Winter Star

Set against the backdrop of winter, Winter Star unfolds within a classroom where the cold season outside sharply contrasts with an intense, almost stifling heat. The protagonist navigates this emotionally charged environment, carrying an inner warmth that mirrors the heated atmosphere of the room itself. Amidst this quiet tension, they unexpectedly come into possession of a star fruit—a discovery that becomes a deeply personal secret. Rather than sharing the experience, the protagonist keeps the taste entirely to themselves, never revealing it to anyone else. This unspoken encounter serves as a poignant focal point of the story, highlighting themes of private discovery and solitary reflection during a season typically associated with stillness. This animated short film was produced as a 2022 graduate work from Tokyo University of the Arts, specifically completed within the Graduate School of Film and New Media, Department of Animation.