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Atomic Bomb Victims' Stories Get Anime Shorts
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
The 45-minute "Anime Daisuki Datta Anata e ~Hibakusha kara no Tegami~" (To You Whom I Loved the Anime: Letters From Atomic Bomb Victims) program will debut on NHK General in the Chūgoku region on August 2 at 7:57 p.m. The program will consist of three anime shorts and a behind-the-scenes documentary focusing on victims of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and their loved ones.
NHK's Hiroshima broadcasting office began collecting stories from atomic bombing survivors and their friends and families in 2007. The network chose three stories from the more than 2,200 it received to adapt into anime for the program. The program will include the feature 10-minute short "Yaman e no Tegami" (Letter to Yaman); the five-minute shorts "Anata ga Ite, Watashi ga Ite," and "Chichi to no Wakare"; and a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary that will feature the creators of the anime with the people who wrote the their personal stories. The anime will focus on not only the Hiroshima atomic bombing itself, but also the daily lives of the featured people before and after the incident.
Okko's Inn director of photography Michiya Katō, director Kitaro Kousaka, and art director Youichi Watanabe reunited for "Yaman e no Tegami." Katou directed the short, Kousaka served as character designer, and Watanabe was art director. Takahiro Gotō (animation director for Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens, Devil Survivor 2 The Animation) was director of photography, and Yuri Habuka (Sushi and Beyond) composed the music.
Up-and-coming anime creator Hana Ono directed "Anata ga Ite, Watashi ga Ite," and Hiroshima City University produced "Chichi to no Wakare." Kaya Kiyohara (Typhoon Noruda's Noruda) will serve as the programs host and star as the main character in "Yaman e no Tegami."
After premiering on NHK General in the Hiroshima area on August 2, "Anime Daisuki Datta Anata e ~Hibakusha kara no Tegami~" will air on NHK BS1 on August 8 at 9:00 p.m., and on NHK General throughout Japan on August 9 at 26:00 (effectively August 10 at 2:00 a.m.).
Sources: Comic Natalie, Anime! Anime! (水上美晴)
