Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop

{{Short description|2020 Japanese animated film by Kyōhei Ishiguro}}

{{Infobox film

| image = Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop key visual.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| native_name = {{Infobox Japanese

| kanji = サイダーのように言葉が湧き上がる

| revhep = Saidā no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru

}}

| director = Kyōhei Ishiguro

| producer = {{ubl|Yoshimoto Ishikawa|Hiroyuki Birukawa|Satoshi Fukao|Motoki Mukaichi|Shūzō Kasahara|Atsushi Koishikawa}}

| writer = {{ubl|Kyōhei Ishiguro|Dai Satō}}

| starring = {{ubl|Ichikawa Somegorō|Hana Sugisaki|Megumi Han|Natsuki Hanae|Yūichirō Umehara|Megumi Nakajima}}

| music = Kensuke Ushio

| cinematography = {{ubl|Kōhei Tanada|Yoshihiro Sekiya}}

| studio = {{ubl|Sublimation|Signal.MD}}

| distributor = {{ubl|Shochiku (Japan)|Netflix (international)}}

| released = {{Film date|2020|07|25|Shanghai International Film Festival|2021|07|22|Worldwide}}

| runtime = 87 minutes

| country = Japan

| language = Japanese

}}

{{nihongo|Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop|サイダーのように言葉が湧き上がる|Saidā no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru|lead=yes}} is a Japanese animated slice-of-life romantic comedy-drama film produced by Sublimation and Signal.MD and directed by Kyōhei Ishiguro. It premiered at the 2020 Shanghai International Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/shanghai-film-festival-first-titles-1234710421/|title=Shanghai Film Festival Unveils First Titles|work=Variety|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=July 19, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2021|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924060320/https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/shanghai-film-festival-first-titles-1234710421/|url-status=live}} It was released to Japanese theaters on July 22, 2021, and on Netflix the same day internationally. Set in a rural part of Japan with a large shopping mall, the film follows two people who have trouble communicating with others. Yui "Cherry" Sakura is a shy boy who can only express himself well through his writing of haiku. Yuki, aka "Smile", covers her mouth with a mask to hide her braces that try to fix her buckteeth and is an online influencer. A fateful meeting at the mall starts a romance between them.

Plot

At the local Oda Nouvelle Mall, Yui "Cherry" Sakura is working at an elderly care center for summer break. Cherry is a quiet and reserved boy who prefers to write haikus to express his feelings but struggles with reciting them in front of an audience. Amidst a chaotic chase between delinquent Beaver and the mall security, Cherry accidentally swaps phones with Smile, an online influencer who wears a face mask to hide her buckteeth. The pair connect online, and eventually start to meet in-person, taking an interest in each other's hobbies.

Smile starts working at the elderly care center and helps in rehearsing the Daruma Folk Song for the upcoming summer festival at the mall. Fujiyama, a vintage record shop owner and regular at the care center, tells Cherry and Smile of his wish to listen to the record "YAMAZAKURA" one more time, of which he only has the album cover. Cherry and Smile decide to help Fujiyama in finding the record and find out that it is a music recording made by Fujiyama's late wife.

Surmising that the record may be hidden somewhere in the shop, Cherry and Smile employ the help of several friends at the mall and scour the entire place, finally finding the record behind a refrigerator. While making preparations to play the record, Smile asks Cherry to watch the fireworks at the summer festival together, and Cherry accepts. However, Smile shortly after shatters the record while attempting to flatten it.

The next day, Cherry and Smile decide to apologize to Fujiyama once more but are sidetracked when it is discovered that Cherry will be moving away on the day of the festival. Disappointed, Smile bids farewell to an ashamed Cherry.

On the day of the festival, Smile presents Fujiyama with a reassembled record as an apology and is shocked to find a working copy repurposed as a wall clock in the elderly care center. Reenergized by this revelation, Smile devises a plan to play the record during the care center's performance at the summer festival. As Cherry's family car drives past the mall, he sees his haiku written about Smile spray painted on the street signs by Beaver. Mustering his courage, Cherry races to the festival and confesses his feelings for Smile in the form of several haikus, some of which were inspired by "YAMAZAKURA." As the fireworks show starts, Smile reciprocates by taking off her mask and revealing her smile.

In the post-credits scene, Cherry and Smile share a kiss while the old record plays.

Voice cast

class="wikitable"
Character ! Japanese voice ! English voice
Cherry/Kouichi "Yui" Sakura \| {{ill\|Ichikawa Somegorō VIII\|lt=\|ja\|市川染五郎_(8代目)}} \| Ivan Mok
Smile/Yuki \| Hana Sugisaki \| Kim Wong
Beaver \| Megumi Han \| Sam Lavagnino
Japan \| Natsuki Hanae \| Marcus Toji
Yasuyuki/Toughboy \| Yūichirō Umehara \| Andrew Kishino
Juri \| Megumi Nakajima \| Victoria Grace
Mari \| Sumire Morohoshi \| Yuuki Luna
Akiko Fujiyama \| Kōichi Yamadera \| Ping Wu
Tsubaki Fujiyama \| Kikuko Inoue \| Kim Mai Guest
Tanaka \| Aya Hisakawa \|
Kouchi \| Hiroshi Kamiya \|
Motopuri \| Junichi Yanagita \|
Maria \| Maaya Sakamoto \|
Miyuki \| Manami Numakura \|
Akiko Matsushita \| Minori Suzuki \|
Sae \| Nanako Mori \|
Nami \| Shizuka Itō \|
Kanta \| Yasuaki Takumi \|

class="wikitable"

Character

! Japanese voice

! English voice

Cherry/Kouichi "Yui" Sakura

| {{ill|Ichikawa Somegorō VIII|lt=|ja|市川染五郎_(8代目)}}

| Ivan Mok

Smile/Yuki

| Hana Sugisaki

| Kim Wong

Beaver

Japan

Yasuyuki/Toughboy

Juri

| Victoria Grace

Mari

| Sumire Morohoshi

| Yuuki Luna

Akiko Fujiyama

| Kōichi Yamadera

| Ping Wu

Tsubaki Fujiyama

Tanaka

Kouchi

Motopuri

| Junichi Yanagita

Maria

Miyuki

Akiko Matsushita

Sae

Nami

Kanta

Production and release

The film was originally announced at FlyingDog's Inu Fes concert. At the concert, it was also announced to be directed by Kyōhei Ishiguro, with animation production by Sublimation and Signal.MD, scripts by Dai Satō, character designs by Yukiko Aikei, and music by Kensuke Ushio.{{cite web|title=Signal MD, Sublimation Make Cider no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru Anime Film|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-02/signal-md-sublimation-make-cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-anime-film/.142921|website=Anime News Network|last=Loo|first=Egan|date=February 2, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202183348/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-02/signal-md-sublimation-make-cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-anime-film/.142921|url-status=live}} In December 2019, it was announced that it would open in Japanese theaters on May 15, 2020, and would star Ichikawa Somegorō VIII and Hana Sugisaki.{{cite web|title=Cider no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru Romance Anime Film Unveils Cast, Story, May 15 Debut|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-22/cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-romance-anime-film-unveils-cast-story-may-15-debut/.154666|website=Anime News Network|last=Loo|first=Egan|date=December 22, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426141445/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-12-22/cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-romance-anime-film-unveils-cast-story-may-15-debut/.154666|url-status=live}} In April 2020, it was announced the film would be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Film Delayed Due to Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 Declaration|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-04-14/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-delayed-due-to-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-declaration/.158566|website=Anime News Network|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=April 14, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505130047/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-04-14/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-delayed-due-to-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-declaration/.158566|url-status=live}} In November 2020, it was announced the film would premiere on June 25, 2021, following the delay.{{cite web|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Film to Open on June 25 After COVID-19 Delay|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-03/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-to-open-on-june-25-after-covid-19-delay/.165920|website=Anime News Network|last=Loo|first=Egan|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629121616/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-03/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-to-open-on-june-25-after-covid-19-delay/.165920|url-status=live}} After being delayed again, the film opened in Japanese theaters on July 22, 2021.{{cite web|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Film's New Trailers Reveal New July 22 Opening Date (Updated)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-27/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-new-trailers-reveal-new-july-22-opening-date/.171187|website=Anime News Network|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=March 27, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327092249/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-27/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-new-trailers-reveal-new-july-22-opening-date/.171187|url-status=live}} The film's main theme is "Cider no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru" performed by Never Young Beach.{{cite web|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Film's Special Video Previews never young beach's Theme Song|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-07-06/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-special-video-previews-never-young-beach-theme-song/.174857|website=Anime News Network|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=July 6, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727010216/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-07-06/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-special-video-previews-never-young-beach-theme-song/.174857|url-status=live}} The insert song for the film is "YAMAZAKURA", performed by city pop artist Taeko Onuki.{{cite web|title=サイダーのように言葉が湧き上がる / MUSIC / ARTIST|url=http://cider-kotoba.jp/music/artist.html|language=Japanese|access-date=December 28, 2021|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228072820/http://cider-kotoba.jp/music/artist.html|url-status=live}}

Internationally, the film was streamed on Netflix both dubbed and subbed, starting on the same day as the Japanese theatrical release.{{cite web|title=Netflix Streams Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Film on July 22|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-06-22/netflix-streams-words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-on-july-22/.174312|website=Anime News Network|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=June 22, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801085135/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-06-22/netflix-streams-words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop-film-on-july-22/.174312|url-status=live}}

=Manga adaptation=

A manga adaptation of the film by Imo Ōno started serialization in Monthly Comic Alive on November 27, 2019.{{cite web|title=Cider no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru Original Anime Film Gets Manga Adaptation|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-26/cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-original-anime-film-gets-manga-adaptation/.152664|website=Anime News Network|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=October 26, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628000150/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-26/cider-no-yo-ni-kotoba-ga-wakiagaru-original-anime-film-gets-manga-adaptation/.152664|url-status=live}} It ended in Monthly Comic Alive on March 27, 2021.

During their panel at New York Comic Con 2022, Yen Press announced that they have licensed both the manga and light novel adaptations.{{cite web|last1=Hodgkins|first1=Crystalyn|title=Yen Press Adds 10 New Works Including Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Manga, Sasaki and Miyano Novel|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-08/yen-press-adds-10-new-works-including-sugar-apple-fairy-tale-manga-sasaki-and-miyano-novel/.190637|website=Anime News Network|access-date=November 2, 2022|date=October 10, 2022|archive-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102124520/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-08/yen-press-adds-10-new-works-including-sugar-apple-fairy-tale-manga-sasaki-and-miyano-novel/.190637|url-status=live}}

Reception

{{RT data|prose}}{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2020)|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}}|type=m|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}

Kim Morrissy from Anime News Network praised the film's visuals, characters, and musical style, ultimately rating the film an A−.{{cite web|title=Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop/.166125|website=Anime News Network|last=Morrissy|first=Kim|date=July 22, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727010639/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/words-bubble-up-like-soda-pop/.166125|url-status=live}}

In 2020, the film was nominated for the Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film.{{cite web|title=Demon Slayer Film, Violet Evergarden Get Mainichi Film Award Animation Nods|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-23/demon-slayer-film-violet-evergarden-get-mainichi-film-award-animation-nods/.167759|website=Anime News Network|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=December 23, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225030037/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-23/demon-slayer-film-violet-evergarden-get-mainichi-film-award-animation-nods/.167759|url-status=live}} The film was also nominated for Best Film at the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.{{cite web|title=Crunchyroll Announces Nominees for 6th Annual Anime Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-01-18/crunchyroll-announces-nominees-for-6th-annual-anime-awards/.181663|website=Anime News Network|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118212940/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-01-18/crunchyroll-announces-nominees-for-6th-annual-anime-awards/.181663|url-status=live}}