NEWS

“CHIRU-CANVAS”: A Work Completed by Falling Blossoms

Ahead of the final episode of “Chapter: Fateful Showdown in Kyoto,” a special movie will be released on April 30 (Thu) via the official TBS YouTube channel and the drama’s official social media accounts. The video introduces both the production process and the completed visual of “CHIRU-CANVAS,” a newly developed expression method created specifically for this drama.
“CHIRU-CANVAS” is a unique technique in which a specially processed adhesive board is placed beneath fully blooming cherry blossom trees. As petals fall and adhere naturally to the board, the visual gradually takes shape and is ultimately completed.

This project expresses one of the core appeals of the series:
the way of life of the Shinsengumi, who burned their lives for their beliefs and fell in vivid brilliance, as well as the fleeting beauty of their “way of falling.”
Because the production relies entirely on nature—the condition of the blossoms and the weather—it came with many challenges. The team spent a total of 10 days attempting to capture the perfect timing of a cherry blossom storm.
In the completed visual, the silhouette of Toshizo Hijikata (played by Yuki Yamada) emerges alongside his iconic line:
“Bloom as much as you can—then fall.”
At the end of the special movie, memorable lines from Hijikata and his greatest adversary, Kamo Serizawa (played by Go Ayano), overlap. Notably, Serizawa’s line is original to the drama and does not appear in the original manga—it was born on set as an improvised line by Ayano during filming.
Watching the “CHIRU-CANVAS” special movie will undoubtedly make you want to experience the drama itself.

“CHIRU-CANVAS” was filmed in a location where fully blooming cherry blossoms and falling petals coexisted. The team carefully adjusted conditions so that petals would fall naturally onto the panel, waiting for the precise moment when a cherry blossom storm would occur. Dependent on both weather and blossoms, the production took a total of 10 days.

The final, decisive battle for the future of the Shinsengumi begins.
Bearing the hopes of his comrades, Soji Okita confronts Kamo Serizawa. Though he unleashes the “demon” within and fights, his manslayer’s blade is dismissed by Serizawa as “meaningless violence.” At the brink of death, the gravely wounded Isami Kondo rushes in, risking his life to protect his disciple.
Seeing his master’s resolve reminds Okita of the bond with Kondo, who once saved him when he was called a “demon child,” awakening him at last as a true swordsman.
Okita, now awakened, and Serizawa—who acknowledges him as “the highest form of violence”—engage in a fierce duel, watched by Hijikata.
Serizawa, a tyrant who sought only a place to fall and a warrior capable of killing him, meets his end with a satisfied smile, as if entrusting the future to Hijikata.
Having lost his greatest rival, Hijikata is left with emptiness. Yet before him appears Shinsaku Takasugi, a revolutionary from Choshu and a symbol of a new era. Calling himself “GOD” and seeking to destroy the old order, Takasugi becomes Hijikata’s new nemesis—once again igniting his blood.

At first, I simply thought, “They made a cherry blossom decoration.” But when I heard the behind-the-scenes story, I was surprised. They spent 10 days working while observing the weather and the condition of the blossoms. It’s only complete when the petals naturally fall and gather just right—honestly, they put so much emotion into it… (laughs).

Of course, it makes me incredibly happy when everyone watching supports the work and feels moved by it. But even more than that, the fact that the production team poured so much passion into this project—that alone makes me feel like it’s “full bloom cherry blossoms, full bloom Yamachan!” That’s what makes me happiest.

No matter how much we say “please watch it,” without knowing these kinds of stories, people might just pass by and think, “Oh, I see.” But once you understand this level of passion, even a single petal will surely look different.

This year, I didn’t have time to properly enjoy cherry blossom viewing. During that time, I had the opportunity to write a comment for the new album by DISH//, whose vocalist is Takumi Kitamura, who plays Takasugi Shinsaku. While listening to Takumi’s voice, I walked under the cherry blossoms. Around me, people were enjoying hanami, and petals were falling—it inevitably made me think of CHIRURAN.

For CHIRURAN, cherry blossoms are a very important presence. No matter how times change, there is always a history of people who truly lived. Petals scattered on the ground are something we might usually step on without thinking. But through this work, if people can take a moment to remember those who lived their lives to the fullest and fell, I would be very happy.

By watching “CHIRU-CANVAS,” whether it makes you think “I’m looking forward to next spring,” or inspires you to find something meaningful in your own life—that would be wonderful. In the end, life is about blooming as much as you can and then falling. In life, the one who blooms wins.

I hope this message reaches people all around the world. Please experience their story on U-NEXT and HBO Max.

Watch the full series here:
・U-NEXT:　https://www.video.unext.jp/po2/chiruran
・TVer:　https://tver.jp/series/srozs5n6nt
“Chapter: Youthful Days in Edo” Episodes 1 & 2 are also available on TVer for a limited time.