Legendary Works of Keiko Takemiya on the Big Screen: 'Kaze to Ki no Uta' in Theaters for the First Time!

Two monumental works bearing the signature of Keiko Takemiya, one of the living legends of the manga and anime world, are preparing for an unforgettable night in Tokyo. At the special event to be held at Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas on June 28, the science fiction classic Toward the Terra (Terra e...) and the genre pioneer Kaze to Ki no Uta (The Poem of Wind and Trees) will meet audiences on the big screen. The most exciting aspect of this night is that the 1987 production Kaze to Ki no Uta will be screened in a movie theater for the first time in history.

The event will not be limited to film screenings; a true feast of nostalgia awaits fans. In the talk show to be held after the screenings, the creator of the original manga Keiko Takemiya, the director of Kaze to Ki no Uta and legendary name known from the Gundam series Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and voice actress Yuko Sasaki, who brought the character Gilbert to life, will take the stage. The gathering of these three giant names offers a unique opportunity for fans who want to witness anime history.

Keiko Takemiya is one of the most important members of the group of female mangaka known as the 'Year 24 Group' (Nijūyo-nen Gumi), which radically changed the shojo manga world in the 1970s. In particular, Kaze to Ki no Uta is accepted as the first serious example of the 'shonen-ai' genre, which focuses on love between men, and is seen as the work that laid the foundations of the 'Boys' Love' genre we know today. On the other hand, Toward the Terra proved how deep manga could go in the science fiction genre with the Seiun Award it won in 1980 and influenced generations with its epic story.

This special screening is of great importance both for veteran fans who want to experience nostalgia and for new generation viewers who are curious about the origins of the genre. Takemiya's works are among the building blocks that brought manga art to its modern form, not only with their storytelling but also with their panel designs and emotional depth. This event on June 28 represents a historic moment for the community in terms of preserving and celebrating anime heritage.