Blue Giant directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa will close the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival which will take place from August 10 – 15, 2023 in Jecheon, Korea.

Dai Miyamoto arrives in Tokyo with his saxophone, dreaming of becoming the world’s best jazz player. By the riverside, he diligently hones his skills day in and day out. A fortuitous encounter with pianist Sawabe leads to the formation of JASS, a jazz band joined by fearless drummer Tamada, despite his clumsiness. Their goal is to perform at Tokyo’s top jazz club, So Blue, before their teenage years end. The original manga by Shinichi Ishizuka is hailed as the quintessential portrayal of jazz, capturing its essence without the need for actual sound. Within the work, the unique ambiance of a jazz bar is brought to life through masterful direction and artistry, impressing both jazz enthusiasts and those new to the genre. It indeed pioneered the world of music-oriented manga. Adding sound to this jazz manga gives rise to a captivating new music animation film, Blue Giant. The film Blue Giant skillfully condenses the first chapter of the original story, which spans 10 books, into a twohour masterpiece. The film forgoes extensive character backstory to enrich the narrative with music, cleverly bridging any gaps. Translating a musical manga into an animated film presents challenges, particularly in bringing the music to life. However, the top musicians involved in the project showcase their exceptional skills and embody the characters through their music. As the story progresses, the animation and music effortlessly intertwine, creating a vibrant and exhilarating experience for the audience. (Eugene KIM)

Trailer:

About the director:
In 2007, Tachikawa made his directorial debut with the final episode of the anime series Kiba. In 2012, he directed the original video animation Aratanaru Sekai. The following year, Tachikawa worked with Madhouse on the anime film Death Billiards as part of the Anime Mirai program. The film later inspired an anime series titled Death Parade, with Tachikawa returning to direct. In 2014, he served as an assistant director for Terror in Resonance. Tachikawa directed the anime adaptation of Mob Psycho 100 from 2016 to 2022. The series received multiple accolades at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, winning Best Fight Scene and Best Action for the first season, and Best Animation and Best Opening Sequence for the second season. In 2020, he directed the original anime series Deca-Dence. Tachikawa was nominated twice for Best Director for his work on Mob Psycho 100 and Deca-Dence.

For more information, please visit: https://www.jimff.org