is a 2015 Japanese animated

science fiction film Science fiction (or sci-fi) is a film genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial lifeforms, spacecraft, robots, cyborgs, interstellar ...

directed by

Michael Arias Michael Arias (born 1968) is an American-born filmmaker active primarily in Japan. Though Arias has worked variously as visual effects artist, animation software developer, and producer, he is best known for his directorial debut, the anime f ...

and

Takashi Nakamura is an accomplished Japanese animator and anime director. He is also a founding member of the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) labor group. Nakamura's 2001 film ''A Tree of Palme'' was an official selection of the Berlin Film Festi ...

, animated by

Studio 4°C is a Japanese animation studio founded by Eiko Tanaka and Koji Morimoto in 1986. The name comes from the temperature at which water is most dense. History Studio 4 °C has produced numerous feature films, OVAs, and shorts. Early film titl ...

and based on the novel of the same name by

Project Itoh , real name , was a Japanese science fiction writer and essayist. History Itō was born in Tokyo and graduated from the Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Musashino Art University. While working as a web designer, he wrote ''Genocidal Or ...

. The film was released on November 13, 2015. Two other anime films based on novels by the same author were released: ''

The Empire of Corpses is a 2015 Japanese science fiction adventure anime film produced by Wit Studio and directed by Ryoutarou Makihara. The movie is the first of a series of films based on novels written by Project Itoh, followed by ''Harmony'' and ''Genocidal Organ ...

'' on October 2, 2015 and ''

Genocidal Organ is the debut novel of Japanese science fiction writer Project Itoh. It was first published by Hayakawa Publishing in 2007 and later re-printed in 2010 in paperback form. A poll by the yearly SF magazine ''SF ga yomitai'' ranked ''Genocidal Orga ...

'' on February 3, 2017.

Synopsis

In the future, after a nuclear cataclysm referred to as the "Maelstrom" and ensuing civil wars that almost wiped out humanity, peace and utopia have finally been achieved. Beyond country boundaries, society is controlled by the "Admedistration" and its WatchMe medical

nanotechnology Nanotechnology, also shortened to nanotech, is the use of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale for industrial purposes. The earliest, widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular technological goal o ...

, devoted to protecting and extending human life, and is governed by a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. In Japan, three young women—Cian Reikado, Miach Mihie, and Tuan Kirie, the protagonist—reject this supposed "utopia" that lacks any true form of personal autonomy, and attempt suicide together, thereby committing the crime of rejecting life itself. While Miach succeeds in her attempt, Tuan and Cian are saved at the last moment. Thirteen years later, Tuan is working as a senior investigator for the

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of h ...

, but remains faithful to her ideas and delights in punishing her body. When she re-encounters her friend Cian and they recall their suicide pact and the loss of Miach, events unfold that will once again force Tuan to question her world and discover the truth behind this "perfect" world.

Voice cast

Release

The film was released on November 13, 2015, taking the release date of ''

'' due to the latter's delay, moving from the previous release date of December 4. Funimation has picked up the license for Harmony. It was released in the U.S. on May 17–18, 2016 in a two-day engagement.

References

External links

"Harmony" anime movie official website
by

Funimation Films Page
* * {{Noitamina 2015 science fiction films 2015 anime films Aniplex Films based on Japanese novels Funimation Japanese animated science fiction films Noitamina Studio 4°C LGBT-related animated films LGBT in anime and manga Films scored by Yoshihiro Ike 2015 LGBT-related films Chechen wars films Animated dystopian films