Get ready to swoon! The highly anticipated anime film adaptation of ‘The Obsessed’ (known in Japan as ‘Toritsukareotoko’) is set to grace Japanese cinemas next weekend, on November 7th. To heighten the anticipation for this romantic musical, the film has just released a captivating pair of music videos for its central theme song, ‘Fanfare.’
The first video showcases the emotional ‘insert version’ of the song, titled ‘Fanfare ~Koi no Ukarete~.’ This rendition features the beautiful voices of Giuseppe, portrayed by Ae! Group’s Masaya Sano, and Pechika, voiced by talented actor and singer Moka Kamishiraishi. The second video presents a different take, performed by the acclaimed group Awesome City Club, who also composed both versions of this memorable theme.
Before its official theatrical debut, ‘The Obsessed’ enjoyed a special screening as part of the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival, which ran from October 27th to November 5th. Guiding this cinematic vision is Wataru Takahashi, celebrated for his directorial work on several ‘Crayon Shin-chan’ films. Naoyuki Miura penned the compelling screenplay, while Masatsugu Arakawa brought the characters to life through his designs. The animation magic itself comes from the renowned Shin-Ei Animation.
The film draws its inspiration from Shinji Ishii’s original novel, ‘Toritsukareotoko,’ first published by Billiken Shuppan in 2001 and later re-released by Shinchosha in 2006. The Tokyo International Film Festival beautifully summarizes the film’s heartwarming premise: ‘Giuseppe, a man of shifting passions, bounces from one obsession to another—be it singing, intricate embroidery, or even private investigation. His world shifts when he encounters Pechika, a quiet balloon seller. For the very first time, he feels a desire to settle down. As he endeavors to brighten her world, Giuseppe uncovers a profound passion truly worth holding onto.’