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The manga “Umibe no Étranger” (by Kii Kanna and published by Shodensha), which takes place on the island off the coast of Okinawa and depicts the innocent love story between a greenhorn novelist and a young boy, had captured the hearts of many people and the theatrical anime is handled by the BL anime Label “BLUE LYNX”. Since this movie was released on Sep. 11, 2020, let’s reviews the work beforehand.

■Summary
The greenhorn novelist, Shun unexpectedly called out to the young boy, Mio at the beachside.
—“Hey, you there!”
Because of that Mio had also started to be conscious of Shun, but he has to leave the island no matter what. Mio left after saying “I want to become an adult as soon as possible”.

After three years, Mio returns to Shun. He had become slightly mature. With an innocent bright smile. When the unrequited thoughts were responded, the stopped time starts to run again…

■Staff
The work is based on the manga “Umibe no Étranger” (published by Shodensha) by Kii Kanna.
This anime adaptation is supervised by the author Kii Kanna, who is also an ex-animator, and she is also in charge of the character design.

The animation production was created with a mixture of 2D and 3D animation and is handled by the long-established studio “Studio Hibari”, who is known for “Major”, and “Monster Strike”. The director is Oohashi Akiyo, who had shown her superb skill such as “Danganronpa The Animation” as well as the animation PV for the sales commemoration of “Houseki no Kuni” Vol 1.
The drama between the characters, the beautiful nature of Okinawa, the lights, coloring, and the audio are all drawn carefully with fixation.

This work is the third work of the BL specialized anime Label “BLUE LYNX” after “Twittering Birds Never Fly: The clouds gather” and “Given the Movie”.

■Original Work’s Arts Exhibition
The movie “Umibe no Étranger”‘s Anime Art Exhibition was held on PARCO GALLERY X, Shibuya, Tokyo. (Duration: Sep. 4, 2020 ~ Sep. 14, 2020)
The exhibition has exhibited over 30 illustrations, including the setting arts, rough drawing, and 5 original illustrations drawn for this movie along with the messages from the casts & staff, the signed scripts, the storyboard drawn by the director Oohashi Akiyo, and others.
Moreover, the art exhibition’s original goods with the illustration by Kii Kanna-sensei were on sale.

■Voice Actors
The main casts will be handled by the same voice actors as the drama CD. Hashimoto Shun is voice by Murata Taishi (known for his role as Norba Shino from “Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” and Magee from “Gundam Build Divers”) while Tachibana Mio is voice by Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (known for his role as Kirito from “Sword Art Online” and Hashibira Inosuke from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”).

Murata Taishi (voice of Hashimoto Shun)

–Can you share your feelings when the theatrical anime adaptation of “Umibe no Étranger” was decided, as well as when your role was decided and when you were reading the script?

Various thoughts appear in my mind. My appreciation of continues this role from the drama CD and the expectation toward the movie. Above all, I am glad that I am able to perform the encountering scene of Mio. Both of their fates were greatly affected, while Mio is slowly becoming more mature, Shun, on the other hand, is struggling like a loser. At the very beginning when I was voicing the drama CD, this scene was impressive and made my heart throb. Even the scripts are filled with the “Étranger” of the production staff, especially the stage direction as well as the lines…! So, I wanted to respond it with all I have along with the burning obsession that is gradually growing as I wanted everyone to see it right away (haha).

–This works is supervised by Kii Kanna-sensei, who is also the character designer, and she was also greatly involved with the production. Can you tell us any highlights?

I personally like the comical expression that was illustrated by Kii Kanna sensei, so I hope it can calm everyone down. During the recording, I remember that it was quite easy in voicing the character as the transition of the character expression from serious to comical was exactly as the manga.
Above everything, the combination between Okinawa and the cat is the best. It a fusion of the spaciousness scenery of the southern island with cuteness. This is the ideal retirement life. Please watch it while thinking about Okinawa and cat.

–Please share your message to the fans who are looking forward to “Umibe no Étranger”

I would like to thank everyone who is looking forward to the movie!
This movie has a more detailed depiction of the romance between Mio and Shun. People always think about their beloved. That is common sense but I found out that…. it actually harder than I thought. Please enjoy watching the movie while letting your emotions run wild and being immersed in the gentle setting of Étranger. I believed there are surely parts were first-timers of Étranger can understand mutually. Please look forward to “Umibe no Étranger”!

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (voice of Tachibana Mio)

–Can you share your feelings when the theatrical anime adaptation of “Umibe no Étranger” was decided, as well as when your role was decided and when you were reading the script?

Even though it had been a while since the first drama CD, I still remember Murata-san mentioning that he wanted to see the animation adaptation during the talk part in the drama CD.
At first, I thought it was a joke but I believed that Murata-san is quite glad that the theatrical adaption was decided.
I am genuinely happy when I heard about my role.
However, I am actually scared since this is my first time voicing a BL role in animation.
When I was reading the script, I thought that it had ended splendidly from the start till the end. Then, my memory during the recording of the drama cd resurfaced, which helps me to enter my role easily!

–As this works is supervised by Kii Kanna-sensei, who is also the character designer, and she was also greatly involved with the production. Can you tell us any highlights?

I was thinking about how to express the sadness of the Mio as the story contains the emotional period of the lonely Mio, but the art has helped me to express it without being too immersed in it. It as if I was drawn in by the beautiful art!
Feeling such as “I want to go to this world at least once!”, “I want to travel to there!”, “I want to go to the beach!”, and “Mugii!” appears inside of me (haha).
I think everyone will get immersed in it as well, so do enjoy the world of Étranger.

–Please share your message to the fans who are looking forward to “Umibe no Étranger”

I had done my best already. I hope that it will leave an impression inside everyone’s heart.
Actually, this is a work that will cause various thoughts to appear, such as it was great after it had ended, it was beautiful, and it was quite sad.
Please enjoy it while experience various feelings as it will make you think. Please do look forward to it.

■Main Trailer
Preview

Main Theme Song’s Anime PV
The theme song for the movie “Umibe no Étranger”, called “Zokkon” is written by MONO NO AWARE. Theirs sense of words is the finishing touch to the sentimental youth rock song.
The main trailer make use of the anime PV and it a fusion between the colorful scenes and the emotional song. It consists of various scene, including the blue sky with the blue sea, the expression of the two cute cats, the delicious foods, the troubled Shun, and Mio with a bright smile.

(C)Kii Kanna/Shodensha, Umibe no Étranger Production Committee
(C)Kii Kanna/Shodensha on BLUE comics