Kenji Iwaisawa’s critically acclaimed anime film, On-Gaku: Our Sound, is set to debut a “Brush-Up Version” on September 19 at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Musashinokan theater. This enhanced edition features over 200 meticulously cleaned-up cuts personally overseen by director Iwaisawa over a span of six months. The release coincides with the opening of Iwaisawa’s new film, 100 Meters (Hyakuemu), on the same day.
What is the ‘Brush-Up’ Version?
The “Brush-Up Version” of On-Gaku: Our Sound signifies a significant visual refinement of the original film. Director Kenji Iwaisawa dedicated half a year to cleaning up more than 200 individual cuts, indicating a commitment to presenting the film in its most polished form yet. While the specific details of the “brush-up” process are not fully disclosed, it typically involves improving animation consistency, correcting minor errors, and enhancing visual clarity, without altering the core artistic style that the film is known for.
A Look Back at On-Gaku: Our Sound‘s Unique Production
On-Gaku: Our Sound is an adaptation of Hiroyuki Ohashi’s “ON-GAKU” manga. The film tells the story of a trio of bored high school delinquents who decide to form a rock band despite having no musical experience. This “lo-fi buddy film” is celebrated for its deadpan humor and unique visual style.
Director Kenji Iwaisawa’s Independent Vision
A notable aspect of On-Gaku: Our Sound‘s production is that director Kenji Iwaisawa animated almost the entire film himself, a process that took seven and a half years and involved over 40,000 hand-drawn frames. This independent approach resulted in a distinctive, sketchier, and more cartoony aesthetic that sets it apart from much mainstream anime. Iwaisawa also utilized rotoscoping, tracing over live-action footage, to create a unique hybrid animation style, especially for the dynamic musical sequences. This method was crucial for completing the film on a low budget, a common challenge in independent animation.
Critical Acclaim and Previous Releases
The film has garnered significant critical attention since its premiere. It won the Grand Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in 2019 and was an official selection at the 2020 Annecy Film Festival. GKIDS distributed the film in North American theaters in December 2020 and later released it on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in March 2021. The film also received a nomination for Best Indie Feature at the 2021 Annie Awards.
Coinciding with 100 Meters Release
The “Brush-Up Version” release of On-Gaku: Our Sound is timed to celebrate the theatrical debut of Kenji Iwaisawa’s new film, 100 Meters (Hyakuemu). This dual release highlights Iwaisawa’s continued presence in the independent animation scene and offers audiences a fresh look at his earlier acclaimed work alongside his latest project. The new version of On-Gaku: Our Sound will open at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Musashinokan theater on September 19.
