‘Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll’ will be broadcast on ‘Friday Roadshow’ on November 5th, 2021. In commemoration of the first terrestrial broadcast of the movie, Yui Ishikawa, who plays Violet, released a comment. ‘Violet Evergarden’ is an anime work by Kyoto Animation that is highly appreciated as a “touching masterpiece.” The edited edition of the TV series was broadcast last week, and it became the top trending topic on Twitter. Some other related words also ranked in the trending topics. This week, ‘Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll’ will have its first terrestrial broadcast. This work was released in theatres in 2019 as a “Gaiden (side story)” of the TV series. The story centers around Violet, who has grown up as an auto memory doll, getting employed by her new client Isabella as her tutor. Isabella studies in a strict all-girls academy where only girls from decent and respectable families could attend. As the two become close, Violet realizes that Isabella has a younger daughter that she has parted with for life and decides to connect the sisters’ hearts. Ahead of the broadcast, Ishikawa commented that “Even if you have not seen the TV series before, I am sure that you can enjoy watching this story. I find something new every time I watch it, and I realize how the production team put a lot of effort into the details. I hope this anime, which the team has put their heart and soul into, will be seen and loved by many people. I would like you to make this anime eternal.” The Gaiden is a must-see for longtime fans, but those who have not yet watched the TV series could also enjoy it as an independent work. The uncut version of ‘Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll’ will be on-air on “Friday Roadshow” on November 5th, 2021. Q. Is there anything you tried to play differently between the TV series and the movie? As the movie shows three years, I tried to express the growth of Violet naturally so that fans can see her growing up constantly since the TV series. Also, as Violet plays the role of a prince or a knight for Isabella in the first part, I tried to make her look more determined and majestic. Q. What is your favorite scene or line in the movie? In the scene where Isabella’s younger sister sends a letter to Isabella, whom she has sadly lost contact with for life, Violet says, “May God bless that her feelings be heard.” It overlaps with my wish of making this story be heard. Also, Isabelle’s younger sister had such beautiful eyes when she looked at her beloved sister from a distance. I feel that her eyes filled with tears reflect her strong resolution for the future. This scene tells that the sisters have an eternal bond no matter if they are apart from each other. Q. Please give a message to the fans. I am surprised and delighted at the same time to hear that we are receiving huge public responses even before the broadcast. ‘Violet Evergarden’ became gradually popular through the reviews and comments from the supporters. I feel that this resulted from many people’s passion for spreading this work around the world. Even if you have not seen the TV series before, I am sure that you can enjoy watching the movie. I find something new every time I watch it, and I realize how the production team put a lot of effort into the details. I hope this anime, which the team has put their heart and soul into, will be seen and loved by many people. I would like you to make this anime eternal. “May God bless that this story be heard.” (C) Kana Akatsuki・Kyoto Animation/ Violet Evergarden Production Committee

The second part of "Free! The Movie -the Final Stroke-," a completely new installment of the "Free!" anime series, has been having a long run since April 22. As of July 4, after 11 weeks of release, the box office has exceeded 910 million yen for more than 625,000 tickets sold. "Free!" is a popular anime series that began with the TV anime "Free!" which began airing in July 2013. It depicts Nanase Haruka, who has a special passion for swimming, forming irreplaceable bonds with his friends through swimming, and overcoming various feelings and conflicts as he grows from childhood to junior high school, high school, and college. The first part was released in September 2021, and the second part, which is currently being screened, will be the final chapter. A 4D version of the film is also being screened at some theaters. You can enjoy the second part of "Free! The Movie - the Final Stroke-" in a more enhanced way, including a water-splash effect produced under the supervision of the staff of "Free!" Please check the official website for details on the theaters. In addition, at the blockbuster thank-you speech held on June 30, it was announced that a 10th anniversary event will be held in 2023, and a special PV was also unveiled. Please look forward to hearing more details about the event on the official website at a later date. (c) Oji Koji, Kyoto Animation/Iwatobimachi Supporters' Association 2021