The film production and distribution company Shochiku recently showcased a new trailer for the animated movie “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” through its official YouTube channel. This new video, approximately one minute long, is narrated by TV personality and film critic LiliCo, who provides an introduction to the film’s story and its main characters. As scheduled, this adaptation of the novel written by Yoshiko Shikimura is set to premiere in Japanese cinemas on October 25th this year.
The direction of this project, for MOE and REIRS studios, is in the hands of Yūhei Sakuragi (Ingress the Animation, Even If the World Ends Tomorrow), who also writes the screenplay alongside Keiichirō Ōchi (Under Ninja, The Quintessential Quintuplets). On the other hand, character design is managed by Asako Nishida (Vampire Knight, Where Does the End Weekend Train Go?). Regarding the voice cast, below we can see five of its members, along with the designs of the characters they portray.
Voice Cast
Sora Amamiya as Etsuko Murakami
Miku Itō as Hime Saeki
Rie Takahashi as Rina Takahashi
Akari Kitō as Taeko Hyōdō
Ikumi Hasegawa as Mayumi Imoto
The original novel “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” was published by Yoshiko Shikimura through Magazine House in 1996, winning the “Bocchan Literary Prize” for it. The work was later reissued in 2005 by Gentosha Bunko and was adapted into a live-action series the same year; this being the second live-action adaptation, as it had also received another feature film adaptation in 1998.
Synopsis
“Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” focuses on the life of Etsuko Murakami, an enthusiastic high school student who decides to join her school’s rowing team. Accompanied by her teammates Hime Saeki, Rina Takahashi, Taeko Hyōdō, and Mayumi Imoto, Etsuko discovers a deep passion for rowing, a sport that demands not only physical strength but also great coordination and dedication. The series explores how these five girls face the challenges of the sport and grow personally and collectively through their experiences on the team.
Throughout the series, the relationships among the girls develop and are tested. Hime, with her motivating nature; Rina, the calm strategist; Taeko, the tireless worker; and Mayumi, the youngest and most enthusiastic, each bring something unique to the team. While competitions provide the background plot, it is the personal interactions and challenges off the water that truly define their growth. Rowing becomes a means to explore themes such as friendship, leadership, sacrifice, and personal improvement, illustrating how the sport can positively influence the lives of young people.
The climax of the series, while not centered on a single grand event, highlights the culmination of their efforts and the development of their skills. Competitions serve as testing points and opportunities for the protagonists to demonstrate their growth not only as rowers but as individuals. “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” thus becomes an inspiring story of perseverance and self-discovery, showing that the most significant achievements often come from joint effort and dedication to a shared passion.
Personally, I think “Ganbatte Ikimasshoi” is one of those stories that has everything to captivate us from the first minute, making us empathize with its protagonists and eager to see how their story unfolds. Now please, head over to the comments and let us know your thoughts, okay? Because, you know, we’ll be reading! 😉
Images Source: Shochiku Anime Official YouTube Channel, Reddit
