We learned about a new original project this past November that’s set for a summer 2021 debut as part of a group of projects serving as a remembrance of the 2011 catastrophe with Hula Fulla Dance. The plans for a summer release have now been pulled as a new date is to be decided. This is likely due to a mix of factors through the pandemic and other films that were pushed back maintaining positions that are coming up as well. It’s also possible that the production simply isn’t ready as a lot of projects slowed down with people sick and other related pandemic events.
The film has Shinya Watada directing it based on the screenplay by Reiko Yoshida. Hiroko Yaguchi is working on the character designs with Bandai Namco Pictures handling the animation production.
The only cast announced at the start was Haruka Fukuhara who stars as the novice hula dancer in Iwaki city’s Spa Resort Hawaiians.
Now, the official site has updated to expand on that with the addition of Dean Fujioka as Ryota Suzukake along with Yuki Yamada as Kazuto Taira. You can see their character designs below.
Check out the official site and Twitter.
Plot Concept: The film’s story centers on Hiwa Natsunagi (played by Haruka Fukuhara), a novice at hula dancing who nevertheless takes a job as a hula dancer at the real life Spa Resort Hawaiians hotel. The film shows the relationships between her and her colleagues. The same hotel in Iwaki city, Fukushima was also the setting for the popular 2006 film Hula Girls, and Iwaki is also the setting for Gaina’s Hulaing Babies anime, also centered on hula dancing.
