TV anime "Sonny Boy" teaser visual revealed! Shinichiro Watanabe & other splendid artists participate in the music!

The teaser visual and music artists have been announced for the original TV anime "Sonny Boy," which will begin airing on July 15, 2021 (Thursday). Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator of "Cowboy Bebop" and many other masterpieces, will participate as a music advisor.

The original TV anime "Sonny Boy" is a coming-of-age science fiction survival ensemble drama about a group of students left behind at a school drifting through another dimension. Directed and written by Shingo Natsume ("One Pan Man", etc.), with original character design by Hisashi Eguchi ("Uninhabited Planet Survive", etc.) and production by animation studio Madhouse ("Summer Wars", "DEATH NOTE", etc.).

⇒Hell or Utopia awaits... Original anime "Sonny Boy" to be broadcast in 2021! PV and comments have arrived!

⇒Click here for the list of summer anime in 2021.

The teaser visual, newly drawn by character designer Norifumi Kugai, has just arrived.

In addition, Shinichiro Watanabe, who was the general director of Shingo Natsume's TV anime "Space☆Dandy" and the creator of many other masterpieces such as "Cowboy Bebop," has joined this work as a music advisor. In the film, newly written music by gorgeous artists from Japan and abroad, such as Sunset Rollercoaster, Videotapemusic, The Natsuyasumi Band, Mitsume, Ogawa&Tokoro, Thief in the Air, Kanayori Masaru, toe, and Corniche for piano BGM, will be used to color the work. The music will color the work.

TV ANIMATION "Sonny Boy" soundtrack 1st half will be released on July 21 (Wed) and 2nd half on September 8 (Wed).
In addition, the fastest online screening of the first episode will be held on June 19 (Sat) at 20:00. The details of the distribution will be announced at a later date, so please look forward to it.

Teaser Visual

Teaser PV

Participating Artists

Shinichiro Watanabe & Artists' Comments

Music Advisor = Shinichiro Watanabe
At the request of Director Natsume, I was able to introduce several bands and artists who seemed to fit the work.
I think we ended up with quite an interesting lineup.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of work it will be, as it is likely to be a work in which his color will be in full bloom.

Sunset Rollercoaster
This was our first time to produce music for an animation, so we were very excited. It was a very abstract process, but it was a fulfilling challenge for us to go back to the music itself and hone our emotional expression. The material provided to us by the production team was excellent, and by the time we began to create, the direction was clear, allowing the band a great deal of creative freedom.
We wanted the music to convey the emotions of the characters in the play that could not be expressed in words, while at the same time integrating the musical characteristics of OCHIHIBIKI. This time, we employed one-shot instrumentation and finished recording the music all at once the same week we wrote it, and this process allowed us to express quite intuitively that emotion, which is filled with a challenging spirit that is always heading in the direction we should aim for in the story. Life is interesting at the very moment when we are on the steep road to the mountaintop, and that landscape is what makes it beautiful and mysterious.
I am very honored to be a part of this film. It was very impressive to experience the professionalism and passion of the Japanese animation community through this work. It is a story of growth, self-realization, and trust in one's peers, which I think is the same thing that keeps a band together. I hope you all like it.

--PROFILE
Formed in Taipei in 2009. Released the album "Bossa Nova" in 2011 and performed at SUMMER SONIC that year. After a hiatus of several years, they released E.P "JINJI KIKKO" in 2016, which is described as the one and only urban, psychedelic, and mellow Rakkaichi Bisha-like Asian oriental rock (AOR). In 2018, the band released their 2nd album "CASSA NOVA", their masterpiece expressing a mature and overwhelming worldview, and in 2019, they performed at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL. In 2020, the band will release their latest album "Soft Storm", which includes a collaboration with OHHYUK, the vocalist of the popular Korean band HYUKOH, and many other notable new songs that have become the talk of the town.

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC
I am very honored to be able to participate in "Sonny Boy" with my music.
It brought back the feeling of my teenage summers, when I was running fast with an uncontrollable and unknowable energy.
I wanted to create a song full of physical energy that would amplify the vibrancy of the work and its characters.
I imagined a raging summer storm, an unruly cat, or a giant plant beyond human understanding.
I asked Izumi Matsui on percussion and Yuichi Ushioda on guitar, who are also members of my live band, to go wild. The tension of the songs is about 50% higher than usual, as if pulled by the story!
I am sure that every episode will be worth watching, including the intertwining of images and music, since many of my other favorite (and not so simple) musicians are participating. I am looking forward to the release of the film myself. Let's enjoy it together!

--PROFILE
#1
Musician and video director. He produces video and music at the same time by sampling various videotapes from the past, present, and future, such as VHS collected at recycle stores and closed rental video stores in local cities, and home videos forgotten in a corner of his parents' house. In recent years, he has been creating music using field recordings made in various locations and collaborating with artists in Japan and abroad.
In addition to performing live using VHS video and pianica, he also works extensively in music video production, VJing, and DJing. As a video director, he has produced videos for various artists such as cero, CRAZY KEN BAND, and Shintaro Sakamoto. He creates exotic dance music with a unique mood, sometimes hot, sometimes mellow, making full use of images and sounds.
From Kakubarism, he released his long-selling 2nd album "Night Around the World" in 2015, his 3rd album "ON THE AIR" in 2017, and his first song album "The Secret Life Of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC and more. His latest release is a 7inch&Digital single "Funny Meal" which was released in June 2021.
Many other works have been released from labels in Japan and abroad.

■The Natsuyasumi Band
It was one of my dreams to produce music for an anime, so I was very excited!
The fact that the episode I was in charge of was a baseball episode was also one of the things that made me excited, as I was a former cheerleader for the Chunichi Dragons!
When I am alone, my brain always escapes to another world, so it did not take me long to understand the world of "Sonny Boy.
It didn't take me long to understand the world of "Sonny Boy," a baseball game that takes place on an island that looks like Oceanic 815 crashed there.
The other team is a monkey, so I immediately pulled my SNES out of the closet and played Super Donkey Kong Jr.
Between the mound and the batter's box, there must be a world that we can't see.
Replacing the trumpets and drum kodama in the outfield bleachers with the roar of the jungle and the beat of the Polynesian drum was actually a difficult task. But I found the answer when I arrived at a deserted island.
I also wanted to show the enthusiasm and youth swirling in a short battle in a danceable, yet playful way.
I am proud to say that we were able to achieve this, even if only a little, after exchanging detailed adjustments to the scale!
In this anime, each song is created for each episode by a variety of artists. And in an environment where the artists have an extremely high degree of freedom.
It is a very gratifying and rewarding experience for us, and what would we call it if we did not call the fact that the "sensibility" of the musicians is reflected as a part of the work and becomes blood and meat of the work a true "creativity"?
I also believe that this is how "creating a work of art" should be done in the first place.
I would like to see the completed work with respect for the enthusiasm and understanding of the production team.
Let's all enjoy "Sonny Boy" together!
(MC.sirafu)

It has been my dream for many years to make music for an anime, so I was very happy.
The script was very interesting and I read it with a lot of enthusiasm. When I finished reading the script, I felt very happy to be able to compose music for a scene in this work.
I felt the kindness that I felt when I had a meeting with the director, which was quietly burning from the inside, and I wanted to take good care of it in the making of the film.
I read the script many times and tried to slowly pick up the sounds that seeped out of the story.
The song I composed was linked to something I was feeling stuck in my mind at the time, and I felt as if the song I composed was unraveling, so I was almost in tears while composing it.
I wanted to make it a grand song like a movie, so I asked all the supporting musicians I trusted to play along with me.
I am sure it will touch many people's hearts.
I felt an irresistible rush of feelings of discomfort, fear, hope, and many other emotions that I had felt in my junior high school days long ago, which I don't remember much anymore.
Please watch it! I am looking forward to seeing it.
(Risa Nakagawa)

--PROFILE
#1
MC.sirafu：steelpan,trumpet etc.
Risa Nakagawa：vocal,piano
Jun Takagi: bass
Mizuki Murano: drums
Formed in April 2008 with the belief that "Every day should be a summer vacation! The band was formed in April 2008 with the belief that "every day should be a summer vacation!
The ensemble, which includes piano, bass, drums, steelpan, trumpet, and other instruments, produces a unique, strangely addictive sound.
In 2012, they released their first album "TNB! Although it was self-produced, it sold well and continues to sell well, attracting new fans.
After that, they released 2ndAlbum "Parade" in 2015, 3rdAlbum "PHATASIA" in 2016, and 4thAlbum "Image" in 2018.
In 2019, he will release the first installment of his travel trilogy, MIniAlbum "Terminal".
NHK's "Help! Kiamebito" (2015), and also produced 4 collaborative songs for NHK E-television's "Shakine! NHK E-television's "Shakin!
NHK E-television's "Shakin!
He has also provided and produced songs for artists such as "D.I.Y.: Dokodemo Doko ni Aru yo" (2015), "Speed Songs" (2016), "Timing" (2018), and "Nesshi-naru Nai" (2020).
Negicco "Nostalgia" (2018), Yanaginagi "Special Pack!" (2020)

■Mitsume
I have been thinking more strongly after 10 years since the formation of Mitsume that I would like to produce music that accompanies a story, and as someone who loves and reads science fiction, the offer to produce music for Sonny Boy was a very happy coincidence.
My grandfather wrote Nagara and read "Nagayoshi," so when I saw the name Nagara in the material, I felt a connection. It was the first time for us as a band to be asked to read a script and make music for a scene, but since we were asked to make music as we wanted, the three songs we participated in all turned out to have the same Mitsume feel as usual. In the process of making the music, the script became a storyboard, and the voices of the voice actors were added to the rough edited video, and as I watched it being created, I was very happy to feel that I was a part of the production! I was so happy to be a part of it and to be able to work with them. And when we saw the trailer that was finally released, we were all very excited. I am looking forward to the broadcast of the finished product, which I have not seen yet. Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity!
(Motoi Kawabe)

--PROFILE
#1
Formed in Tokyo in 2009, the four-piece band released their album "VI" in March 2021.
Released the album "VI" in March 2021.
In addition to Japan, the band has toured overseas to Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, and the U.S., and is expanding its activities.
Although the band is orthodox in composition, each member continues to release music freely without being restricted to his or her own part.
We challenge various things according to our mood at the time.

Ogawa&Tokoro
We never imagined that we would be asked to participate in this project, but we had always wanted to try our hand at creating music for a visual work, so we were very happy when we were chosen.
The story and the characters are very unique, and I thought it was interesting that eight different artists were chosen to write the music for the film. I am honored to be a part of such a spirited production.
As this was my first experience, I made a conscious effort to spend time developing an image of the music to be produced. In addition to checking the script and other materials, I also listened to some of my favorite music from plays and video games, and worked out an image of the music I wanted to create. With this shared image in mind, we prepared several demos for each other and worked together on them. The story is mysterious, the characters have unique personalities, and the music is composed by a different artist each time. I don't think I've seen anything like this before. I can't wait to see it.

--PROFILE
A home recording unit of two university students in Nagoya. They are the presidents of the cassette label "Oriental Tapes" and have released their own 1st album "Planetary Exploration", mix tapes by DJs, ambient works by overseas artists, and various other works. He has also contributed tracks to a compilation by San Francisco label Dream Chimney, and is active not only in Japan but also in a wide range of other areas. He produces electronic music influenced by funk, disco, house, R&B, Balearic, ambient, new age, etc.... His first 7inch single & digital EP "Shinmaiko" was released on August 26, 2020.

■Aerial Thief
I was very excited to be involved in making music for Sonny Boy.
When I first read the synopsis, the story seemed very magical and mysterious.
Since it was my first time making music for an anime, it was a great learning experience.
I was very excited to be involved in making music for Sonny Boy.
When I first read the synopsis, I thought it was a very magical and mysterious story.
It was my first time to make music for an animated film, so I learned a lot.
Making the song's mood fit with the scene was the biggest point in precaution.
Initially, I had some trouble understanding the general emotion of the scene, but Director Natsume explained and helped me.
Initially, I had some trouble understanding the general emotion of the scene, but Director Natsume explained and helped me understand it much clearer.
Also I tried to think from the perspective of the characters, which probably helped.
The most important thing I paid attention to was to create music that matched the mood of the scene.
At first, I had a hard time understanding the emotion of the scene, but Director Natsume explained it in a way that was easy to understand, which helped me understand it much clearer.
I also tried to think from the character's point of view, which I think helped me in creating the music.
Hello and thank you very much for watching Sonny Boy!
I myself am excited to watch Sonny Boy when it comes out!
Hello and thank you very much for watching Sonny Boy! Thank you very much for watching "Sonny Boy".
I myself am excited to watch Sonny Boy when it comes out!

--PROFILE
Mid-Air Thief is a South Korean musician who makes music on a computer.
He has made 2 albums, which were also released in Japan through the label Botanical House
Mid-Air Thief is a South Korean musician who makes music on a computer.
He has made 2 albums, which were also released in Japan through the label Botanical House.

■Kaneyori Masaru
We are very happy to have our music as an insert song in this project, as we have always loved anime.
We were also honored to be able to work with Ginko Boyz, an artist we have always admired, on the theme song.
When I read the script and materials, I was drawn in by the realism of each character's emotional movements and thoughts, as if the friction we feel living in modern society was also expressed in the world of the anime.
I read the script over and over again, and wrote the lyrics by overlapping the character's feelings with my own. We also thought together about the characters and how they would fit into the work and how we could make the song our own. I also felt that by being exposed to the story, I was able to rediscover my feelings that I had been hiding or trying to keep hidden.
And while staying close to the work, we did not forget to make the music the way we wanted it to be, and we created the sound while imagining the kind of song we would like to have flowing through our heads.
I thought the work would make me feel strong after watching it, so I was conscious of making sure the music had a core and was straightforward.
We were given the opportunity to participate in a wonderful anime.
We are happy if our music could bring a good wind to this work, even if only a little!
All the members are very much looking forward to the broadcast.

--PROFILE
#1
A 3 piece girls rock band from Osaka.
Formed in March 2014.
In October 2019, from "D.T.O.30." (DON'T TRUST OVER 30.), a joint independent label by Victor Entertainment "Getting Better Records" x "TRUST RECORDS", released Mini Al "Kakegae DON'T TRUST OVER 30." (DON'T TRUST OVER 30.).
In August 2020, they released their 2nd mini-album "Kokoro wa shashinki-naka" (My heart is in the washing machine), which is still selling long.
In April 2021, they started distributing their new song "Haru".
The song's sad lyrics, which depict a love that has ended, became a hot topic on SNS.
The band is like a diary, playing what they think, following the movements of their hearts.

Toe
When they were asked to provide music for the film, they were impressed by director Natsume's ideas and the theme of the film. I heard the director Natsume's idea, the theme of the film, and the way the music was used, and I thought it was "interesting = wonderful" and replied that I would like to participate.
I am looking forward to seeing "Sonny Boy" as a work of art, regardless of our participation in the music.
I was told that the music would be for a scene like this, but I didn't think too much about it and just composed the music in the direction of "making a good song.
I felt that it would be better to collaborate with a composer who can give meaning to what is created, rather than to create a song that is attached to the meaning of the song.
I can't say for sure since I haven't seen all of them yet, and I'm sure everyone has their own preferences, but I think it's definitely one of the works that you should see! Thanks for your time!

--PROFILE
#1
Formed in 2000 by Hirokazu Yamazumi (guitar), Takaaki Mino (guitar), Toshifumi Yamane (bass), and Takashi Kashiwagura (drums).
Although their music is mainly instrumental, their sound sources and live performances have received tremendous support, uplifting and captivating both listeners and viewers alike.
The band has toured extensively in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, and is highly regarded as a worldwide band.
The band has signed with overseas labels White Noise Records (Hong Kong) and Topshelf Records (US).
In August 2018, the band released their first EP in 3 years, "Our Lattest Number", which includes 4 new songs.
album
the book about my idle plot on a vague anxiety(2005)
For Long Tomorrow(2009)
HEAR YOU(2015)
That's Another Story(2018)
ep
songs, ideas we forgot(2003)
new sentimentality(2006)
The Future Is Now(2012)
Our Latest Number(2018)
Cornish (Composer, Pianist)

--PROFILE
Since his debut as a composer for the anime "Hitohira," his rich musical expression that accompanies the emotions of the characters and his lyrical, aggressive, and uniquely catchy melodies have been well received and he has been in charge of many popular programs. He has been working on a number of popular TV programs. The main theme song "play Heath Wind" written for TBS's "Hiruobi!" is a hidden gem that has not faded away even 10 years later, and has become widely popular among Japanese audiences.

Since January 2020, he has been in charge of the music for the anime "Wings of Twilight" (directed by Seigo Yamashita and produced by Studio Coloride) for the world's most popular video game "Pokémon: Sword Shield," which has received favorable reviews. The album "Oto-kan Episode1" released in the same month is the first project of "Art and Music" in collaboration with the world famous sculptor Junku Muto.

The album is a collaboration with world-renowned sculptor Junku Mutoh.
TV animation "Sonny Boy

＜
TOKYO MX: 24:30-25:00 from July 15 (Thu.)
KBS Kyoto: 24:30-25:00 from July 15 (Thu.)
Sun TV: from July 15 (Thu.) 25:00-25:30
BS Asahi: From July 16 (Fri.) 23:00-23:30
RAB Aomori Broadcasting: From July 16 (Fri.) 25:56-26:26
*Broadcasting dates and times are subject to change.

<Staff> Director/Screenplay: Shin Natsume
Director/Screenplay : Shingo Natsume
Character Planning：Hisashi Eguchi
Character Design：Norifumi Kugai
Art Director：Mari Fujino (Studio Pablo)
Color Designer：Ken Hashimoto
Director of Photography: Akane Fusehara
Editing: Yoshiko Kimura
Sound Director: Shoji Hata
Animation Production: Madhouse

Theme Song: Ginko BOYZ "Shonen Shoujo"

＜Cast＞
Nagara: Aoi Ichikawa
Nozomi: Saori Onishi
Mizuho: Aoi Yuki
Asakaze: Chiaki Kobayashi

<Story
August 16th, halfway through the long, long summer vacation. The third-year junior high school students, Nagara and the others, who had gathered at school, were suddenly caught in an unexpected situation. Not only Nagara herself, but also a mysterious transfer student Nozomi, Mizuho, Asakaze, and 36 other classmates drifted away from the school into another dimension.
They also acquired various "abilities" as they drifted away. Some are overjoyed by their abilities beyond human knowledge and run amok, others try to lead the other students as leaders, and still others desperately search for a way to return to their own world.
Some are spiraling distrust, uncontrollable jealousy, and conflicts stemming from a desire for control. The boys and girls are suddenly thrown into a life of survival in the face of one unexplainable situation after another. Will Nagara and his friends be able to conquer this world and return safely to their original world? ......

Official website: sonny-boy.net Official Twitter: @sonnyboy_anime

©Sonny Boy committee