SYNOPSIS

When you’re a bored teenager looking for thrills, sometimes the only thing you can turn to is rock ‘n roll. Having no skill, money, or even a full set of drums, a feared trio of high school delinquents nevertheless decide they are destined for musical glory in a quest to impress their only friend Aya, avoid a rival gang, and – most importantly – jam out.

Animated almost entirely by director Kenji Iwaisawa, and featuring a lead performance by Japanese alt-rock legend Shintaro Sakamoto, ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND brings its own sound and vision to the Hiroyuki Ohashi manga from which it was adapted. With pitch-perfect deadpan humor, the film presents a highly original take on the beloved slacker comedy: a lo-fi buddy film with a blaring musical finale that will leave you wanting an immediate encore.

2020 Annecy Film Festival - Official Selection

2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival Winner - Nelvana Grand Prize

Annie Award Nominee - Best Indie Feature

REVIEWS

“Upends all that is typical of Japanese animation.”

- VARIETY

"Joins the works of Don Hertzfeldt and the early shorts of Makoto Shinkai in the world of hyper-personal DIY animation."

- CBR

"An absolute knockout."

- CRITERION CAST

INSTITUTIONS

Weathering With You

Marona's Fantastic Tale

On-Gaku: Our Sound

Children of the Sea

Aya of Yop City

Funan