Short drama 'Shisei no Touge' written by Naoki Matayoshi with theme song by Nao Sakaki selected for screening in the Live Action / Japan category at Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026!!

'Shisei no Touge' is currently streaming.

6th Digital Single 'Inochi Inochi Inochi' is currently available.

NTT DOCOMO Studio & Live, Inc. (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President: Satoshi Kobayashi) announces that the short drama 'Shisei no Touge' (The Pass of Life and Death), based on an original story and script by Naoki Matayoshi with a theme song by Nao Sakaki from the new label Scrum Wave Music—aimed at discovering and nurturing next-generation bands and global artists alongside eggman of murffin discs, which produced artists like SUPER BEAVER, sumika, and Macaroni Empitsu—has been nominated as a screening work in the Live Action / Japan category at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026, one of Asia's largest international short film festivals recognized by the Academy Awards.

This work will be screened at the film festival starting May 25, and will also be distributed at the online venue starting June 11. The Excellence Awards for each category will be announced at the Award Ceremony on June 10. The winning films may be awarded the right to be candidates for nomination in the short film category of the US Academy Awards the following year, attracting high attention to the outcome.

This short drama 'Shisei no Touge', written and based on an original story by Naoki Matayoshi, is a period drama featuring Junki Totsuka as a samurai who resigned after taking responsibility for an injustice in the 5th year of Bunsei (1822), and Daisuke Kuroda as a mysterious ronin. It is finished as a work that re-questions the meaning of life and death. In addition, the theme song 'Inochi Inochi Inochi' is a newly written track by Nao Sakaki based on the original story of 'Shisei no Touge', resulting in a work where one can feel a strong will imbued with the thought that one should settle their own life. Please take this opportunity of its selection for screening in the Live Action / Japan category at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026 to watch it once again!

▼'Shisei no Touge' Work Information
'Shisei no Touge' URL
https://youtu.be/vtdC7mbLRtk

[Synopsis]
In the 5th year of Bunsei (1822), a samurai who resigned his post after taking responsibility for an injustice arrives at a mountain pass, resolved to die.
There, a mysterious ronin he meets speaks to him as if they were old acquaintances, and welcomes the samurai's death by saying 'thank you.' The ronin seems to be making fun of him, but deep within his words, something like muddy dregs can be glimpsed.
Bewildered and irritated by the elusive man, the samurai eventually bares the depths of his heart, re-questioning the meaning of life and death...

[Original Story/Script] Naoki Matayoshi
[Cast] Junki Totsuka (Samurai), Daisuke Kuroda (Ronin), Minori, Nachi (Young couple)
[Director] Heso

▼Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026
Official Film Festival Website
https://www.shortshorts.org/2026

■Event Period:
Monday, May 25: Opening Ceremony
Tuesday, May 26 - Tuesday, June 9: Tokyo Venues
Wednesday, June 10: Award Ceremony
*Online venue: Monday, May 25 - Tuesday, June 30
(Distribution programs vary by period.)

■Screening Venues: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
(Box1000, Tatami, Park Terrace)
Akasaka Intercity Conference, Euro Live,
WITH HARAJUKU HALL, LIFORK HARAJUKU, etc.
*Periods and programs vary by venue.

■Tickets:
[Advance] General 1,500 yen, University student / U29 / Senior / Disability discount 1,200 yen
Elementary, Junior High, High School students 1,000 yen, Under elementary school age Free
[Same-day] General 1,800 yen, University student / U29 / Senior / Disability discount 1,500 yen
Elementary, Junior High, High School students 1,300 yen, Under elementary school age Free
[Passport] General 7,000 yen, Student / Senior / Disability discount 5,500 yen
[Online Venue] 2,500 yen (in Japan) / 15 USD (outside Japan)
*Online venue passports go on sale May 25

■General Inquiries: info@shortshorts.org
■Official Site: https://www.shortshorts.org/2026
■Organizer: Committee for Short Shorts / Committee for Short Shorts Asia

▼Music Information
'Shisei no Touge' Theme Song: 6th Digital Single 'Inochi Inochi Inochi'
・Link Fire
https://orcd.co/sakaki-mei
・Nao Sakaki - Inochi Inochi Inochi ('Shisei no Touge' short drama ver.)
https://youtu.be/MZWdp1BLpEI
・Nao Sakaki