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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Anthem of the Heart (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Anthem of the Heart (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present-day Japan

The narrative moves between Jun's childhood memories and her high school years, placing the events in a modern, everyday context. The castle-love hotel and the school environment anchor the plot in current times, while the characters' concerns—family, friendship, and self-expression—reflect contemporary teen life.

Location

Castle on the Hill (Love Hotel), High School, Japan

The story centers on a hilltop castle that functions as a love hotel, a key backdrop for Jun's childhood trauma and family conflict. The action alternates with scenes at her high school and a school festival, grounding the drama in contemporary Japanese youth culture. This setting juxtaposes a fairy-tale image with harsh real-life consequences, driving the emotional arc of the characters.

🎭 School life 🏰 Castle setting ❤️ Family drama 🎶 Music backdrop

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

Main Characters – The Anthem of the Heart (2017)

Meet the key characters of The Anthem of the Heart (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jun Naruse (Kyoko Yoshine)

Jun is a once lively girl whose words become sealed after a childhood trauma, leaving her unable to speak and causing stomachaches when she tries. She is perceptive, sensitive, and deeply empathetic, using singing as her primary means of expression. Her journey centers on opening up to her mother and friends and learning to trust again.

🎭 Introverted 🗣️ Silent but expressive 🎵 Musical potential 💪 Resilient

Takumi Sakagami (Kento Nakajima)

Takumi is a shy, music-loving student who signs up for the school project and helps convert Jun's feelings into a song. He is practical and observant, and his own unspoken feelings complicate his relationship with Natsuki. His growth comes from learning to voice his thoughts and support Jun.

🎭 Introverted 🎶 Music-minded 💡 Creative

Natsuki Nitō (Anna Ishii)

Natsuki is a confident cheerleader and top student who harbors feelings for Takumi while currently having a boyfriend. Her outward poise masks a complicated love life, and she must navigate honesty and loyalty as the group works toward their musical.

🎀 Popular 💬 Direct ❤️ Loyal

Daiki Tasaki (Kanichiro Sato)

Daiki is a former baseball star sidelined by a broken elbow, who clashes with teammates before making amends. He develops feelings for Jun, creating tension within the group, but his growth emphasizes teamwork and redemption.

🏅 Athletic 💔 Romantic 🤝 Loyal

Kazuki Jōshima (Yoshiyoshi Arakawa)

Kazuki is Jun's homeroom teacher who signs her up for the community outreach event and acts as a steady mentor. He fosters collaboration and supports the students as they transform their experiences into a musical.

🎓 Teacher 🧭 Guiding 🤝 Supportive

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

Major Themes – The Anthem of the Heart (2017)

Explore the central themes of The Anthem of the Heart (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎤 Voice

Jun's muteness gradually gives way to a voice through singing, reframing communication as an act of art rather than speech. The film treats song as a direct route to emotion, allowing Jun to express what words cannot. The 'curse' becomes a catalyst for personal growth and resilience.

❤️ Love

Romance and friendship intertwine as Jun, Takumi, Natsuki, and Daiki navigate unspoken feelings and misunderstandings. Relationships are tested by jealousy and honesty, but music acts as a bridge that brings people together. The musical project becomes a vehicle for emotional truth and connection.

🗝️ Identity

Jun confronts the narrative she has built around her condition, moving from self-blame toward self-acceptance. The imagined fairy egg becomes a symbol of internal myths; the story invites viewers to distinguish fantasy from real fears. Through time with friends and family, Jun discovers who she is beyond her past.

🎵 Music

Music serves as the glue that binds the group, transforming personal pain into collaboration. The school festival becomes a turning point where Jun can finally share her voice on stage. Through songwriting and performance, the characters learn resilience, trust, and belonging.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

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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Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on therapy through creativity. They blend melancholic backstories with uplifting, hopeful arcs. The tone is consistently reflective and cathartic, and they often feature a medium emotional weight balanced by a steady, character-driven pace that allows the healing process to feel earned.

School festival stories like The Anthem of the Heart

Coming-of-age stories where a school event brings friends together to confront personal issues.Find movies like The Anthem of the Heart that center on a high school festival or play as a catalyst for change. These similar coming-of-age stories feature friend groups, unrequited love, and the bittersweet mix of nostalgia and hope that defines youth.

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Narrative Summary

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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Anthem of the Heart

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Anthem of the Heart in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Anthem of the Heart is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Anthem of the Heart Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Anthem of the Heart, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Anthem of the Heart Summary

The Anthem of the Heart Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Anthem of the Heart with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Anthem of the Heart Timeline

The Anthem of the Heart Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Anthem of the Heart that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Anthem of the Heart Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Anthem of the Heart

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More About The Anthem of the Heart

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