A young saxophonist Dai Miyamoto moves to Tokyo to pursue his dream of becoming the greatest jazz musician in the world. Passionate and sincere, he convinces pianist Yukinori Sawabe to join him and form a band. Their journey to fame is a rocky road of struggle and doubt, but their friendship and determination may be just the thing that helps them succeed. Based on Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga series, an anime film by Yuzuru Tachikawa.

Dai Miyamoto (宮本大 voiced by Yuki Yamada), fresh out of high school in Sendai, decides to travel to Tokyo to chase his dream of becoming the world’s greatest jazz musician. He’s been practicing the tenor saxophone every day for three years, and he’s ready to take on the city. Dai surprises his former classmate Shunji Tamada (玉田 俊二 voiced by Amane Okayama) with a visit, knowing Shunji would say no if he asked in advance. To save money, Dai asks to crash at Shunji’s apartment for a few days until he finds a place of his own. Shunji reluctantly agrees, but Dai’s stay ends up longer than anticipated due to the skyrocketing rent prices in Tokyo. To make ends meet, Dai takes on a day job as a construction worker, while his soul pours out onto the saxophone practices by the river at night.

Dai stumbles into Take Two, a small jazz bar, on a rainy night. He expects to hear a live jazz band, but the owner informs him that they haven’t had one for quite some time. Disappointment washes over Dai, and he’s about to leave when the owner asks if he likes jazz. Intrigued, Dai answers that he likes jazz. The owner surprises him by opening the curtains, revealing a wall of shelves overflowing with hundreds of vinyl records. With a practiced hand, she selects one and sets it on the turntable. Music floods the bar, and Dai’s ears perk up. He’s instantly impressed.

Not only does Dai recognize the musician as Sonny Stitt, but he also understands why the owner chose this particular song. It perfectly complements the rainy mood outside. The owner, impressed by Dai’s knowledge, recommends a bar called Jazzspot where a live band is playing right now.

As Dai enters the bar, his attention is instantly drawn to the young pianist, Yukinori Sawabe (沢辺雪祈 voiced by Shotaro Mamiya). Yukinori effortlessly keeps up with the seasoned jazz guitarist. His fingers dancing across the keys with mesmerizing skill. When the show is over, Dai can’t resist approaching Yukinori. He’s determined to convince him to join his team. Yukinori hesitates at first, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his face. But Dai’s passion is palpable, and he can’t help but be intrigued. Eventually, Yukinori relents, agreeing to hear Dai play his saxophone before making a decision.

The next day, Dai and Yukinori meet again at Take Two. Yukinori, initially skeptical, raises an eyebrow when Dai reveals he’s only been playing sax for three years. After all, Yukinori has been playing piano since the age of four. But skepticism melts away as Dai lifts his saxophone and begins to play. The music flows with raw emotion, a torrent of passion that washes over Yukinori, leaving him entranced. Dai’s talent shines like a comet across the bar. Yukinori agrees to join the band.

After joining the band, Yukinori tells Dai that they need a drummer. He explains that a drummer is crucial for laying the foundation of jazz, as they keep all the members in rhythm and prevent them from straying. Dai brings his roommate Shunji, who has never played drums, to fill in the rhythm section. While initially upset, Yukinori reluctantly allows Shunji to be their temporary drummer. Driven to prove himself, Shunji enrolls in a drumming class for children and buys a drum set to practice in his room. He is determined to improve and earn his place in the band.

Fueled by Yukinori’s original compositions, the band steadily gains recognition through their gigs at various jazz bars. Shunji’s drumming skills rapidly evolves. This rising tide culminates in an invitation to perform at the Katsushika Jazz Festival, an opportunity the band sees as a major step towards their ultimate dream: gracing the stage of So Blue. For jazz musicians, So Blue is their Tokyo Dome, an elite club where legends are made.

Based on the acclaimed jazz-themed manga series “BLUE GIANT” by Shinichi Ishizuka (石塚真一), director Yuzuru Tachikawa (立川譲) crafts a captivating anime film. The screenplay by NUMBER 8 seamlessly blends the story’s emotional journey with the pulse of jazz, while the soundtrack composed by award-winning pianist Hiromi Uehara (上原 ひろみ) elevates every scene with its soulful melodies and powerful improvisations.

Through a condensed script, the filmmaker plunges us into the world of jazz music, friendship, and the characters’ struggles to prove themselves. Their backstories unfold in a stylish montage of images, relying almost entirely on visuals and minimal dialogue. While this technique might not be the most effective, it conveys enough information. However, for a deeper understanding of each character’s background, viewers familiar with the original manga may have an advantage.

“Blue Giant” explodes onto the screen as a feast for the senses. Every note bleeds into vibrant, swirling colors, transforming jazz into a psychedelic spectacle. Just when you think the curtain’s about to fall, the film surprises with an encore, much like a live concert, sending you out on a final flourish of marvelous notes.

BLUE GIANT was theatrically released in Japan on 17 February 2023.