Behind the scenes of a masterpiece, there is a great song. Yoshiyuki Okuyama and Mitsuki Takahata talk about the role of love songs in movies

Of the three short stories in the original work, most of the third episode is set around "One more time, One more chance," and the story is entrusted to those lyrics. This was possible because the song has a universal power that resonates deeply and firmly with everyone. That song served as a bridge connecting the audience with the story that depicts half of the life of the main character, Takaki.

The song has a strong presence, yet it also feels like it's integrated into the story like a line from a song. I actually had the opportunity to cover this song on a music program some time ago. When I actually sang it, I found it to be very powerful, unlike the impression I had of it being a sentimental song. Rather than a sense of loss, I felt that it was a song that had a strong power to seek what lies beyond.

The theme song for this film, "1991," by Kenshi Yonezu, has lyrics that overlap half of Takaki's life with half of Yonezu's own. I feel honored that he put so much feeling into the song.

It's a song that doesn't fit into any genre; it doesn't just express sadness, but also suddenly introduces strange sounds and mixes contradictory elements. So after watching the film, I felt like it didn't confine the story to a specific genre, but expanded it even further. It's a song with a lingering impact and breadth.

That may be true. I think it's a song that walks a perfect line between a calm coldness and oozing passion.

I found it very emotional to sense the bond between Okuyama-san and Yonezu-san, who have been friends for a long time, and 1991 is the year all three of us were born. Until now, there weren't many creators my age, and I felt a little lonely, so listening to "1991" made me proud to be born in 1991 (laughs).

The soundtrack for "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" was produced by Quruli, and one of the songs on it is called "Wakare" (Parting). Since it's music for a movie, it doesn't have any lyrics, but the sadness of the melody line alone paints a scene of parting that many people can relate to.

I also like Karen O's "The Moon Song," which was the theme song for "Her." I love the song, and "Her" is one of the first romantic movies that comes to mind.

I recently watched Karaoke Iko!, and the main character sings X JAPAN's "Kurenai." I'd never thought of "Kurenai" as a love song, but when it's screamed like that, it sounds sad (laughs).

I think memorable love songs are songs that are written and sung to just one person. I imagine that ripples spread farther and farther when you throw pebbles into a lake, rather than throwing them randomly. I think that this is true not only for love songs, but for any creative work.

However, I have never consciously listened to love songs before, and I have never had the experience of crying while listening to a love song and relating it to my own love. I wonder why I have lived a life that is so unrelated to heart-fluttering emotions? (laughs)

"5 Centimeters per Second" touches on things like the catharsis of love, but I wanted to make it a work that depicts something much broader.

Although the theme is love, it's also about how each person's life progresses differently. That's why I think viewers can relate to it.