs in Heavenly Delusion, designed the characters for the film. Akiko Majima, an artist known for her work on Suzume, served as an artist for the project. Shuta Hasunuma composed the music.

A New Dawn is a joint production between ASMIK Ace and the French studio Miyu Productions, known for Ghost Cat Anzu. imase performs the film's theme song, "Aoba" (Green Leaves).

International Recognition

Prior to its Japanese release, A New Dawn had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, where it screened in competition. The film was also showcased at the Annecy International Film Festival's "Animation Day" in May 2024, with Shinomiya introducing the work and presenting a making-of video.

Yoshitoshi Shinomiya's Background

Yoshitoshi Shinomiya is a respected figure in the animation industry. He gained recognition for his poster art for Makoto Shinkai's The Garden of Words and contributed background art to that film as well as your name. and Children Who Chase Lost Voices. He also worked on background art for Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin and Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.

Shinomiya served as a unit director on your name. and directed its flashback sequence. He also provided art for Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. In 2018, he helmed a collaborative project that included a short anime focusing on the history of Shibuya Crossing.

A Promising Debut

A New Dawn represents a significant step in Yoshitoshi Shinomiya's career, marking his transition from background artist and unit director to feature film director. With its captivating story, talented cast, and stunning visuals, A New Dawn is poised to make a lasting impression on audiences.