Summer Wars Returns to Kin’yo Roadshow on August 1st! Featuring a Sneak Peek at Mamoru Hosoda’s New Film
Get ready, because Mamoru Hosoda’s beloved Studio Chizu film, Samawazu, is set to air on the Nittere network’s “Kin’yo Roadshow” on August 1st, 2025. This broadcast aligns perfectly with the annual “Summer Wars Day” celebration on August 1st, which is not only the film’s original release date back in 2009 but also the birthday of one of the story’s key figures, Sakae Obaachan. And stick around until the end, because the program’s latter half will feature the very first public footage from Director Hosoda’s highly anticipated latest work, Hateshinaki Sukaretto!
About Samawazu
Following his critically acclaimed film, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo, which won the Special Distinction Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival among other accolades both domestically and internationally, Director Hosoda took on this original science fiction story.
The tale unfolds in a society where the real world and the virtual world, known as “OZ,” coexist. Kenji, a high school student with a knack for mathematics, is one day invited by his crush, Natsuki senpai, to visit her family home. He arrives to find himself at the sprawling estate of the Jin’uchi family, a prestigious lineage with roots tracing back to the Sengoku period.
Suddenly, Kenji receives a mysterious math puzzle email on his mobile phone. Thinking nothing of it, he solves the puzzle. The next morning, a strange avatar appears in OZ, destroying the virtual world’s management system and plunging the world into chaos. With his account stolen and being framed as the culprit, Kenji, under the direction of the Jin’uchi family head, Sakae Obaachan, joins forces with the other Jin’uchi family members to confront the enemy lurking in OZ.
The Talented Cast
The protagonist, Oiso Kenji, is voiced by the highly regarded voice actor and actor, KamiKi Ryuunosuke. The heroine, Shinohara Natsuki, is voiced by actress Miyauchi Hitomi (formerly known as Sakuraba Nanami), in what was her voice acting debut. Natsuki’s great-grandmother, Jin’uchi Sakae, is voiced by veteran actress Fuji Sumiko, and the wanderer Jin’uchi Wabisuke was voiced by the recently departed actor Saitou Ayumu.
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Oiso Kenji | KamiKi Ryuunosuke |
| Shinohara Natsuki | Miyauchi Hitomi (formerly Sakuraba Nanami) |
| Jin’uchi Wabisuke | Saitou Ayumu |
| Ikezawa Kazuma | Tanimura Mitsuki |
| Jin’uchi Sakae | Fuji Sumiko |
Visionary Staff
Director Hosoda made his film directorial debut with Gekijouban Digimon Adventure (1999). After becoming a freelancer, his film Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (2006) garnered significant critical acclaim, winning the Japan Academy Prize for Excellent Animation of the Year and numerous other awards both domestically and internationally. His 2018 film, Mirai no Mirai, was the only film outside of Studio Ghibli productions to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, solidifying his reputation as one of Japan’s leading animation film directors.
The screenplay was penned by Okudera Satoko, who would later win the Japan Academy Prize for Best Screenplay for Youkame no Semi (2011). Character design was handled by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, known for the Evangelion Shin Gekijouban series. The art director was TakeShige Youji, who has worked on many Studio Ghibli films including Mononoke Hime and Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi.
| Role | Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Director / Original Story | Hosoda Mamoru |
| Screenplay | Okudera Satoko |
| Character Design | Sadamoto Yoshiyuki |
| Animation Director | Aoyama Hiroyuki |
| Art Director | TakeShige Youji |
| CG Director | Horibe Ryou |
| Color Design | Kamata Chikako |
Why Watch Samawazu?
This film is a perfect fit for summer vacation, packed with the unique charm of Hosoda’s work. It was groundbreaking for its time, depicting events unfolding in a “virtual world.” It also beautifully portrays the scenery of an old family estate in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, and delivers a heartwarming story about the importance of family bonds. This is definitely a chance you won’t want to miss to experience this masterpiece.
Preview of a New Journey
Furthermore, don’t miss the latter part of the program, as it will feature the first-ever televised footage from Director Hosoda’s latest film, Hateshinaki Sukaretto, which is set to open this winter on November 21st!
Mamoru Hosoda’s Studio Chizu film, Samawazu, airs on the Nittere network’s “Kin’yo Roadshow” on August 1st at 9:00 PM JST.
【Broadcast Date and Work Information】
August 1st (Friday) 9:00 PM – 10:54 PM JST
Samawazu (2009)
◆Director・Original Story: Hosoda Mamoru
◆Screenplay: Okudera Satoko
◆Character Design: Sadamoto Yoshiyuki
◆Animation Director: Aoyama Hiroyuki
◆Art Director: TakeShige Youji
◆CG Director: Horibe Ryou
◆Color Design: Kamata Chikako
◆Voice Cast
Oiso Kenji: KamiKi Ryuunosuke
Shinohara Natsuki: Miyauchi Hitomi (formerly Sakuraba Nanami)
Jin’uchi Wabisuke: Saitou Ayumu
Ikezawa Kazuma: Tanimura Mitsuki
Jin’uchi Sakae: Fuji Sumiko
【Upcoming Broadcast Lineup】
◆ Tonight 7:56 PM JST: Kingdom Taishougun no Kikan (*Groundbreaking first broadcast, no cuts to main story*)
◆ July 18th 9:00 PM JST: Samurai Taimu Surippaazu (*Groundbreaking first broadcast*)
◆ July 25th 9:00 PM JST: Jurassic Park
◆ August 1st 9:00 PM JST: Samawazu
(C)2009 SW F.P.
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