The Spring Sea directed by Koji Yamamura will open the Hiroshima Animation Season which will take place from August 19 – 23, 2026 in Hiroshima, Japan.

At the opening ceremony of Hiroshima Animation Season 2026 (HAS), a special live concert featuring Koji Yamamura’s animated film The Spring Sea (Haru no Umi) will be performed, combining live music, animation, and AI technology. This AI-driven visual synchronization system was jointly developed by Tokyo University of the Arts and Yamaha Corporation. Utilizing AI, the system dynamically aligns the animation’s playback with the tempo and rhythm of the live musical performance.

Opening Ceremony
August 19, 2026 | Wednesday | JMS ASTER PLAZA Grand Hall | 4:30 pm

The Spring Sea by Koji Yamamura – Japan | 2025 – 8 minutes

A scene inspired by the Seto Inland Sea is depicted in the style of a sumi-e painting, set to a violin version of the koto piece “HARU NO UMI (The Spring Sea)” by Japanese koto player and composer Miyagi Michio in 1929. (HAS 2026)

Trailer:

For more information, please visit: https://animation.hiroshimafest.org/en/