Joe Hisaishi – Summer (Official Short Film)
[Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Hallelujah. Heat up [Music] here. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat.
https://Listen / Order Joe Hisaishi – “Summer” here: http://Hisaisih.lnk.to/summer
Originally composed as the main theme for Kikujiro (1999), Joe Hisaishi’s timeless piece “Summer” has long been cherished in Japan as the soundtrack of nostalgic summer memories. Now, this beloved masterpiece is reimagined as a short film.
Set in a high school in Nishi-Izu slated to close next spring, the story follows members of the school’s broadcasting club as they face their “final summer.” It quietly captures their everyday moments as they try to leave something behind—an imprint of youth, memory, and time.
With no spoken dialogue, the film relies solely on music, visuals, and the nuanced expressions of the cast to spark the viewer’s imagination. Complementary short-form vertical videos “Our Summer” will be released across Joe Hisaishi’s official YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok, offering deeper “answers” and alternate interpretations—creating a layered, cross-platform storytelling experience.
A companion social media project, Daily Life of Yamazaki West High School Broadcasting Club, will also launch, revealing behind-the-scenes glimpses into the real lives of the students portrayed in the film.
Director Yu Sanbonsuge – Comment
I kept wondering how to portray “the summer that lives in everyone’s hearts.” The idea of students spending their last summer at a school facing closure came to me naturally. Even if their school disappears, I wanted the air and memories of that summer to live on. Creating a visual interpretation of the universal song “Summer” was a huge pressure, but I hope the film will stay in someone’s heart—like the video the students made themselves.
Seshiru – Comment
I’m truly honored to be part of a project connected to Joe Hisaishi’s world. I play the senior student among the four high schoolers in the story. At first, I wasn’t sure how to act like a senpai, but before I knew it, I was enjoying it—and truly felt the role. I sincerely hope this beautiful “Summer” we all created together reaches the hearts of many people.
Lead Producer Soko Kidaka – Comment
My own high school was closed 20 years ago, and I remember witnessing it being torn down. That was when I first felt the deep sadness of losing a place to return to. That’s why I believe in the importance of preserving everyday moments through film. I hope this short film, along with Joe Hisaishi’s unforgettable “Summer,” gently touches someone’s heart.
https://summer-shortfilm.com/
▶︎ Credit
Yuto Shimada
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuto_shimada_/
Riko Ishida
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rk_io0328/
Rion Tsukiyama
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okomekudasai/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@okomekudasai
Jumpei Matsuzaki
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jumpei.matsuzaki/
Seshiru
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smile._.0921
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seshi_smile/
X: https://x.com/aaa_littl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@am0princess
Director of Photography: Keisuke Jojima, Yu Sanbonsuge
1st Camera Assistant: Saki Tanimura
2nd Camera Assistant: Yumeto Yoshii
Offline Edit: Arisa Kanno (T-and inc.)
Sound Mixer: Junnosuke Takada (ARK.inc)
Colorist: Saki Yokota (Imagica EMS Inc.)
Title Design: Satomi Sanbonsuge
With special thanks for location support to: Nishiizu Town, Shizuoka / Shizuoka Prefectural Matsuzaki High School / Koganezaki Park / Arari Fishing Port / Crystal Beach / Kawazuya Shokudo / Omise Stationery Shop / Heima Clothing Store / Shugetsu Confectionery / Tenno Shrine / Shoutouzan Hougenji Temple
Hair & Makeup: Yuko Tamura
Casting: Ryosuke Horikawa (HIBANA Inc.)
Special thanks to the students and staff of Matsuzaki High School, and to the entire Nishiizu community for their generous support.
Assistant Director: Hiroaki Shimizu
Production Assistant: Masataka Ozaki (pump Inc.), Tsubasa Shoji (pump Inc.)
« Daily Life of Yamazaki West High School Broadcasting Club »
Direction: Kota Ishie
« Our Summer｜Vertical Short Videos »
Direction: Tetsu Hasegawa
Content Support: Nao Hoshi
Content Production: Hina Shirahata, Hazuki Ikura, Soichiro Kusakabe
Assistant Producer: Maho Takaku
Executive Producer: Ken Fukaya
Supervisor: Kazu”OMI” Kajihara (Exciter K.K.)
Special Advisor: Yukako Yajima (Hugen Inc.)
Movie Producer: Tsumugi Ogasawara (pump Inc.)
Content Producer: Ayaka Mito
Chief Producer: Yusuke Mitomi
Lead Producer: Soko Kidaka
Director: Yu Sanbonsuge (pump Inc.)
in association with pump Inc.
produced by FUJIPCIFIC MUSIC INC.
▶︎ Information
■ Follow Joe Hisashi on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joehisaishi.official
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joe.hisaishi
X: https://x.com/official_joeh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeHisaishi.official
■ “Daily Life of Yamazaki West High School Broadcasting Club” SNS (spin-off):
YouTube: @yamanishi_nichijoe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamanishi_nichijoe
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yamanishi_nichijoe
#joehisaishi #久石譲 #Summer