Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission!
On March 21, the official website for the theatrical anime Ganbatte Ikimasshoi! was launched! It’s already generating a lot of buzz, so you may have heard about it.
The original novel Ganbatte Ikimasshoi! (which I’ll refer to as the “Anime Version” from here) won the 4th Botchan Literary Award hosted by Matsuyama City in 1995. Since then, the story has taken on a life of its own—first as a live-action film in 1998, then as a TV drama in 2005, and now, finally, as an anime film in 2024!
Seeing a story evolve from a novel to a live-action film, a TV drama, and now an anime is pretty rare. It’s a testament to the timeless themes and emotional depth of the original work, which continue to resonate with audiences across generations.
Each adaptation has taken some creative liberties with the setting:
・Original Novel → Matsuyama Higashi High School
・1998 Film → Iyo Higashi High School
・2005 TV Drama → Matsuyama Daiichi High School
・2024 Anime → Mitsu Higashi High School
The Ehime Film Commission was involved in supporting the filming of the TV drama and is also assisting in the production of the upcoming anime version!
A Glimpse into the Anime
Here’s a short excerpt from the ©Ganbatte Ikimasshoi Production Committee:
“A heart-throbbing, deeply moving new youth story. The original work is the masterpiece coming-of-age novel Ganbatte Ikimasshoi (by Ryoko Shikimura), which won the Grand Prize at the 1995 Botchan Literary Award.
Set in the beautiful natural surroundings of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, the story vividly portrays the growth of a group of high school girls who devote themselves to their rowing club, capturing their emotional ups and downs realistically and touchingly. The live-action film, starring Rena Tanaka, was released in 1998 (produced by Altamira Pictures) and became a long-running hit. In 2005, it was adapted into a TV drama starring Anne Suzuki and Ryo Nishikido (produced by Kansai TV), sparking widespread empathy and emotion across Japan.
Now, the story debuts as a theatrical animation, depicted in dazzling, fresh imagery for the first time.”
We’re excited to see how the anime version brings a new dimension to this beloved story! If you’re a fan of Ganbatte Ikimasshoi!, make sure to check out the official website:
🎬 Ganbatte Ikimasshoi! Official Website
Looking forward to seeing how this latest adaptation captures the spirit of youth, friendship, and perseverance! 🚣♀️✨