A stage greeting celebrating the theatrical release of Shibo Yugi de Meshi wo Kuu. 44: CLOUDY BEACH was held on July 11 at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo. Attendees included Miura Chiyuki (voice of Yuki), Nagase Anna (voice of Nagayo), and director Ueno Sohdai, with a surprise appearance by Ito Shizuka (voice of Hakushi).
Note: This article contains details about the film’s story and direction. Reader discretion is advised for those who have not yet seen it.
Why Sound Is the Key to the Theatrical Experience
Director Ueno revealed that the project was originally planned as a 12-episode TV series, but he felt that format would be too rushed to properly convey the world and atmosphere of the story. He pushed to add three more episodes, which ultimately led to the decision to produce it as a theatrical film instead.
For the cinema release, Ueno said his biggest focus was sound. “Unlike TV, we can use the rear speakers as well, so impactful sounds and the voices of ‘scary characters’ come from all directions — and what you hear actually changes depending on where you’re sitting,” he explained. He worked closely with sound director Konuma Noriyoshi to craft the film’s audio design.
Nagase Anna Went in Blind — and Got a Shock
Miura Chiyuki recalled a conversation with the director about Yuki’s more vulnerable side, saying he told her: “Yuki has that side too, and overcoming it is a necessary ritual for her growth as a person — so let’s get through it together.” She laughed, saying she simply agreed and pushed through.
Nagase Anna, meanwhile, revealed that she chose not to read the source manga before receiving her script — a decision made in consultation with sound director Konuma. When she finally opened the script, she was stunned. “I get the script… and (Nagayo) is dead!” she told the audience with a laugh. The second script volume also had no scenes for her character, and it wasn’t until the third that things became clear. “When I read it again, I understood why I was cast as Nagayo. I hope I can talk about that someday,” she said.
Ito Shizuka, whose character Hakushi witnesses the confrontation between her two disciples Yuki and Nagayo, spoke about the scene where Yuki asks her, “Would it have been better if Nagayo-san had survived?” Ito said she wanted to play the moment ambiguously. “I wanted it to be open to interpretation either way. I was initially thinking I should hold back on emotion in line with the TV series’ tone, but the director told me it was okay to let the feelings waver — so I performed it without making any single emotion too clear,” she reflected.
Spotlight: The 3D Flames That Cost the Team Their Tears
When asked about standout moments in the film, Miura pointed to a child’s voice heard after a game ends — something director Ueno teased would “give you goosebumps once you figure it out,” even gesturing toward specific seats in the theater where it might be heard most clearly.
Ueno also highlighted the film’s 3D-rendered flames, explaining that the rendering process is enormously time-consuming. While the TV series’ first episode featured only a few seconds of fire, the film includes around 60 seconds of burning. “The 3D team worked on it with tears in their eyes,” he said. “Please pay close attention to that scene.”
Miura closed the event on behalf of the cast: “In Yuki’s battles, you’ll see all the conflict inside her and her effort to grow as a person. The final scene was truly, truly painful to record — but I believe that if you watch it, Yuki will feel like she’s been rewarded. Please do come and see it.”
About the Film
Shibo Yugi de Meshi wo Kuu. 44: CLOUDY BEACH began a two-week limited theatrical run on July 10. The story follows Yuki, a professional player of deadly murder games, as she takes on her 44th game — “Cloudy Beach” — on a remote island. What begins as a seemingly straightforward escape challenge turns sinister when a gruesome dismembered body is discovered the next morning, sending the players into a spiral of mutual suspicion.
Staff
- Original Work: Ukai Yushi
- Original Character Design: Nekometaru
- Director: Ueno Sohdai
- Series Composition: Ikeda Rintaro
- Character Design: Osada Eri
- Sub Character Design: Otsuka Keika, Komatsu Sota
- Prop Design: Kuroiwa Sonoka
- Concept Art: hewa
- Art Director: Nakamura Yoshihiro
- Color Design: Katsuragi Imari
- Photography Director: Kondo Shinyo
- Editing: Kikuchi Haruko, Onodera Keiko
- Sound Director: Konuma Noriyoshi
- Sound Effects: Yamada Kaori
- Sound Production: Bit Groove Promotion
- Music: Matsumoto Junichi
- Music Production: Nippon Columbia
- Animation Studio: Studio DEEN
Cast
- Yuki: Miura Chiyuki
- Airi: Miyamoto Yume
- Nagayo: Nagase Anna
- Koei: Tamura Yukari
- Hizumi: Inagaki Koma
- Kuma: Shimada Aino
- Mitsuha: Akechi Riko
- Kaiun: Tono Hikaru
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