In Those Days (2021) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A group of devoted idol fans find purpose and companionship through fandom, personal struggles, and the uncertainty of illness and loss.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Ordinary Frustrations and Fandom

Mikito struggles with practice and part-time work while the fans draw comfort and purpose from their shared enthusiasm for Aya Matsuura. A friend tries to lift his spirits with a win and a music video.

Key Events

• Mikito Is Scolded — Mikito is scolded for neglecting practice to work part-time. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi Location: Practice setting
• A Friend Offers Cheer — A friend tries to cheer Mikito with a slot-machine win and a music video. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi Location: Unspecified
• Fandom Offers Purpose — The fans' enthusiasm for Aya Matsuura brings excitement to otherwise difficult days. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nishino, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified

The Festival Challenge

An invitation to a school festival gives Nishino an opportunity to promote Hello! Project. Some fans doubt they can suit a university audience, but the group prepares to perform.

Key Events

• Festival Invitation — College students invite the group to take part in a school festival. Characters: Nishino, Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified
• Nishino Sees an Opportunity — Nishino views the festival as a chance to promote Hello! Project. Characters: Nishino Location: Unspecified
• Doubts About the Audience — Some worry that unemployed, socially awkward fans are unsuitable for a university audience. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nishino, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified
• Preparing to Perform — Despite their doubts, the fans prepare to perform and represent the idols they admire. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nishino, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified

Courage at the Handshake

A fan selected for an exclusive event feels too embarrassed to attend, and his friends urge him to face the opportunity. Mikito meets Aya, expresses his support, and takes a step beyond running away.

Key Events

• Handshake Event Selection — A fan is selected to attend an exclusive Aya Matsuura handshake event. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Aya Matsuura Location: Unspecified
• Fear of Attending — The selected fan feels embarrassed and unworthy, but friends urge him to go. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nishino, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified
• Mikito Faces Aya — Mikito tells Aya he has watched her, listened to her songs, and will keep supporting her. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Aya Matsuura Location: Handshake event
• A Step Beyond Running Away — The encounter helps Mikito move beyond his habit of running away. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi Location: Handshake event

Affection and Impermanence

Kozumin advises Nao about R while privately assuming that she will choose him. The fans also react to an idol's graduation and confront the fact that their cherished figures will not remain with them forever.

Key Events

• Kozumin Advises Nao — Kozumin tells Nao to leave R, whom he considers a bad person. Characters: Kozumin, Nao Location: Unspecified
• Kozumin Misreads Nao — Kozumin assumes Nao will choose him, exposing his crude assumptions and poor understanding of her. Characters: Kozumin, Nao Location: Unspecified
• An Idol Graduation Announced — The fans react emotionally to an idol's graduation and the impermanence of their attachments. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nishino, Nakauchi Location: Unspecified

Friendship Through Illness

Kozumin is seriously ill, and his costly medication is not working. Mikito and Nakauchi visit him; jokes, arguments, and talk of his wishes after death reveal the group's companionship amid grief and uncertainty.

Key Events

• Kozumin Faces Serious Illness — Kozumin is seriously ill and taking costly cancer medication that is not working. Characters: Kozumin Location: Unspecified
• Friends Visit Kozumin — Mikito and Nakauchi visit Kozumin while he faces the possibility of death. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nakauchi Location: Kozumin's place
• Jokes Amid Uncertainty — The friends joke and argue about an old television show during the visit. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nakauchi Location: Kozumin's place
• Shared Bond Endures — Their teasing and talk of Kozumin's wishes after death show enduring friendship amid grief. Characters: Mikito Tsurugi, Kozumin, Nakauchi Location: Kozumin's place

Story Breakdown

• Mikito's Daily Struggles — Mikito faces practical frustrations while trying to keep up with practice.
  • Practice Scolding — Mikito is scolded for neglecting practice to work part-time.
  • A Friend's Cheer — A friend offers a slot-machine win and a music video to lift his spirits.
• Comfort Through Fandom — The fans' enthusiasm for Aya Matsuura gives difficult days excitement and purpose.
  • Shared Enthusiasm — Their devotion provides comfort and a sense of meaning.
  • Idol Attachment — The group remains emotionally invested in the idols they admire.
• The Festival Invitation — The group is invited to perform at a school festival, prompting both enthusiasm and doubt.
  • Nishino's Opportunity — Nishino sees a chance to promote Hello! Project.
  • Audience Doubts — Some worry that the fans are unsuitable for a university audience.
• Preparing to Perform — Despite reservations, the fans prepare to represent the idols they admire.
  • Facing Reservations — The group confronts concerns about how they will appear to students.
  • Advocating Idols — They prepare to perform as supporters of the idols they cherish.
• Mikito Meets Aya — Mikito overcomes embarrassment and expresses his support directly to Aya.
  • Friends Urge Courage — His friends insist that he attend the handshake event.
  • Promise of Support — Mikito tells Aya he has watched and listened to her and will keep supporting her.
• Kozumin and Nao — Kozumin gives Nao advice about R while hoping she will choose him.
  • Advice About R — Kozumin tells Nao to leave R, whom he considers a bad person.
  • Misread Expectations — Kozumin's confidence and assumptions reveal his poor understanding of Nao.
• Fandom and Impermanence — An idol's graduation makes the fans confront change and the eventual end of cherished attachments.
  • Graduation Announcement — The fans react emotionally to the announcement that an idol is graduating.
  • Confronting Change — The announcement reminds them that the figures they cherish cannot remain with them forever.
• Friendship Through Illness — Kozumin's illness brings the friends together in a mixture of grief, humor, and affection.
  • Medication Fails — Kozumin is seriously ill, and his costly cancer medication is not working.
  • A Visit of Humor — Mikito and Nakauchi visit and joke with Kozumin while discussing his wishes after death.

Directed by

Rikiya Imaizumi

Key Cast

• Tori Matsuzaka — Mikito Tsurugi
• Taiga Nakano — Kozumin
• Takashi Yamanaka — Robi
• Ryuya Wakaba — Nishino
• Tateto Serizawa — Nakauchi