Periryuu -Rakuen no Gerunika- Cast Itagaki Rihito & Nakamura Tomoya! Teaser Trailer Capturing Wartime Friendship Unveiled

The animated film Peleliu -Rakuen no Guernica- is set to premiere nationwide on December 5, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It has just been revealed that the kind-hearted aspiring manga artist, the protagonist Tamaru Hitoshi, will be voiced by Itagaki Rihito, while his dependable companion, Kishiki Keisuke, will be brought to life by Nakamura Tomoya. Furthermore, a special report and a compelling teaser visual have been unveiled, offering a glimpse into this historical tale of friendship amidst the flames of war.

Unveiling the Horrors and Humanity of Peleliu Island

Peleliu -Rakuen no Guernica- is an anime film that vividly portrays the “Battle of Peleliu Island,” which commenced on September 15, 1944, during the final stages of Japan’s deteriorating war situation in the Pacific War. It also shines a light on the incredible story of the 34 soldiers who, unaware of the war’s end, continued to hide for two years, ultimately surviving until the very end.

The original manga by Takeda Kazuhiro, serialized in Hakusensha’s “Young Animal,” depicts the madness of war as an everyday reality with astonishing realism, despite its charming art style. This powerful work earned an Excellence Award at the “46th Japan Manga Artists Association Award” and has been lauded by creators across various fields as a new cornerstone in war manga. Now, this landmark series is finally being adapted into a theatrical anime.

Stellar Cast Brings Characters to Life

In this much-anticipated film, the role of Tamaru Hitoshi, the compassionate aspiring manga artist and protagonist, will be taken on by Itagaki Rihito. His reliable comrade, Kishiki Keisuke, will be voiced by Nakamura Tomoya. Both actors are renowned for their impressive acting skills and constant appearances in acclaimed works. They are poised to deliver a passionate performance as these young soldiers striving to survive the brutal battlefield.

A Journey to the Island of Memories

Before the voice recording sessions, lead actor Itagaki Rihito made a significant journey to Peleliu Island in Palau, the actual setting of the story. He toured the numerous war remnants scattered across the island. At times, he was left speechless by the raw, vivid traces of the past, confronting the evidence and facts of how young people at that time fought to survive, pouring this experience into his performance.

South Pacific’s beautiful island turned into a place of ceaseless battle, hunger, thirst, and infectious diseases. Young men perished one after another, their thoughts drifting to their families and their homeland. Amidst such a brutal world, Tamaru and Kishiki desperately struggle to survive. In this grueling, protracted battle where even suicide was not an option, only a mere 34 out of 10,000 soldiers survived the hellish battlefield of Peleliu Island. What did these young men think, and how did they live?

The newly released special report kicks off with the protagonist Tamaru (voiced by Itagaki Rihito) stating, “Mother, how are you? I am serving as the records officer, tasked with conveying the heroic final moments of my deceased comrades.” The sounds of gunfire echo, immersing viewers as if stepping into the fierce battle of Peleliu Island in the southwestern part of Palau in 1944. Despite the charming, chibi-style character designs, the report offers a glimpse into the raw realism of war depicted in this film.

“It’s harsh, but I’ll surely return to Japan,” Tamaru declares with a resolute voice. Following his powerful words, Kishiki Keisuke (voiced by Nakamura Tomoya) extends a hand, urging, “Let’s survive, Tamaru!” Comments have also arrived from Itagaki Rihito and Nakamura Tomoya, who portray these two soldiers as they support each other through the fires of war.

The teaser visual, meanwhile, portrays Tamaru in the jungles of Peleliu Island, diligently sketching the island’s beautiful nature in his notebook. Beside him, Kishiki joyfully converses with him. Surrounding the two are scarred Zero fighter planes and tanks, remnants still present on Peleliu Island today. The visual hints at a fleeting moment of respite for the two comrades amidst the relentless battles of a harsh war zone.

The anime film Peleliu -Rakuen no Guernica- will be released nationwide on December 5, 2025. This historically based story arrives at the significant 80th anniversary of the war’s end. What did these young soldiers witness on the brutal battlefield of Peleliu Island, where only 34 out of 10,000 survived? Stay tuned for further updates on this powerful cinematic experience.

Comments from the Cast

Itagaki Rihito

Being involved in this work and breathing life into the role of Tamaru Hitoshi in this milestone year, the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, fills me with immense meaning and responsibility.
Tamaru is the “records officer,” tasked with chronicling the final moments of his comrades for their bereaved families.
The cruelty of documenting the deaths of companions with whom he had just been speaking, all while uncertain of his own fate, is profound.
And yet, this brutal reality sometimes had to be embellished for the sake of families awaiting their loved ones.
I want to carefully portray Tamaru’s fierce yet delicate struggles and emotions in such circumstances.
In preparing for this role, I also visited Peleliu Island, the setting of the story.

There, I strongly felt the brutal battles that truly took place, battles that could not be fully conveyed by textbooks, television, or the internet. I realized how many people lost their lives there, each with their own profound thoughts and feelings. Among them, there must have been many young people in their twenties, similar in age to myself.
When I reflect on their youth and their lives, it doesn’t feel like someone else’s story at all.
80 years ago, in 2025, and in the years to come, the preciousness of life is equal, and its dignity is universal. I hope that by watching this film, even a little, people will feel that we must cherish this dignity ourselves.

Nakamura Tomoya

I was aware that after the Pacific War, there were Japanese soldiers who continued to hide in various places, unaware that the war had ended. However, after reading the original manga, I had never felt those days so vividly.
Furthermore, among all the works I have encountered in my life, there has never been a character for whom I so strongly wished, “Please live.”
I know that understanding begins with knowledge. And learning deepens when it is experienced firsthand.
As we reach the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, with fewer people left to share their direct experiences, I believe it is incredibly meaningful for many to feel the days on Peleliu Island through this work. What should we, who live now, feel beyond the chaos of war? Please come to the theater and experience each day of history.

© Takeda Kazuhiro・Hakusensha／2025 “Peleliu -Rakuen no Guernica-” Production Committee

《Nakase Koutarou》