The highly anticipated anime film, “Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise,” has released a new collaboration music video for its theme song, “A Miracle-like Thing,” offering fresh glimpses into the brutal World War II drama ahead of its December 5, 2025 premiere in Japan. The music video, performed by singer and actress Mone Kamishiraishi, integrates new footage from the film, further illustrating the poignant narrative of soldiers caught in the harrowing Battle of Peleliu.
The Emotional Theme Song: “A Miracle-like Thing”
The film’s theme song, “A Miracle-like Thing,” is performed by the talented Mone Kamishiraishi, known for her expressive vocal delivery. The lyrics for the powerful track were penned by Kiyosaku of the band MONGOL800, with composition handled by Kazuyo Suzuki. Kamishiraishi expressed her honor in contributing to a work commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, noting how the song evokes the island’s atmosphere and serves as a bridge to the present. She also highlighted the original manga’s impact, particularly the protagonist Tamaru’s recurring phrase, “Look carefully and think,” hoping the film will inspire similar reflection.
The music video visually complements the song’s emotional depth, weaving together Kamishiraishi’s performance with previously unseen segments from the anime film. These new clips are expected to provide further insight into the characters’ struggles and the harsh realities they face on Peleliu Island. The integration of the song with pivotal scenes aims to amplify the film’s core themes of camaraderie, survival, and the profound human cost of war.
“Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” Film Overview
“Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” is an anime film adaptation of Kazuyoshi Takeda’s acclaimed manga series. The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on December 5, 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Produced by Shin-Ei Animation and Fugaku, with Gorō Kuji directing, the film promises a vivid portrayal of one of the Pacific War’s most brutal battles.
A Story of Survival on a Brutal Battlefield
The narrative of “Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise” is set in the summer of 1944 on Peleliu Island, a significant battleground during World War II. The story centers on Private Hitoshi Tamaru, a 22-year-old Japanese soldier who harbors dreams of becoming a manga artist. He finds himself thrust into the heart of an unforgiving conflict, where 10,000 Japanese soldiers were instructed to resist an onslaught of 40,000 American forces, with only 34 Japanese troops ultimately surviving.
Tamaru is assigned the grim duty of a “merit officer,” tasked with recording and reporting the final moments of his comrades to their families. The film explores the struggles of these young men as they fight for survival, grapple with their duties, and forge fragile bonds amidst the despair and brutality of the battlefield. Rihito Itagaki voices the protagonist Hitoshi Tamaru, while Tomoya Nakamura lends his voice to Kasuke Yoshiki, Tamaru’s superior and close friend. The manga, known for its stark contrast between seemingly cute character designs and the horrific reality of warfare, received the Excellence Award at the 46th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. The film aims to realistically depict the devastating truths of the battlefield, drawing from extensive interviews with survivors and researchers.
