The highly anticipated anime film 'Guardians of the Green Tree', directed by Ito Tomohiko and based on the bestselling novel by Keigo Higashino, which has sold over a million copies in Japan, has released its main trailer and a set of stills.
Set to hit theaters on March 18, 'Guardians of the Green Tree' has unveiled a captivating main trailer and 15 intriguing stills. The film is a mystery fantasy animation that follows the story of a guardian who chases the secrets of a mystical tree that grants wishes and the mysterious visitors who seek it out at night.
The newly released trailer begins with the legend of the tree, "If you wish upon it, your wish will come true," sparking curiosity about the ancient tree. It introduces characters like Reito (voiced by Fumiya Takahashi), who is saved from a predicament by his aunt Chifune (voiced by Yuki Amami), who then entrusts him with the role of the tree's guardian. The trailer also features Yumi (voiced by Asuka Saito), who becomes suspicious of her father Toshiaki's (voiced by Takao Osawa) regular visits to the tree and decides to follow him. The narrative hints at the intertwined fates of these characters, raising anticipation for the unfolding story. The trailer's intriguing lines, "It's a lie that wishes come true," and "Is the tree a miracle or a curse?" further deepen the mystery surrounding the tree.
The released stills highlight the diverse appeal of 'Guardians of the Green Tree', the first of Keigo Higashino's novels to be adapted into an animated film. One still captures Reito sitting with a calm expression, hinting at his journey from a life without dreams or goals to becoming a guardian facing various challenges. Another still shows Chifune, Reito's aunt and a key figure in the Yanagisawa Group, who teaches Reito the duties of a guardian with both kindness and strictness. A still depicting Reito flipping a coin to decide whether to accept the guardian role reveals his tendency to leave important life decisions to chance. Additionally, stills of Reito and Chifune together raise questions about the events they will encounter and whether Reito will succeed in his new role.
The majestic stills of the green tree, visited by many on nights of full and crescent moons, amplify the mystery surrounding its secrets. Other stills showcase a field of blooming flowers, a forest bathed in a purple sunset, glowing fireflies, and Reito in a dreamlike setting, promising the film's beautiful and delicate visuals. The film's art director, Hiroshi Takiguchi, known for his work on Makoto Shinkai's films like 'Your Name' and 'Weathering with You', brings meticulous and emotional artistry to the project, heightening expectations. Furthermore, a still of Reito lighting a candle inside the tree with his eyes closed hints at the tree's mystical secrets, blending the desire to remember and be remembered. Director Ito Tomohiko, influenced by working with Mamoru Hosoda of 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' and Tetsuro Araki of 'Attack on Titan', skillfully weaves fantasy elements into a realistic setting, enhancing anticipation for 'Guardians of the Green Tree'.
'Guardians of the Green Tree' is set to premiere on March 18.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr