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Animated drama

Blue Giant (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Blue Giant (2023) movie poster

Blue Giant is a 2023 animated drama directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, starring Amane Okayama, Yûki Yamada and Shôtarô Mamiya. It is partly based on Blue Giant Omnibus Vols. 1–2 by Shinichi Ishizuka and Daniel Komen. It runs 2 hours and earned $6.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$6.9M
Echo Score
86
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Blue Giant (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Yuzuru Tachikawa
Genres
Animation , Drama , Music
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Nut
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Blue Giant About?

The premise of Blue Giant without spoilers, adapted from Blue Giant Omnibus Vols. 1–2 by Shinichi Ishizuka and Daniel Komen.

Leaving behind his basketball aspirations, Dai Miyamoto pursues his dream of becoming a jazz saxophone player in Tokyo. The story follows his journey from a quiet upbringing to the bustling and competitive world of the city's jazz clubs. To achieve his goal of becoming a legend, Dai must overcome challenges and discover the true meaning of ambition and dedication within the vibrant, neon-lit landscape.

Blue Giant Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • based on manga
  • color in title
  • jazz
  • song
  • middle school
  • school
  • student
  • life
  • trumpet
  • saxophone
  • drum
  • band
+9 more
  • group
  • trio
  • dream
  • education
  • piano
  • performer
  • stage
  • anime animation
  • seinen anime animation
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Cast & crew

Blue Giant Cast & Characters

Amane Okayama leads the cast, with Yûki Yamada and Shôtarô Mamiya as Yukinori Sawabe. Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa.

From the director

More from Yuzuru Tachikawa

More films directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa: Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine, Detective Conan: Amuro Secret Call, Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer and Death Billiards.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blue Giant Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blue Giant 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in art & craft (78).

86 /100

Blue Giant Echo Score Breakdown

Blue Giant delivers a largely uplifting cinematic experience, driven by its vibrant musical core and strong emotional resonance. Critics and audiences alike commend the film’s animation and soundtrack, while noting occasional rough CGI moments that slightly detract from visual cohesion. The narrative’s focused journey and compelling character dynamics maintain engagement throughout. In sum, the film stands as a positively received celebration of jazz with minor technical imperfections.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the animation is frequently praised for its vivid colour use and striking frames that echo live performance energy. Reviewers highlight moments of jaw‑dropping visual beauty, yet some note uneven rough animation and intrusive CG transitions. Overall, the visual execution leans strongly positive despite isolated flaws.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When evaluating character and emotion, critics describe the protagonists as relatable and infused with palpable passion, while users commend nuanced voice performances that convey deep feeling. The chemistry among the musicians is consistently identified as solid, fostering audience investment. Minor criticism is absent, resulting in an overwhelmingly favorable assessment of character work.

  • Story & Flow 80

    Regarding story and flow, reviewers emphasize the film’s focused narrative that tracks an aspiring saxophonist’s quest without extraneous subplots. The plot’s originality lies in its integration of live jazz performances, which many find engaging and emotionally charged. Some note a trope‑laden framework, but overall the storytelling is regarded as compelling and well‑paced.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    The sensory experience is highlighted by an acclaimed soundtrack that blends authentic jazz improvisation with orchestral support, creating an immersive auditory landscape. Visual style receives commendation for its dynamic concert sequences and fluid animation, though occasional CGI intrusions are cited as mildly distracting. Collectively, the sound and visual elements are viewed as a major strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    Rewatch factor considerations note the film’s lasting appeal, driven by its emotive music and resonant themes of ambition. Audiences report a desire to experience the concert visuals and soundtrack again, and critics suggest it stands out among recent animated releases. Minor visual inconsistencies do not significantly diminish its repeat‑viewing value.

Box office

Blue Giant Box Office

Blue Giant grossed $6.9 million worldwide. $266,645 came from the US and Canada and $6.7 million (96%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.9M

US & Canada
$266.6K
International
$6.7M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

Blue Giant Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Blue Giant.

Official Trailer [Subtitled]
Details

Blue Giant Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “ブルージャイアント” and “蓝色巨星”.

Also known as
  • ブルージャイアント
  • 蓝色巨星
  • 蓝色巨人
  • 藍色巨星
  • 블루 자이언트
  • BLUE GIANT 藍色巨星
  • Синий гигант
  • เป่าฝันให้เต็มฟ้า
  • Блакитний гігант
  • العملاق الأزرق

Seen Blue Giant?

FAQ

Blue Giant FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Blue Giant, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blue Giant?

Blue Giant runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Blue Giant released?

Blue Giant was released on October 8, 2023.

Who directed Blue Giant?

Blue Giant was directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa.

More films by Yuzuru Tachikawa

Who is in the cast of Blue Giant?

Blue Giant stars Amane Okayama, Yûki Yamada and Shôtarô Mamiya as Yukinori Sawabe.

How much did Blue Giant make at the box office?

Blue Giant grossed $6.9 million worldwide ($266,645 domestic, $6.7 million international).

How is Blue Giant rated?

Blue Giant has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Is Blue Giant based on a book?

Yes. Blue Giant is partly adapted from Blue Giant Omnibus Vols. 1–2 by Shinichi Ishizuka and Daniel Komen.

Does Blue Giant have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Blue Giant has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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