The Anthem of the Heart

The Anthem of the Heart

Year: 2017

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Naoto Kumazawa

Drama

A young girl named Jun has been silenced, her words withheld to prevent causing harm. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is nominated for a position on the community outreach council and simultaneously chosen to play the lead role in a musical production. Navigating these new challenges, Jun must confront her past and learn the power of her voice.

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The Anthem of the Heart (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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As a young girl, Jun Naruse, Kyoko Yoshine was very excitable and talkative. She loved fairy tales and was always excited about the castle on the hilltop, which in reality was a love hotel. One day, she saw her father leaving the love hotel. Not realizing the significance, she exposes his infidelity. Her father blames her for the family conflict that follows. While she is crying, she imagines a fairy egg that curses her by sealing her words, so she won’t hurt people again. As a result of her “curse,” Jun is not able to speak and suffers stomachaches whenever she tries to speak.

Years later, in high school, her homeroom teacher Kazuki Jōshima, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa signs her up as a member of the Community Outreach Event along with three other classmates: Takumi, Kento Nakajima the shy computer music researcher; Natsuki Nitō Anna Ishii, the cheerful cheerleader and honor student; and Daiki Tasaki Kanichiro Sato, the former baseball team ace who has a broken elbow. When she goes to the committee’s room to reject her position, Jun hears Takumi singing and is captivated. She then tells Takumi about her past using her phone, and requests for him to turn her words into a song. In this way, Jun learns that though she cannot speak, the “curse” doesn’t affect her if she sings. Her class decides to perform a musical for their school festival based on the story of her experience narrated in the form of a fairy tale.

While discussing the musical, Daiki has a falling out with his teammates. Jun intervenes, which leads to another stomachache, but this improves her bonds with the other committee members. Misunderstanding Takumi’s concern for Jun as a sign that he is falling in love with her, Natsuki tells Takumi that she will cheer them on, despite Natsuki’s feelings for Takumi. The next day, Daiki makes amends with his teammates. As they spend time together preparing for the musical, Jun starts to develop feelings for Takumi, while Daiki starts to develop feelings for Jun. Daiki asks Takumi about his relationship with Natsuki, having heard rumors that both of them were dating during middle school, but Takumi denies this since Natsuki had told her classmates that they were not dating when she was asked. Natsuki also tells Daiki that she currently has a boyfriend.

On the night before the musical, Takumi asks Natsuki about the boy she’s dating currently, leading Natsuki to finally reveal that the boy she’s referring to is none other than Takumi himself before she accuses him of falling in love with Jun. Takumi reveals that while he is concerned about Jun, he is not in love with her and he has always regretted not trying to convey his feelings for Natsuki during middle school even when he was aware of her feelings for him at that time. Unbeknownst to them, Jun overhears their conversation. Heartbroken, she runs away and meets the fairy egg, who reveals that she has worsened the curse by trying to convey her feelings for Takumi. Jun doesn’t show up on the day of the musical, leaving Natsuki to fill her role while Takumi frantically goes searching for her.

Takumi finds Jun at the love hotel that has been shut down. To his surprise, she can talk normally. Jun angrily lashes out at Takumi as he tells her that the reason she is unable to convey her words is not because of the fairy egg’s curse but because of Jun’s fear. Wanting to hear her voice once more, Takumi allows Jun to lash out all of her anger and frustration until she is satisfied. Jun confesses her feelings for Takumi, but it is revealed that Takumi is still in love with Natsuki, to which Jun replies that she knew. Takumi expresses his gratitude for Jun because before he met her, he was unable to say what he truly felt and only went along with everyone else. This convinces Jun to perform in the musical. Jun and Takumi arrive just in time before the final scene, allowing Jun to sing and convey her feelings to her mother who finally understands what she has been through. As the musical ends, Jun realizes that the fairy egg was actually nothing but imagination that she created to have someone she could blame for her condition, and now she decides to open up her heart, coming to terms with her past.

As the movie ends, Takumi and Natsuki reconcile their relationship, while Daiki finally confesses his feelings to Jun.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:06

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Movies like The Anthem of the Heart about artistic healing

Characters who overcome personal trauma by finding their voice through a creative art form.Discover movies similar to The Anthem of the Heart where characters use music, art, or performance to overcome trauma and find their voice. If you liked the story of Jun's journey through a musical, you'll find other hopeful dramas about creative expression as a form of healing.

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Stories in this thread follow a character burdened by a past hurt—often a trauma that has silenced them or made them feel isolated. A catalyst, usually a new opportunity or a supportive mentor, introduces them to an artistic outlet. The narrative focuses on their struggle to engage, the breakthroughs they experience, and how the art helps them process their emotions and reconnect with others, leading to a cathartic resolution.

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The narrative pattern revolves around a group of high school students, often with complicated relationships and hidden feelings, who are brought together to organize a major school event. The collaborative effort forces characters to interact, reveal secrets, and confront their insecurities. The event itself becomes a climax, symbolizing their growth and resolving, or at least clarifying, the central emotional tensions within the group.

Why These Movies?

These films share a distinct setting and narrative structure. They balance the youthful energy of school life with the melancholic weight of personal struggles like unrequited love and friendship drama. The tone is a mix of sentimental and hopeful, with a steady pace that builds towards the climactic event, creating a strongly nostalgic and reflective mood.

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