This film is based on the true story of journalist Akihiko Ito, who lived in Nagasaki and traveled across Japan collecting testimonies from atomic bomb survivors. The story of a fateful encounter brought about by the atomic bomb is written by screenwriter Shunsaku Ikehashi, known for the Taiga drama "Kirin ga Kuru" (2020), who hails from Hiroshima Prefecture.

Starring Yoshihiro Hondo, the film features a powerful ensemble cast including Shizuka Ishibashi, Ao Ito, Machiko Ono, Tetsushi Tanaka, and Sadao Abe.

When broadcast on NHK in August 2025 as a drama commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, it received widespread acclaim, winning the 34th Hashida Award (Reiwa 7), the August 2025 Galaxy Monthly Award from the Broadcasting Critics Association, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 76th Arts Selection Awards (Reiwa 7) for director Takeshi Shibata, the Encouragement Prize in the Drama Category at the 52nd Broadcasting Culture Foundation Awards, and ultimately the Grand Prize in the Television Category at the 63rd Galaxy Awards.

Now, the theatrical release has been announced, featuring additional scenes not shown in the broadcast version, allowing the characters' inner lives to be portrayed in greater depth and with more dimension.

A quiet yet powerful human drama that questions what it truly means to "convey" something—caught between the fading memories of the atomic bomb experience and the words that must be preserved. What do the voices buried in August's silence speak to us who live today? In conjunction with the theatrical release, a comment from Yoshihiro Hondo has been released.

We highly recommend experiencing this work in the theater, with its large screen and superb 5.1ch surround sound environment.

Comment from Yoshihiro Hondo:

I am truly delighted that "The Man Who Carries August's Voices" is now taking flight with the new wings of cinema.

Mr. Ito, who gazed up at the twinkling stars and resolved to collect the voices of souls, deeply contemplated the "truth of the atomic bombing"—something that cannot be quantified.

Anonymous songs continue to resonate in modern times because even unknown individuals can move hearts through their very breath. Likewise, Mr. Ito's quiet ambition is to crystallize these spoken voices into a shared heritage of humanity.

Feeling a similar ambition within Mr. Ikehashi's subtly profound script, I gave my all in performance, striving to create a powerful wave.

If even one more person could come to the theater, lend their heart to this urgent light of emotion, perhaps Mr. Ito, watching from above, might smile just a little… That is my hope.

STORY

There was a man who carried the voices of over 1,000 atomic bomb survivors into the future—

Japan in 1972, amid rapid economic growth. Every Japanese person was chasing prosperity. Defying the tide of that era, Tsuruhara Tamotsu (Yoshihiro Hondo), a journalist from a Nagasaki broadcasting station, began collecting the voices of atomic bomb survivors. However, at that time, memories of the atomic bomb were still too raw, and few were willing to speak of their tragic experiences. In such an era, documenting the survivors' experiences was a lonely and grueling task, misunderstood by those around him.

Amid this struggle, Tsuruhara has a fateful encounter with a survivor named Kuno Heiwa (Sadao Abe). Deeply moved by the "voice" Kuno shares, Tsuruhara's heart is shaken to its core. Yet, that "voice" is also filled with many mysteries.

This is a true story depicting the extraordinary meeting of two men, still haunted decades after the bomb was dropped, by the unrelenting memories of war.

<Work Information>

● Title: "The Man Who Carries August's Voices"

● Release Date: Starting August 21, 2026 (Fri), nationwide at TOHO Cinemas (excluding some theaters)

● Original Concept: Akihiko Ito, "Messages from the Future – A Biography of an A-Bomb Experience"

● Screenplay: Shunsaku Ikehashi

● Music: Yasuaki Shimizu

● Director: Takeshi Shibata

● Cast: Yoshihiro Hondo, Shizuka Ishibashi, Ao Ito, Machiko Ono, Tetsushi Tanaka, Sadao Abe

● Production & Distribution: WOWOW

● Runtime: 102 minutes

● EIRIN Rating: G

● Official Website: https://www.wowow.co.jp/film/august/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event