ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND

For restless teenagers searching for excitement, rock and roll often becomes the ultimate escape. A notorious trio of high school delinquents decides to form a band despite possessing no musical talent, no funding, and not even a complete drum kit. Driven by the desire to impress their only friend, Aya, and the need to evade a rival gang, they embark on an unlikely quest for musical glory. Above all else, they simply want to play. Adapted from Hiroyuki Oohashi’s manga, ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND translates its source material into a distinct cinematic experience. The film was animated almost entirely by director Kenji Iwaisawa and features a lead vocal performance by Japanese alternative rock icon Shintaro Sakamoto. Through pitch-perfect deadpan humor, it delivers a highly original interpretation of the slacker comedy genre. Ultimately, this lo-fi buddy film builds toward a roaring musical finale that leaves audiences craving an immediate encore.