by The anime “Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” stars Itagaki Rikito as the protagonist and Nakamura Tomoya as his partner. We’ll introduce the film’s various highlights, including the critically acclaimed film adaptation of the original manga, the tear-jerking friendship amid the flames of war, and the character designs that bring healing to the story.
This anime depicts the Battle of Peleliu, which began on September 15, 1944, during a time when the war situation in the Pacific was already deteriorating for Japan. It tells the story of 34 soldiers who hid for two years without knowing the war’s outcome and survived until its conclusion. Itagaki Rikito plays the protagonist, Tamaru Hitoshi, a kind-hearted aspiring manga artist, and Nakamura Tomoya plays his reliable partner, Yoshiki Keisuke.
The original work is the manga of the same name by Takeda Kazuyoshi (11 volumes in total, with four spin-off volumes). Serialized in the magazine “Young Animal” (Hakusensha) from 2016 to 2021, the manga portrayed the madness of war as a daily occurrence with a charming yet compelling realism. It won the 46th Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence in 2017. Winner of the 46th Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence! The film adaptation of the unparalleled author Kazuyoshi Takeda’s “new monumental achievement in war manga based on historical facts” is based on the original manga, which consists of 11 volumes and four volumes of side stories.
The story is based on the “Battle of Peleliu,” a “forgotten battle” that has rarely been discussed despite its brutality and loss of life. The battle took place over two months, beginning in September 1944, when 10,000 Japanese troops clashed with 40,000 American troops. Author Takeda interviewed war history researcher Masao Hiratsuka and conducted a personal visit to the site for thorough research. He dedicated an immense amount of time and energy to creating the work. While realistically depicting the countless casualties of battles and the onslaught of disease and starvation, the adorable illustrations of characters surviving harsh conditions are also present.
This truly unique manga work quickly garnered attention. It received rave reviews from creators and celebrities worldwide, including Yasuhisa Hara (Kingdom series) and Kengo Hanazawa (Under Ninja series), and Takeda won the Excellence Award at the 46th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. Now, this work will finally be released in theaters as an “unprecedented war animation” marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. What will this exquisite battlefield drama bring to the world? Expectations are building. Only 34 out of 10,000 survived until the end of the Battle of Peleliu Island.
The “friendship woven on a brutal battlefield” moves viewers. Tamaru Hitoshi, a kind-hearted young man aspiring to be a manga artist, and Yoshiki Keisuke, a brave and noble man. Another highlight of this work is the story of the strong friendship woven between the two central characters amid the brutal flames of war. Tamaru’s reserved and timid personality makes him unsuited for combat, but his talent as an aspiring manga artist is recognized, and he is appointed “Merit Clerk,” recording the soldiers’ accomplishments.
Meanwhile, Yoshiki is recognized for his bravery and excellent gun skills, earning him the rank of corporal first class as a reliable fighting force. Though Tamaru and Yoshiki seem opposites, they share the same desire to survive and return home, caring for their comrades, family, and hometown. As their comrades fall one after another in repeated battles with the American army, and they suffer from hunger, thirst, and infectious diseases in a harsh environment, they support each other as comrades and friends who trust and respect each other, and do their best to survive. The fragile yet warm bond between these two young men, depicted on the brutal battlefield, is sure to touch your heart.
A spectacular collaboration between two top production studios! Also noteworthy are the character designs, which are full of cuteness and surprises. Characters like Tamaru, Yoshiki, Lieutenant Shimada, and Corporal Kosugi are all three-dimensionally drawn, just like in the original work. It’s easy to imagine the heartwarming atmosphere that brings healing to the film. The original work’s charming characters, set against a heavy and tragic story, were hugely popular, and the film’s distinctive and unexpected portrayals are sure to captivate viewers.
The animation is produced by the venerable Studio Shin-Ei Animation, known for “Doraemon,” “Crayon Shin-chan,” and “Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window,” and the cutting-edge production company Fuji, known for “Teppen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” and “Dog Signal.” We hope you’ll enjoy the unique characters and their heartwarming bravery, created by this impressive team. The film “Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” will be released nationwide on December 5.
