Anticipated Anime Film 'Guardians of the Green Tree' Unveils Main Trailer and Stills

The 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 press stills.

Set to premiere in theaters on March 18, 'Guardians of the Green Tree' has unveiled a captivating main trailer and 15 press stills. The film, adapted from Keigo Higashino's mystery fantasy novel, explores the hidden powers of a wish-granting green tree and the secrets of its nocturnal visitors, as pursued by its guardian.

The newly released trailer teases the legend of the green tree, which is said to grant wishes, sparking curiosity. 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 assigns him 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, leading her to follow him. The intertwined stories of these characters heighten anticipation for the film. The trailer's intriguing lines, "It's a lie that wishes come true," and "Is the tree bringing miracles or disasters?" further pique interest in the tree's hidden secrets.

The press stills showcase 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 encountering various incidents as a guardian. Another still features Reito's aunt Chifune, who unexpectedly assigns him the guardian role. As a key figure in the Yanagisawa Group, Chifune guides Reito with both kindness and strictness. A still showing Reito flipping a coin to decide whether to accept the guardian role reveals his tendency to leave important life choices to chance. Additional stills of Reito and Chifune together raise questions about the challenges they will face 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 curiosity about its secrets. Other stills depict a field in full bloom, a forest bathed in purple twilight, glowing fireflies, and Reito in a dreamlike setting, promising the film's beautiful and delicate visuals. The film's art direction by Hiroshi Takiguchi, known for his work on Makoto Shinkai's films like 'Your Name' and 'Weathering with You', enhances expectations with its meticulous and emotional artistry. Additionally, a still of Reito lighting a candle inside the tree with closed eyes hints at the mysterious secrets of the green tree, blending desires 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, heightening anticipation for 'Guardians of the Green Tree'.

'Guardians of the Green Tree' is set to release on March 18.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr