The official website for the forthcoming anime film adaptation of Shinichi Ishizuka’s jazz-themed manga BLUE GIANT has posted a 95-second full trailer introducing its three main character voices – the protagonist Dai Miyamoto by Yuki Yamada (Joe Gibken/Gokai Blue in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger), Yukinori Sawabe by Shotaro Mamiya (Tetta Kisaki in Tokyo Revengers), and Shunji Tamada by Amane Okayama (Wei Ping in Kingdom 2: Far and Away). 

As reported, world-renowned Grammy Award-winning pianist Hiromi Uehara is in charge of the film’s music, including the original tunes for the trio “JASS” formed by the main characters in the story. She also plays the piano for Yukinori Sawabe, a pianist whom the protagonist, Dai Miyamoto, meets in Tokyo. Tomoaki Baba plays the saxophone for Dai, who aspires to become the world’s best jazz player. Shun Ishikawa plays drums for Shunji Tamada, a high school classmate of Dai from Sendai. 

The film, directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100), is set to be released in Japan on February 17, 2023. Animation production is handled by NUT (DECA-DENCE). It was originally scheduled for release in 2022, but the production period has been extended to express the world of the film better.

The manga has been serialized in Shogakukan’s Big Comic since May 2013. Following the first arc BLUE GIANT set in Japan (May 2013 – August 2016) and the second arc BLUE GIANT Supreme set in Europe (September 2016 – April 2020), its story has entered the third arc BLUE GIANT Explorer set in the United States since May 2020. A total of 28 tankobon volumes have been released in Japan and over 9 million copies have been printed so far.

Its English editions have been published by Seven Seas Entertainment since November 2020. The publisher describes its synopsis:

Dai lived a normal high school life in Sendai: a city of hot summer days and rainy nights. Between basketball, part time jobs, and an uncertain future, something was missing. And that thing was music. With his days in senior year running out, Dai swears a heartfelt vow: “I’m gonna be the best jazz player in the world.” But what do you need to be the best? Talent? Effort? A lucky break? Or maybe just a deep, pure love for music, and too much stubbornness to know when to quit.

Source: “BLUE GIANT” anime film official website / Twitter

©2022 “BLUE GIANT THE MOVIE” Production Committee © 2013 Shinichi Ishizuka