New song "ベルベットの詩" has been chosen as the theme song for the movie "Akira and Akira" (releasing August 26th)! A portion of the song has been released in the latest trailer!
back number has been chosen to perform the theme song for the movie "Akira and Akira" with their newベルベットの詩"!
Also, a movie trailer featuring a snippet of "ベルベットの詩" has been released!!
"Akira and Akira" is a moving epic by Jun Ikeido, one of Japan's leading authors who has produced numerous mega-bestsellers such as "Hanzawa Naoki" and "Rikuo," about two young people burdened with contrasting destinies who confront society armed with passion and conviction. The original novel has sold over 700,000 copies and its momentum shows no signs of slowing down, leading to this long-awaited film adaptation.
Furthermore, back number 's first time providing a theme song for a film directed by Takahiro Miki since "ハッピーエンド," the theme song for "My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday" (2015).
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This piece has the power to support you from any angle, so I quickly made up my mind about the 'sound,' but I struggled greatly with the 'words.'
I write, sing, revise, sing again, crumple it up, and then face a blank sheet of paper once more.
I believe that repeating this process over and over again was crucial in order to bring "ベルベットの詩" into "Akira and Akira" as one of the characters who live while being exposed to suffering and conflict.
I continue walking with unhealed wounds, and instead of screaming instinctively at my raw, exposed "inner self," I sing hoping that it is something beautiful.
Perhaps this song was created specifically for us, as it's something we need right now.
Iyori Shimizu (back number)
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Comments from Director Takahiro Miki
This rough yet gentle song deeply moved me, reminding me of that initial impulse I had back then, when I was desperately trying to face something despite being afraid of confronting my own weaknesses.
Shimizu-kun says he can only sing about himself, but I think it's precisely because he creates songs by exposing himself in such a raw and unrefined way that they don't just offer encouragement as if they were someone else's problem, but rather become anthems that inspire each listener to rouse themselves.
I would be delighted if you could all get fired up by this song along with the movie "Akira and Akira."
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Producer Feng Nian's comment
"Akira and Akira" is a robust human drama typical of Ikeido, but it's also a rare coming-of-age story for him, featuring two young men as the protagonists.
To ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy this work, we felt that only back number, who have touched the hearts of many people of all generations and delivered moving experiences, could do it, so we asked them to create the theme song.
Like the two Akiras, I believe that life and work inevitably involve hardships, big and small. During those difficult times, I was fortunate to have a passionate and gentle song created that affirms and encourages me when I feel like giving up.
The film itself is a culmination of the efforts of the staff and cast, and features a superb theme song by back number.
I can confidently say that the combination of these two elements resulted in "the most tear-jerking work in Jun Ikeido's history."
I hope you enjoy both the movie and the theme song.
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[Movie Information]
■Title: Akira and Akira
■Original work: "Akira and Akira" (by Jun Ikeido / published by Shueisha Bunko)
■Release Date: August 26, 2022 (Friday), nationwide release by Toho.
■Cast: Ryoma Takeuchi, Ryusei Yokohama
Kaito Takahashi (King & Prince), Moka Kamishiraishi / Kazuya Kojima, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Takeya Tsukaji, Shohei Uno
Eiji Okuda, Kanji Ishimaru, Yusuke Santamaria, Yosuke Eguchi
■Director: Takahiro Miki
■Script: Natsuko Ikeda
■ Produced by: WOWOW
■Production Company: TOHO Studios
■Distributed by: Toho
■ 'Akira and Akira' Official Website