[Blu-ray] The Guardian of the Camphor Tree [Limited Edition] BD

©Keigo Higashino / "The Guardian of the Camphor Tree" Anime Production Committee ★

Introduction
—This tree holds a secret.

Keigo Higashino’s novel *The Guardian of the Camphor Tree* has sold over 1 million copies and garnered widespread acclaim. While many of Higashino’s works have been adapted, this marks the first time one of his novels has been turned into an anime. The story of a mysterious camphor tree—said to grant wishes to those who pray to it—and the young man who becomes its guardian is vividly brought to life on screen.

At the helm of this adaptation is director Tomohiko Ito, who has garnered widespread acclaim for *Sword Art Online* (2012), *The Town Where Only I Am Missing* (2016/CX), and *HELLO WORLD* (2019). The screenplay is written by Taku Kishimoto, who has masterfully adapted the original works in the *Haikyu!!* series.

The music is composed by Yugo Kanno, who has created heart-stirring melodies for Higashino’s works—including *Suspect X’s Sacrifice* (2008)—as well as numerous TV dramas, films, and animated works.Character design is handled by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, known for *Blue Period*, and Akiko Itagaki, who earned high praise as animation director on *The Mirror's Lonely Castle* (2022). The characters brought to life by these two are enveloped in the background art of Hiroshi Takiguchi, who depicted fantastical landscapes in *Your Name.* (2016).

Furthermore, A-1 Pictures—the studio behind numerous masterpieces—has brought the mysterious world of *The Guardian of the Camphor Tree* to life with its refined visual style.

This film depicts a human drama unfolding around a single camphor tree that has received countless prayers and the young man who has become its guardian.The protagonist, Naoi Reito, is played by Fumiya Takahashi, who has consistently broadened his range by taking on complex roles in both drama and film. Takahashi’s performance, in which he sincerely confronts Reito’s pain and inner conflict and pours his heart into the role, conveys that passion directly to the audience through the screen.

Yuki Amami, who has starred in numerous masterpieces and exuded an overwhelming presence in animated films—including Studio Ghibli works—lends her voice to Chifune Yanagisawa, Reito’s aunt whose fate is deeply intertwined with his. Amid the beautifully polished visuals, the performances woven by the two actors delicately capture the inner turmoil and emotions deep within Reito and Chifune.

A cast of talented actors has also gathered to fill the key roles that enrich the story.

Takao Osawa, who has exuded a unique presence in numerous works and whose voice envelops this film, voices Toshiaki Saji. Asuka Saito, who continues to make strides in both film and television, takes on the role of Toshiaki’s daughter, Yumi Saji, marking her first foray into voice acting for a theatrical animation following an audition.Ryuuya Miyase, who was selected through auditions, plays Soki Oba, a young man who visits the camphor tree. With experience not only in films and TV dramas but also in dubbing for overseas animations, this marks his first appearance in a Japanese animated film.

When the final truth entrusted to the Kusunoki tree is revealed, the warmth of unseen emotions will stir the souls of viewers. What miracle will be woven from the heartfelt prayers of those who gather at the Kusunoki tree?

In 2026, a stellar lineup of creators and cast members—a source of pride for Japan—will come together to bring this long-awaited, moving film to life.

★Story
: Reito Naoi, a young man who lost his job due to an unjust dismissal, is arrested for a mistake he made while cornered. He had neither the will to
entrust his future to fate nor the resolve to make his own life choices.
Then, an encounter arrives that changes his
fate. “I’ll release you if you follow my instructions”—
Reito accepts the conditions set by a lawyer who suddenly appears and makes this demand. Before him stands Chifune Yanagisawa. She is a figure who has
greatly contributed to the growth of the Yanagisawa Group, a major corporation, and is also the half-sister of his late mother.
“I have a task I wish to assign you.” That task is to become the <Guardian of the Camphor Tree> standing at Tsukigo Shrine.
Though bewildered, Reito accepted the role of guardian and began encountering people who visited the shrine grounds for various reasons. There was Toshiaki Saji, a man who made regular visits
to the camphor tree
. His daughter, Yumi Saji, a college student who found her father’s behavior suspicious. And Soki Oba, a young man struggling with the prospect of inheriting the family business
. As Reito interacted with them and with Chifune,
his world gradually began to take on color.

—But Reito still didn’t know. He didn’t know the <true
power> that the camphor tree possessed.

Eventually, that mystery will draw Reito into its vortex, leading him to an unexpected truth.

★Cast
Reito Naoi: Fumiya
Takahashi Chifune Yanagisawa
: Yuki Amami Yumi Saji: Asuka Saito
Soki Oba
: Ryuya Miyase Toshiaki Saji: Takao Osawa

★Staff Original
Work: Keigo Higashino, "The Guardian of the Camphor Tree" (published by Jitsugyo no Nihon-sha Bunko)
Director: Tomohiko Ito Screenplay
: Taku Kishimoto Character
Design: Tsubasa Yamaguchi
, Akiko Itagaki Music: Yugo Kanno Art & Art Director
: Hiroshi Takiguchi Art Setting
:Yasumitsu
Suetake Color Design: Ken Hashimoto Costume Design
: Tsuyoshi Takahashi CG Director
: Tomoki Tsukamoto
Director of Photography: Teppei Sato Editing
: Shigeru Nishiyama
Supervising Sound Editor: Masatoshi
Katsumata Post-Recording Mixer: Takahiro Fujishima Production
: A-1 Pictures / Psyde Kick Studio
Distribution: Aniplex
Production: Anime "The Guardian of the Camphor Tree" Production Committee

★Theme Song
"By Your Side on a Moonlit Night" by Uru

★Official Website
https://kusunoki-movie.com/

【Contents】
◆1 Main Feature Disc + 1 Bonus Disc

【Bonus Features】
◆Original Shikishi-style Card by Character Designer Tsubasa Yamaguchi ◆Special Booklet
(Includes a novel written by Keigo Higashino, originally distributed as a first-week theater giveaway)
◆Original Little Owl Sticker
◆Bonus Disc: Premiere Screening / Opening Day Stage Greeting / Release Commemorative Stage Greeting / Making-of Footage / Trailer & Commercial Collection

*Specifications and bonus content are subject to change.

■Based
on Keigo Higashino’s “The Guardian of the Camphor Tree” (published by Jitsugyo no Nihon-sha Bunko)

■Cast (1): Fumiya Takahashi
■Cast (2): Yuki Amami ■Runtime
: Approx
. 113 min. ■Color/B&W: Color ■Year
of Production: 2026
■Audio 1: Linear PCM

■Distributor: Sony Music