[W TOKYO Co., Ltd.] [Cinema Bird, the brainchild of Takumi Saito] Held in the disaster-stricken area of Oku-Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture. Approximately 500 local residents invited free of charge. Takumi Saito: “I was able to keep my promise.”
W TOKYO Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 5, 2025 [Cinema Bird, the brainchild of Takumi Saito] Held in the disaster-stricken area of Okunoto, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Approximately 500 local residents invited free of charge. Takumi Saito commented, “I was able to keep my promise.” Yuno Nagao and Takumi Saito reunite in Noto! Nagano, Chuken Tachi High School, and world-renowned jazz pianist Makoto Ozone bring laughter and emotion to the disaster-stricken areas! Screening of the Academy Award-nominated film “Robot Dreams” Cinema Bird, a mobile cinema that delivers a theatrical experience, will be holding a “Cinema Bird in…” event at La Porte Suzu in Suzu City, Okunoto, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. “Oku-Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture” was held. This marks the 15th time Cinema Bird has been held. ■ Takumi Saito spoke about his feelings about the event, saying, “I was able to keep my promise.” Approximately 500 local residents were invited to the event free of charge in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, an area affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
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contributing to the city’s recovery by making use of Ishikawa Prefecture’s nature and traditional culture. Saito Takumi, the organizer of this event, shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “When we held the event in Shika Town last March, we promised to ‘meet in the future,’ so I’m really happy that we were able to make it happen in Oku-Noto this time. When I actually walked around, I felt that the road to recovery is still ongoing. Despite this, it was impressive to see the people of Ishikawa Prefecture caring for and encouraging those around them, even in difficult situations
themselves. However, if there is an SOS behind that kindness, I want to be there for them and not miss it.” Chukentachi Hachiko, originally from Iwate Prefecture and themselves victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, spoke of their origins and brought courage to the audience, saying, “When I was in high school, I saw a comedy show about reconstruction, and we decided to form a comedy duo and pursue a career in comedy. We hope that today we can inspire you in some way.”
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7466/892/7466-892-ba4ae354563abdba91babc647effe358-3900×2605.jpg The event was hosted by freelance announcer Moe Tanijiri, who warmly and invitingly hosted the audience with her calm and composed talk. This time, Nagao Yuno appeared as a special guest. She garnered attention for her brilliant performance as a genius girl in the TV Asahi drama “Kidnapping Day,” starring Saito Takumi, which aired its final episode on September 2nd. The venue erupted in cheers and applause upon her appearance. “I’m so happy to be able to come to Suzu City this time. Suzu City is famous for its diatomaceous earth, isn’t it? I really think this earth is wonderful. I love mochi, and my dream is to grill it and eat it. I’m thinking of buying a diatomaceous earth charcoal grill to take home today!” she commented with a smile, which elicited cheers of applause from the audience. Saito offered words of appreciation, saying, “Yuno-chan is really busy, and you managed to come despite your schedule being so complex,” to which Nagao responded with a beaming smile, “I came here because I wanted to do my best to make sure everyone had a good time. Everyone here is my friend!” When asked about working with Saito on the drama, he said, “He plays with me, talks with me, is funny and cool, he’s a really wonderful person!”, expressing his joy at working together again in Oku-Noto. Saito continued, “Yuno-chan also writes movie scripts, and Nagano-san is also making movies. I’m happy that in the future we can each bring our work together.” As they praised each other’s talents, the entire venue was filled with warm applause and smiles.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7466/892/7466-892-29bbf08b97037c81c6549d9619370de9-3900×2600.jpg Mayor Izumiya Masuhiro of Suzu City took the stage at the start of the event. He expressed his joy at the event, saying, “The venue is filled with excitement. It’s truly a powerful energy. We want to use this energy to aim for a more appealing, cutting-edge reconstruction.” Also taking the stage was Takenori Hirota, Kanazawa Branch Manager of Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company, which is providing special support. The company will celebrate its 100th anniversary in November 2023, and as part of its social contribution project “THE MUTUAL Art for Children,” one of the projects implemented under the concept of “THE MUTUAL,” the company is producing “Vegetable Crayons” made from vegetables that would otherwise be discarded during harvest. The packaging features a design by students at a special needs school, and the company has donated the “Vegetable Crayons” to Suzu City. ■Nagao Yuno makes a surprise appearance?! Regular member Nagano and the first-time appearance of the loyal dog team Hachiko will bring laughter to the disaster-stricken areas! Saito Takumi is also a big fan. World-renowned jazz pianist Makoto Ozone captivated the audience with his high-quality live performance. In addition to film
screenings, cinema bird’s appeal also lies in its live artist and comedy shows. The comedy show featured regular cinema bird member Nagano and the award-winning comedian Hachi Takatachi, who made her cinema bird debut and has had impressive success in award
competitions, including “almost winning” THE W 2024, a competition to determine the No. 1 female comedian (though she actually came in third place). First up was Chuken Tachi Hachiko, who performed a comical routine introducing body parts in English to the beat. Their rhythmic routine, laced with clever jokes but somehow lacking in tempo, had the entire audience, from children to adults, in a frenzy of laughter. Next up was Nagano, who performed a series of interactive skits and new pieces that drew the audience in, instantly raising the excitement in the venue. For his signature skit, “Lassen,” Nagao Yuno and Chuken Tachi Hachiko made a surprise appearance! This one-off collaboration had the audience erupting in laughter and cheers.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7466/892/7466-892-7d311a7c395b1716ec5c2f80b8f952e4-2768×1848.jpg The traditional welcome song was performed by Takumi Saito and Gouki of cinema birds. Guests were welcomed with Saito’s sweet voice and Gouki’s powerful vocals. The special live performance featured Makoto Ozone, a world-renowned jazz pianist who graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music and was nominated for the 45th Grammy Award. Ozone is a close friend of the two, having photographed the cover of the album “Trinfinity,” released on January 24, 2024. Ozone graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music and was nominated for the 45th Grammy Award. “The piano in this venue is amazing. I’m getting really excited,” he said, before continuing, “Just having the language of jazz brings us together wherever we are in the world. The language of music doesn’t need to be put into words; it can create ‘miraculous moments’ that can be shared as long as we live. I hope we can create such a miraculous moment today.” He then performed two songs: “Gotta Be Happy” and “Where do we go from here?”, which expresses the desire not to give up hope. His world-class performance, which seemed to embody the “language of music” with his entire body, created a special moment that moved the hearts of the audience.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7466/892/7466-892-663bfbbb7a7fe0c1a1b7cb4d8d19c52c-3900×2605.jpg ■This “theatrical experience” will feature two films: the Academy Award-nominated film “Robot Dreams” and The clay animation “Phil and Moo: The Movie Fairies,” delivered to children around the world. The two films screened this time were “Robot Dreams,” which will be released in Japan in 2024 and was nominated for the 96th Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and “Phil and Moo: Movie Fairies,” a clay animation created for children around the world and planned, written, and voiced by Saito Takumi. “Robot Dreams” is an animated film set in 1980s New York, depicting the friendship that blossoms between a lonely dog and a robot. It is a masterpiece with no dialogue whatsoever, stirring emotions with the beauty of the music and images. Saito expressed his hope that “I would be happy if people take away a message from the film.” ■Visiting temporary housing in Suzu City. Sending energy to local residents still living in temporary housing! The cast visited temporary housing in Suzu City. The visit of the special guest brought smiles to the faces of the local residents, who Saito encouraged, saying, “Good luck.” Some local residents are even planning their own screenings, similar to Cinema Bird. Saito reiterated the appeal of film, saying, “Watching in the same space means we’re all in the same boat, and being able to share the space and scenery is the magic of film.”
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7466/892/7466-892-85152fb05c97005816ab83304dc47453-3900×2605.jpg ■Saito Takumi “Through this space, I was able to join hands with everyone.” “Free as a bird.” A theatrical experience brought to you by cinema bird. At the end of the event, the cast members took the stage again. Nagano drew laughter by saying, “It satisfied my need for recognition. I want to come again!” Nomura Busso of Chuken Tachi Hachi Takada commented, “After watching the film, I realized that even the smallest encounters can change your life dramatically. I want to cherish today’s encounters.” Nagao continued, “I’m happy to be a part of cinema bird, and above all, I’m so happy to have come to Suzu City. I want to continue participating in cinema bird for a long time to come!” Saito responded, “She was the sun both onstage and backstage. I feel like our gathering here today was the perfect timing to meet.” Looking back on the event, she added, “Cinema bird only has meaning when it becomes a line, not just a point. Cinema bird is complete when you all come and join us. Today, I feel like we’ve connected hands through this space, so I hope to see you again. I’ll use this moment as motivation to do my best starting tomorrow. I hope you all remember today somewhere.” “Free like a bird.” Cinema Bird will continue to deliver the “theatrical experience” to all of Japan, aiming to provide a sustainable format that provides unforgettable moments that are felt both mentally and physically. 【Event Overview】 Event Name: Cinema Bird in Okunoto, Ishikawa Prefecture Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 Doors open 13:30 Start 14:15 End 18:00 Visitors: Approximately 500 people *Completely by invitation only / Participation fee is free Venue: La Porte Suzu (1-1-8 Iida-cho, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture) Artists: cinema birds (Gouki, Saito Takumi) Guests: Nagano, Chuken Tachitaka, Moe Tanijiri (host), and others Special Live: Makoto Ozone Special Guest: Yuzuno Nagao Organized by: Cinema Bird in Ishikawa Prefecture Oku-Noto Executive Committee Planning/Production: Cinema Bird Executive Committee, KIDS-COASTER Co., Ltd., W TOKYO Co., Ltd., SECRET GARDEN Co., Ltd. Special Cooperation: Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company Sponsored by: Fuji Television Network, Inc. [Films Featured] ●Robot Dreams (Theatrical Release Date: November 8, 2024) Nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards In the big city of New York, Dog is alone and feeling crushed by loneliness. One dreary night, Dog happens to see a TV commercial that moves him. A few days later, Dog receives a large box—it’s a robot friend. As they explore New York’s famous landmarks—Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Queensboro Bridge—Dog and the robot develop a deep friendship. Their world becomes rhythmically colored and radiant. However, at the end of summer, on the way home from a swim in the ocean, the robot rusts and becomes unable to move, forcing the beach to close until the following summer. Separated, Dog and the robot spend their time separately, eagerly awaiting their reunion. Summer soon arrives again. What awaits them? 2023 / 102 minutes / G / Spain-France co-production Original title or English title: Robot Dreams Distributor: Klockworx ● “Phil and Moo: The Movie Fairies” (2017/Japan/8 minutes) Phil lives alone in an abandoned building. His expression looks somewhat lonely. Suddenly, a projector appears in front of Phil, and old film footage is projected, accompanied by the sound of film rolls rattling. Moo suddenly appears and invites Phil into the screen. Phil and Moo’s journey begins in this short clay animation made for children around the world. Voice Cast: Takumi Saito / Yuka Itaya Director/Scriptwriter/Editor: Toshiko Hata
Planning/Original Story/Scriptwriter: Takumi Saito ■About the Mobile Cinema “Cinema Bird” This project, initiated in 2014 by actor Takumi Saito, aims to provide a theatrical experience of “sharing excitement in the same space” to children with little theater experience and people in areas without theaters. Past events have been held in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture; Hirono City, Fukushima Prefecture; Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture; Minamisoma City, Fukushima
Prefecture; Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture; Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture; Mukawa Town, Hokkaido; Edogawa Ward, Tokyo; and Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. In October 2020, we considered how we could bring joy to all local residents through entertainment in the safest way possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and held our first-ever “drive-in theater,” inviting medical workers and their families from Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, where the event was held. In 2022, we invited airport staff who support Japan’s infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic, and held the event in an airline hangar at Haneda Airport. In 2023, we invited medical workers to Oguni Town, Kumamoto
Prefecture, the birthplace of Shibasaburo Kitasato, a pioneer in public health. In March 2024, we held a drive-in theater in Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, an area affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred on January 1st, inviting local residents. In September of the same year, we held our first drive-in theater in the Shikoku region, inviting local residents from Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture, an area affected by the July 2018 heavy rains. That same year, the organization received the 2024 Commissioner’s Award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, given to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding achievements in cultural activities. Official website: http://cinemabird.com/ automatically, so please do not reply.