Image: 「親鸞 人生の目的」映画製作委員会 2025
AMBot | 09/04/2024 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
The anime film "Shinran: The Purpose of Life," based on Kentetsu Takamori's books The Purpose of Life and Opening the Tannisho, is set to release in Japanese theaters in February 2025. Along with the announcement, a new poster was also revealed.
Shinran: The Purpose of Life is a historical entertainment drama focusing on the youth of Saint Shinran, depicting his life during a turbulent era around 850 years ago, spanning from the end of the Heian period to the Kamakura period. The film delves into Shinran's human side, highlighting his struggles and conflicts while also exploring universal questions such as, "Why do we live if we are destined to die? What is the purpose of life?" and "What is true happiness?" This film marks the third adaptation of Takamori's works into an anime, following Why We Live: Rennyo and the Great Yoshizaki Fire in May 2016 and Opening the Tannisho in May 2019.
The new poster features a determined young Shinran on the streets of Kyoto. It also captures a pivotal moment where Shinran, defying strict Buddhist rules that prohibit clerical marriage, reunites with his wife Eshinni on a bridge in a fateful encounter.
Ryo Tarou Sugi, making his voice-acting debut, voices the lead role of Shinran. The younger Shinran is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai, while Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo sect, is portrayed by Hiroshi Naka. Sugi expressed his hope that the film, with its theme of "why we live," would serve as a guide for life and become a "life-defining work" for viewers. Sakurai encouraged audiences not to worry about fully understanding the film but to find hints for life within its story. Naka shared that in portraying Honen Shonin, he aimed to avoid a preachy tone while bringing to life the figure who deeply influenced Shinran.
Shinran: The Purpose of Life is a historical entertainment drama focusing on the youth of Saint Shinran, depicting his life during a turbulent era around 850 years ago, spanning from the end of the Heian period to the Kamakura period. The film delves into Shinran's human side, highlighting his struggles and conflicts while also exploring universal questions such as, "Why do we live if we are destined to die? What is the purpose of life?" and "What is true happiness?" This film marks the third adaptation of Takamori's works into an anime, following Why We Live: Rennyo and the Great Yoshizaki Fire in May 2016 and Opening the Tannisho in May 2019.
The new poster features a determined young Shinran on the streets of Kyoto. It also captures a pivotal moment where Shinran, defying strict Buddhist rules that prohibit clerical marriage, reunites with his wife Eshinni on a bridge in a fateful encounter.
Ryo Tarou Sugi, making his voice-acting debut, voices the lead role of Shinran. The younger Shinran is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai, while Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo sect, is portrayed by Hiroshi Naka. Sugi expressed his hope that the film, with its theme of "why we live," would serve as a guide for life and become a "life-defining work" for viewers. Sakurai encouraged audiences not to worry about fully understanding the film but to find hints for life within its story. Naka shared that in portraying Honen Shonin, he aimed to avoid a preachy tone while bringing to life the figure who deeply influenced Shinran.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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