Japanese animation studios MAPPA and Contrail have collaborated to produce an animated short film titled “Kikasete Hoshii Kimi no Koto” (Tell Me About Yourself), which addresses the often-overlooked issue of “young carers” in Japan. The short began streaming on the official YouTube channel of Tokyo’s Nakano Ward on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Understanding the Plight of Young Carers
In Japan, a “young carer” is legally defined as a child or young person who provides excessive care for family members, impacting their school life and leisure activities. This can lead to social isolation and hinder their personal development. The animated short aims to raise awareness about this issue and encourage young carers to seek support.
A Collaborative Effort for Social Impact
The project is part of the Cabinet Office’s local Loneliness and Isolation Countermeasures Public-Private Partnership Platform Promotion Project, with Nakano Ward in Tokyo selected as a model organization in 2024. MAPPA and Contrail hope the short film will encourage people to talk about their situations and seek help.
Story and Characters
The short film centers on Yūma, an elementary school student, who learns about “young carers” through his friend Kenta, who takes care of his family and their household.
The cast includes:
- Hana Satō as Yūma
- Natsue Sasamoto as Kenta
- Yuki Ōminami as Yūma’s mother
- Fū Hirohara as Yūma’s big sister
The planning was a joint effort between the Nakano Ward Community Support Promotion Department and Manabu Ohtsuka of MAPPA and Contrail. Yasuyuki Kitazawa (INU-OH film key animator, Folktales from Japan storyboard, episode director) directed, wrote, storyboarded, and designed the original characters at Contrail and MAPPA. Saki Oshitani composed the music.
Exhibition at Nakano Higashi Library
An exhibition of the animated short will be held at the Nakano Higashi Library from April 26 to June 26. The exhibition will feature the short’s storyboards and character designs.
