In Neo Sora’s assured debut feature, Happyend unfolds like a seismic tremor—subtle at first, building to an aftershock that lingers after the credits roll. Set in a near-future Tokyo where everyone’s on edge about a possible massive quake, the story follows a group of high school friends facing a world that’s getting stricter and scarier. What starts as a silly prank on their principal turns serious when the school sets up cameras to watch everyone, mirroring the government’s tightening grip on the city.
Sora, whose dad is the famous composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, blends a creepy sci-fi vibe with the warm, messy feelings of growing up. The film follows the teens as they hang out in a music room, messing around with cool electronic gear, or wander through Tokyo’s strangely empty streets. We see best friends Yuta (Hayato Kurihara) and Kou (Yukito Hidaka) start to drift apart, while Fumi (Kilala Inori) gets serious about fighting back against the school’s harsh rules.
The movie looks amazing, with school hallways feeling like a maze of control and news flashing on clouds in the sky. The music, with a nod to Sakamoto’s style, adds a heartbeat-like pulse to the story. Shirô Sano is great as the grumpy principal, his annoyed looks bouncing off the teens’ carefree attitude. The diverse cast hints at issues like prejudice, but some say the film doesn’t dig deep enough into Japan’s unique kind of exclusion, which is more about ignoring outsiders than open hate.
Still, Happyend shines because it keeps things subtle. It’s a hopeful look at teens finding their way in a controlling world, where friendships can be stronger than fear. Sora suggests these kids will be okay, even as the world gets tougher. In a sea of dark future stories, this one feels like a fresh, optimistic breeze.
Happyend IS IN CINEMAS FROM OCT 30.
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