Since its foundation in 1994, Funimation has been the center of attention for almost every American anime fan. The Texas-based distributor has been responsible for bringing more high-profile anime shows from Japan to North America. “Dragon Ball” and “One Piece” to cult favorites like “Serial Experiments Lain” and “Cowboy Bebop” to 2010s highlights like “Yuri on Ice,” “My Hero Academia,” and “Attack on Titan” everything is brought by Funimation to the fans. Apart from anime Funimation is now involved in films as well, they have become major distributors in the North-American region.

Funimation is now releasing its first original feature co-production: “Sing a Bit of Harmony“. This is made in association with Japanese animation studio J.C.Staff. It is directed by the renowned Yasuhiro Yoshiura from a screenplay by himself and Ichirō Ōkouchi.

Here’s what we know so far about “Sing a Bit of Harmony”

The studios first shared the news of this collaboration in September, 2020. Official trailers were released firstly on September 26, 2020, the second one on April 6, 2021, and the third one on July 14, 2021. The latest trailer set the release date in Japan for October 29, 2021. The dates for North America are not released yet. As we know the pattern is that after a film releases in Japan, it takes almost six months to release in the US so we can conclude that we’ll be seeing the release in early 2022.

Cast and characters in the anime film

As of the cast of this anime film, description on the official Funimation site states, the story will follow the unique, memorable character of Shion Ashimori. A new student at Keibu High School, who is ultimately revealed to be a demo AI android. The other one is a loner girl, Satomi Amano. The other characters cited by the official website are: “(Satomi’s) childhood friend, engineering geek Toma,” “the popular and attractive Gotchan,” “the strong-willed Aya,” and “judo club member ‘Thunder'” as some of the other friends Shion wins over with her personality and generosity.

What is Sing a Bit of Harmony about?

As per the first two trailers of the film, it was believed that the movie will focus on the odd-couple dynamic between the protagonists and the hijinks that ensue as Shion tries valiantly to “make Satomi happy”.  The original one-sentence plot summary spoke only of “a new transfer student interested in her surroundings, and a song that brings happiness to her and her classmates.” It was the latest trailer which unveiled the full synopsis and it became clear that “Sing a Bit of Harmony” may also be a dramatic barn-burner in addition to its previously displayed comedic whimsy. The trailer hints at dramatic, high-stake developments in Shion’s relationship with the company that developed her. As the synopsis puts it, “What Shion does for Satomi’s sake ends up involving them all in some serious pandemonium.”