Fireworks (2017 film) explained

Fireworks
Director:Akiyuki Shinbō
Nobuyuki Takeuchi
Producer:Jūnosuke Itō
Akiko Yodo
Screenplay:Hitoshi Ōne
Starring:
Music:Satoru Kōsaki
Cinematography:Rei Egami
Takayuki Aizu
Editing:Rie Matsubara
Studio:Shaft
Distributor:Toho
Runtime:90 minutes[1]
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese
Gross:[2]

, also known as Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom? is a 2017 Japanese animated romance film based on Shunji Iwai's live-action television film of the same name. It received mixed reviews from critics who praised it for music and animation, but criticized the narrative and characterization. It is the sixth highest-grossing anime film of 2017 and has grossed over worldwide. It was also released by Madman Entertainment,[3] Anime Limited[4] and GKIDS.[5]

Plot

Norimichi Shimada and Nazuna Oikawa live in the town of Moshimo (Japanese for "if"). The students make a bet regarding whether the fireworks are either round or flat in the sky. When Nazuna finds a small glass marble, she, Norimichi and Yusuke compete in the swimming pool race. Yusuke wins and Nazuna asks him to go on a date. Nazuna packs a suitcase and plans to leave home. Yusuke bails on the date and Nazuna is taken home by her mother. Norimichi throws the marble, wishing for luck and causing it to rewind time. Back when the race occurred, Norimichi wins this time around and Nazuna asks him on a date. They head to the train station, but are caught once again by Nazuna's mother and her fiancé. Norimichi learns that the fireworks are flat and is aware he is in an alternate timeline. He wishes for another chance to escape with Nazuna. He throws the marble from a lighthouse and reverses time again. He helps her elude the family and board the train. They are caught again by the others. When Yusuke pushes the two off the balcony, Norimichi uses the marble once again, wishing for no one to see them. Time jumps back again and the train takes a different route, leaving the two in the same town encapsulated in a glass dome. After a pyrotechnician uses the marble as a leftover firework charge, it explodes in the sky. After seeing the future within the shard, Nazuna and Norimichi embrace. The next day, the school notices the absence of Nazuna and Norimichi.

Voice cast

Character
Japanese[6] English[7]
Suzu HiroseBrooklyn Nelson
A female student whose father died after the divorce. Though she does not have friends, she falls in love with Norimichi.
Masaki SudaRyan Shanahan
A male student learning that fireworks are flat.
Mamoru MiyanoAaron Dalla Villa
Norimichi's friend. He believes Nazuna is in love with him or Norimichi.
Nazuna's motherTakako MatsuJulie Ann Taylor
An unnamed family woman of the latter. She and her fiancé plan to leave town.

Production

On December 7, 2016, the film was announced with a release date of August 2017.[8] Hitoshi Ōne added modern elements of the film.[9] The cast and crew were also announced. On April 14, 2017, a second teaser trailer for the film was released.[10] A 30-second trailer, the third promotional video for the film, was released in June 2017. The film's theme song, "Uchiage Hanabi", is performed by Daoko and Kenshi Yonezu.[11] The music video has garnered more than 500 million views on YouTube, and is 1050th place on Top Viewed Videos on YouTube.[12]

Release

The film premiered in Japan on August 18, 2017,[13] and in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2017.[14] It was distributed in 110 countries and regions in July 2017.[15] Edko Films Ltd released the film in Hong Kong on October 31, 2017.[16] Madman Entertainment released the film on October 5, 2017.[17] [18] It was released in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2017.[19] Madness Entertainment released the film in Mexico on February 16, 2018.[20] GKIDS premiered the film in the United States on July 3, 2018, with the wide release on July 4, 2018.[21] To promote the release, GKIDS released the trailer and images on May 23, 2018.[22]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed from 133,000 admissions,[23] from 220,000 admissions in two days[24] and grossed a total of (US$4.2 million) within three days of the premiere across 296 theaters, ranking at No. 3.[25] [26] The film placed at No. 4 on the second weekend.[27] It stayed at No. 4 on the third weekend, where it grossed from 78,000 admissions and earned a total of ¥1.1 billion.[28] The film had grossed in Japan.[29] It grossed worldwide on 3 December 2017, including in China, Singapore, Malaysia and United Kingdom, and in other territories including Japan.[30] The film grossed $11,943,229 in China, $525,280 in North America, $46,664 in Thailand and Bolivia,[31] $191,137 in South Korea, and $91,155 in Spain and the United Kingdom,[32] for a global total of .

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 45% based on 29 reviews, with an average rating of 4.90/10. The site's critical consensus states "Fireworks seeks sparks in an ambitious blend of storytelling genres, but this misguided anime effort never truly takes flight".[33] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the film has a score 40 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[34] The film received praise before it was released from several critics and journalists. Musician Koremasa Uno lauded the voice acting and said the film "doesn't feel like a work from Iwai or Hitoshi Ōne, the scriptwriter. Rather, it feels more like the anime of the studio creating it, Shaft, and its producer, Genki Kawamura." Film writer Tatsuya Masutō wrote on his Twitter account that the "expectations surrounding the film did not disappoint, and the anime could be better than the original live-action drama." He also noted that the anime is "more than just a remake" and the "90-minute run time compared to the 50-minute original helps add to the content".[35] Kim Morrissy of Anime News Network gave the film a "B" grade and applauded the "great music and voice acting" and the "simple yet emotionally compelling plot" but criticized the film's production values and visuals that "don't really add anything to the film except to broadcast that it was made by SHAFT".[36] Mark Schilling of The Japan Times gave the film a rating of 3½ out of 5 stars and praised the film's "pure-hearted love story". Mark concluded the review by writing, "Fireworks nails it again and again—or maybe that was just me, slipping back into long-ago dreams of the perfect girl gazing into my soul, forever out of reach."[37]

Accolades

YearName of CompetitionCategoryResultRef.
201741st Japan Academy Film PrizeAnimation of the Year[38]
20193rd Crunchyroll Anime AwardsBest Film[39]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fireworks, Should We See It From the Side or the Bottom?. The Japan Times. August 19, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232809/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/films/fireworks-should-we-see-it-from-the-side-or-the-bottom/. August 19, 2017.
  2. Web site: Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom? (2017 film). The Numbers. October 21, 2020.
  3. Web site: Fireworks – Official Trailer #2. YouTube. June 2, 2018. September 27, 2017. Madman. Madman Entertainment.
  4. Web site: Fireworks. Fireworks official website. Anime Limited. June 2, 2018. In cinemas from 15th November. https://web.archive.org/web/20180901202909/http://fireworksmovie.co.uk/. September 1, 2018. dead.
  5. Web site: Fireworks: Get Tickets. GKIDS Films. June 2, 2018.
  6. Web site: Shaft, Shunji Iwai's Fireworks Anime Film Reveals 5 More Cast Members. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. June 12, 2017. Anime News Network. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617153217/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-12/shaft-shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film-reveals-5-more-cast-members/.117335. June 17, 2017. live. June 12, 2017.
  7. GKIDS Films. GKIDSfilms. 1010267946411872256. Excited to see FIREWORKS on the big screen? Check out the English Dub cast now! FIREWORKS comes into theaters in both sub and dub July 3, 5 & 7. Tickets: https://bit.ly/2x6167a #FireworksMovie. 2018-11-03.
  8. Web site: Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Drama Gets Anime Film From SHAFT. Anime News Network. December 8, 2016. December 12, 2020.
  9. Web site: 岩井俊二の傑作「打ち上げ花火、下から見るか？横から見るか？」、大根仁×新房昭之でアニメ映画化！. eiga.com. eiga.com News. December 8, 2016. ja. March 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170322085543/http://eiga.com/news/20161208/1/. March 22, 2017.
  10. Web site: Shaft's "Uchiage Hanabi/Fireworks" Film 2nd Trailer Introduces Anime Version Characters. Crunchyroll. April 14, 2017. May 28, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814144232/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/14-1/shafts-uchiage-hanabifireworks-film-2nd-trailer-introduces-anime-version-characters. August 14, 2017. Komatsu. Mikikazu.
  11. Web site: Shaft, Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film's Promo Previews Theme Song by Kenshi Yonezu, Daoko. Anime News Network. June 27, 2017. July 4, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170701165305/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-27/shaft-shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film-promo-previews-theme-song-by-kenshi-yonezu-daoko/.118107. July 1, 2017. Karen. Ressler.
  12. Web site: DAOKO × 米津玄師『打上花火』MUSIC VIDEO. DAOKO x Kenshi Yonezu "Uchiage Hanabi" Music Video. YouTube. October 26, 2017. January 8, 2021. DAOKO. daoko_jp.
  13. Web site: Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Drama Gets Anime Film From SHAFT. Anime News Network. December 7, 2016. March 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170321084435/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-07/shunji-iwai-fireworks-drama-gets-anime-film-from-shaft/.109624. March 21, 2017. Karen. Ressler.
  14. Web site: New Film Releases Scheduled in British Cinemas. Anime News Network. May 26, 2017. May 28, 2017. Crystalyn. Hodgkins.
  15. Web site: Shaft, Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film Reveals 3rd Trailer, Release in 110 Countries. Anime News Network. July 11, 2017. July 11, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170715162136/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-07-11/shaft-shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film-reveals-3rd-trailer-release-in-110-countries/.118669. July 15, 2017. Jennifer. Sherman.
  16. Web site: English-Subtitled Trailer for Shaft, Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Film Streamed. Anime News Network. July 28, 2017. July 28, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171001161957/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-07-28/english-subtitled-trailer-for-shaft-shunji-iwai-fireworks-film-streamed/.119439. October 1, 2017. Rafael Antonio. Pineda.
  17. Web site: Special Madman Announcements At SMASH 2017. Madman Entertainment. Bortignon. Tegan. August 20, 2017. August 20, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201204/https://www.madman.com.au/news/special-madman-announcements-at-smash-2017/. August 20, 2017.
  18. Madman. Madman Entertainment. Madman Entertainment. 906003012576993280. Fireworks, a new romantic fantasy from Studio Shaft, is coming to cinemas across Australia and New Zealand Oct 5th! http://fireworksfilm.com.au. September 7, 2017. April 17, 2018.
  19. Web site: Anime Limited Brings 'Fireworks' to the UK Theatrical Screens this November. Anime UK News. Normanicgrav. April 17, 2018. October 18, 2017.
  20. Web site: Luces en el Cielo, un intercambio cultural México-Japón: Elliot Gama. ONE Digital. Berruecos. Pablo. January 25, 2018. January 27, 2018. August 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180813003611/http://onedigital.mx/2018/01/25/luces-cielo-intercambio-cultural-mexico-japon-elliot-gama/. dead.
  21. Web site: GKIDS Licenses Fireworks Anime Film, Sets Summer Theatrical Release. Anime News Network. March 16, 2018. March 16, 2018. Ressler. Karen.
  22. Web site: New photos and trailer for anime fantasy Fireworks. Rene. Carson. 23 May 2018. Film Fetish. 23 May 2018.
  23. Web site: Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film Earns 170 Million Yen in 1 Day. Anime News Network. August 19, 2017. August 19, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316010240/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-19/shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film-earns-170-million-yen-in-1-day/.120329. March 16, 2018. Sherman. Jennifer.
  24. Web site: Japan Box Office: "Uchiage Hanabi/Fireworks" Delivers 295 Million Debut, Ranking 3rd. Mikikazu. Komatsu. Crunchyroll. August 22, 2017. August 22, 2017.
  25. Web site: Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film Debuts at #3 at Japanese Box Office. Anime News Network. August 21, 2017. August 21, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316010149/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-21/shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film-debuts-at-no.3-at-japanese-box-office/.120355. March 16, 2018. Hodgkins. Crystalyn.
  26. Web site: Japan Box Office: 'High & Low the Movie 2' Opens on Top. Mark. Schilling. Variety. August 22, 2017. August 23, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822120701/http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/japan-box-office-high-low-the-movie-2-top-1202535233/. August 22, 2017.
  27. Web site: 'Fireworks' Anime Film Ranks at #4 in 2nd Weekend at Japanese Box Office. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. August 28, 2017. Anime News Network. April 17, 2018.
  28. Web site: 'Fireworks' Anime Film Stays at #4 in 3rd Weekend at Japanese Box Office. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Anime News Network. April 17, 2018. September 9, 2017.
  29. Web site: 2017. Eiren. Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. 9 March 2019.
  30. Web site: Box Office: Coco Surges in China With $44 Million in Second Weekend. McNary. Dave. Variety. April 17, 2018. December 3, 2017.
  31. Web site: Fireworks (2018) - International Box Office Results. Box Office Mojo. 9 March 2019.
  32. Web site: Uchiage Hanabi, Shita Kara Miru ka? Yoko Kara Miru ka? (2017) - International. The Numbers. 9 March 2019.
  33. Web site: Fireworks (2018). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. January 21, 2024.
  34. Web site: Fireworks (2018). December 13, 2018. Metacritic.
  35. Web site: Early Reviews Praise Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film. Anime News Network. August 14, 2017. August 17, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014032110/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-08-14/early-reviews-praise-shunji-iwai-fireworks-anime-film/.119896. October 14, 2017. Sherman. Jennifer.
  36. Web site: Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?. Kim. Morrissy. Anime News Network. August 23, 2017. August 23, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828214228/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fireworks-should-we-see-it-from-the-side-or-the-bottom/.120395. August 28, 2017.
  37. News: August 23, 2017. 'Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?': Will Japan fall in love with another pair of animated teens?. Mark. Schilling. The Japan Times. August 23, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170823174409/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/08/23/films/film-reviews/fireworks-see-side-bottom-will-japan-fall-love-another-pair-animated-teens/. August 23, 2017.
  38. Web site: Fireworks, Napping Princess, More Nominated for 41st Japan Academy Prize. Anime News Network. January 15, 2018. January 16, 2018. Pineda. Rafael Antonio.
  39. Web site: Megalobox, Devilman crybaby Dominate Crunchyroll Anime Award's Nominations. Anime News Network. January 11, 2019. May 25, 2022. Loveridge. Lynzee.

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