by The short drama “Aria’s Guardian: We Want to Be Someone,” starring Yudai Toyoda, will be available exclusively on the video streaming service Lemino starting at noon on August 29th. The series is a hybrid blend of live-action and animation. Saori Hayami voices the heroine. Watch the trailer for “Aria’s Guardian: We Want to Be Someone” here.
The story centers on Gin, a young man who has lost confidence after a failed job hunt. When he writes in his diary that he “wants to die,” a mysterious entity known as the “Aria’s Guardian” is summoned. Having been playing a false identity, Gin begins to confront his “true self” through his encounter with the Guardian and reunions with former lovers and friends. Toyoda plays Gin, who faces past trauma, while Hayami plays Fukase Yoru, the “Aria’s Guardian.”
The heroine’s companion, OtOchan, is voiced by Nazuka Kaori, known for her role as Uta in “ONE PIECE FILM RED,” and members of the idol group iLiFE! Provide the voices. Tsubokura Yoshiyuki (Wagaya) plays the convenience store manager where Gin works. The original story is by Seta, who also wrote “Manga Artist, Hori Mamoru,” with character design by Kurumitsu, who has illustrated Pokémon cards and other items.
Matsuura Shohei directs the film. A trailer is currently available on YouTube. Toyoda commented, “I think this is a work that will help those who are currently unsure of their choices to return to a place that is important to them.” Hayami commented, “I acted with the hope of sensing Gin’s clumsy feelings and giving him a push. It’s a heartwarming story that also combines live-action and animation. Please look forward to it!” Messages from Nazuka, Tsubokura, Seta, and Matsuura are included later in this article. “Aria’s Guardian: We Want to Be Someone” consists of six episodes. Episodes 1 and 2 are available for free streaming, and episodes three and beyond can be viewed on Lemino Premium.
Toyoda Yudai: When choosing your life, I believe true life lies beyond things like social status and appearances. Whether you’re someone who aspires to become someone or someone who is currently unsure of a choice, this work will bring you back to an important place. I hope you’ll take a look. Hayami Saori: Fukase Yo is a mysterious being who appears before Gin in two dimensions as Aria’s Guardian. I played the role, hoping to sense Gin’s clumsy feelings and give him a push.
This heartwarming story also features a noteworthy blend of live-action and animation. Stay tuned! Nazuka Kaori: I don’t often have the opportunity to play a mascot-like character, so this was a fresh experience for me, and I was thrilled. I hope everyone will fall in love with the cute yet strong-willed “OtOchan”… and enjoy the show. Comment from Tsubokura Yoshiyuki: I met the director and my co-stars for the first time on set, but they were all young and talented, so I was really inspired and had a lot of fun. I hope many people will see this film.
Comment from Seta: I had an imaginary friend since I was a child. She appeared when I was a teenager and stayed with me until I turned 30. When she disappeared, I wondered why she appeared and why she disappeared. I soon found the reason. I had no one to talk to.
I was called eccentric since I was a child. Due to family circumstances, there were times when I couldn’t do the same things as everyone else at school. It took a long time for me to start thinking of these things as part of my personality, and during that time, both sad and happy things happened every day, without waiting. At times like those, having her there saved the words inside me. Now, I’ve finally been able to accept myself and build self-esteem. And then I lost her.
Which was the better outcome? Well, for her sake, let’s say it was the former. Do you have any real friends? What actual words do you have? The world of social media is currently flooded with words in volumes unimaginable when I was a child. Seeing these words, like a bottomless torrent, makes me freeze in fear. What about you? I created this story to explore how we can confront our true feelings in this era when it’s difficult to speak our minds.
There’s no correct answer. However, no matter how much we try to hide our true feelings, they are always closest to our hearts. This work will help you listen to those feelings. This story, featuring “Yoru,” a 2D character, and “Gin,” a real-life character, conveys the message that “there is surely someone out there who understands you.”
Comment from Shohei Matsuura: The theme of this work is the desire to “become someone,” a major worry and desire faced by young people. This desire is especially compelling for young people living in modern society, and the protagonist, Gin, is deeply influenced by it. In the story, a two-dimensional character called “Aria’s Guardian” appears, and upon meeting this being, Gin’s inner self begins to change little by little. We hope that viewers will be able to sense how Gin’s “personality” fluctuates and changes.
