What Is The Kirishima Thing About?
The premise of The Kirishima Thing in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a bustling high‑school where achievement and popularity intersect, the sudden disappearance of Kirishima—the charismatic second‑year captain of the volleyball team, top student and boyfriend of the school’s most admired girl—creates a ripple of uncertainty that touches every corner of campus life. His absence is felt not only on the court but in the whispered corridors, where rumors begin to swirl and friendships are quietly tested.
The volleyball squad must adjust to new roles, with a smaller teammate stepping into the libero position and the team’s competitive spirit strained by the loss of its leader. Meanwhile, the film club, still reeling from a humiliating assembly mock‑ery, decides to channel its energy into an ambitious zombie‑movie project, seeking both creativity and redemption. Across the hallway, the brass band’s ambitious captain, Sawajima, practices saxophone melodies in hopes of catching the eye of a fellow musician, unintentionally intersecting with the film crew’s chaotic rehearsals.
At the same time, the badminton club offers a different kind of focus. Maeda, the film club’s head, encounters Kasumi, whose respect and curiosity about the zombie film ignite a subtle attraction, even as he discovers her secret relationship with Ryuta, one of Kirishima’s close friends. The social circles surrounding Risa, the missing star’s girlfriend, and Sana, the popular girl who dates Risa’s boyfriend, begin to fray, revealing hidden jealousies and alliances that ripple through the student body.
Against this backdrop of teenage ambition, looming expectations, and the lingering mystery of a beloved peer’s vanishing, the film blends humor with tension, capturing the pulse of a school teetering between ordinary routines and the unsettling possibility that something deeper lies just out of sight. The atmosphere is one of restless curiosity, inviting viewers to wonder how the intertwined lives will respond to the silence left behind.
What Happens in The Kirishima Thing?
The complete story of The Kirishima Thing, from the first scene to the last, in 563 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Kirishima is a popular second-year high school student who leads the school’s volleyball team, excels in classes, and is dating one of the school’s most popular girls. One day, he vanishes from the routine of school life, and rumors begin to circle that he might be quitting the volleyball club. This sudden silence creates a ripple effect through his friends, his team, and the wider social circles.
The same day, the school’s film club becomes the butt of jokes during morning assembly for the title of a romantic film they were forced to create by a teacher. Despite the teacher’s wishes, the group decides to push forward and begin filming a zombie movie, hoping the project might unite them or at least give the club a chance to shine. During this tense filming session, they cross paths with Sawajima, Suzuka Ohgo, the captain of the brass band. Sawajima has a crush on Hiroki, Masahiro Higashide, Kirishima’s best friend and Sana’s boyfriend, and she tries to win his attention by casually playing saxophone in his view. Her efforts, however, miss the mark with the boys and instead cause disruptions that complicate the film club’s delicate balance.
In Kirishima’s absence, Koizumi, Taiga Nakano, is moved into the libero role for the volleyball team. Over the weekend, Kirishima remains unreachable, and tensions flare as the volleyball team suffers a defeat against another school. The loss fuels Kubo, Nobuyuki Suzuki, who blames Koizumi and Kirishima for the setback, stirring up resentment and frustration within the group.
Away from school, Maeda, Ryunosuke Kamiki, the head of the film club, runs into Kasumi, Ai Hashimoto, a member of the badminton club who treats him with respect and shows an unusual interest in the zombie film project. Maeda finds himself developing feelings for Kasumi, but the situation becomes complicated when he learns she is secretly dating Kirishima’s friend Ryuta, Motoki Ochiai. Meanwhile, Mika, Kurumi Shimizu, from the badminton club, offers quiet sympathy for Koizumi, understanding the pressure he faces from Kubo and the others.
As the social circles around Kirishima begin to fracture, Risa’s world experiences a quiet upheaval. Sana enjoys watching the volleyball clan’s conflicts, which irritates Mika, while Mika, in turn, feels frustration when Risa cannot reach Kirishima. The tension among friends and couples grows, creating a fragile, unsettled atmosphere that colors every interaction.
Sawajima overhears Sana and Hiroki planning to meet after school and heads to their meeting spot ahead of them to play saxophone again, unintentionally disrupting the planned rendezvous. The film club, deciding to move filming to the school roof for a change of pace, heads there. When Sana arrives to find Sawajima waiting, she kisses Hiroki out of jealousy, and Sawajima runs off, feeling the sting of the moment.
Back in the school gym, Kubo’s temper boils over as he confronts Koizumi. Just before a blow lands, Tomohiro, Kodai Asaka, races in with the news that Kirishima is on the roof. In a rush of fear and concern, Kirishima’s friends—the volleyball team’s boys, the badminton club’s girls, and the pair of Risa and Sana—race to the rooftop, only to find the film club there with no sign of Kirishima. The confrontation that follows leaves the group exposed, and Kubo channels his anger into a loud, emotional brawl that strips away pretenses and reveals the raw feelings each character has been suppressing throughout the week.
The Kirishima Thing Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Kirishima's double life: captain and sweetheart” to “Final rooftop confrontation and emotional reveal”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Kirishima's double life: captain and sweetheart
Kirishima is a popular second-year who leads the volleyball team, excels in academics, and is dating one of the school's most popular girls. His sudden vanishing leaves friends and teachers perplexed as rumors swirl that he might be quitting the team. The absence creates a ripple effect through his social circles, testing loyalties and friendships.
When:Morning (Day of disappearance) Where:School
- 2
Rumors spread about Kirishima's fate
With Kirishima missing, classmates speculate about why he vanished and whether the volleyball star has walked away from the club. The rumors intensify scrutiny on his friends and the team, fracturing routines and trust. The school atmosphere grows tense as whispers replace normal chatter.
When:Morning Where:School corridors, classrooms
- 3
Film club ridiculed during assembly; decides to film a zombie movie
During morning assembly, the film club is teased for the romantic film they were forced to make by a teacher. Despite the mockery, they resolve to push forward with their project and pivot to a zombie movie. The decision marks a turning point, giving the club a shared goal amid the chaos.
When:Morning Where:School auditorium
- 4
Sawajima disrupts Hiroki's view with saxophone
Sawajima, the brass band captain, has a crush on Hiroki and tries to capture his attention by casually playing saxophone around him. Her efforts frustrate the guys and throw the film club's delicate balance off-kilter. The interference foreshadows tension between social circles.
When:That afternoon Where:Corridors/near rehearsal spaces
- 5
Koizumi moves into libero role after Kirishima's absence
With Kirishima missing, Koizumi steps into the libero position for the volleyball team, shifting the team's dynamics. The shift puts more pressure on Koizumi and affects team chemistry. The rest of the players must adapt quickly to the new arrangement.
When:During practice (after disappearance) Where:Volleyball court
- 6
Weekend: Kirishima unreachable; volleyball defeat
Over the weekend, Kirishima remains unreachable, intensifying concern among his teammates. The volleyball squad suffers a defeat against another school, deepening the group's unease. The loss fuels tensions and lays bare fault lines within the team.
When:Weekend Where:Volleyball court / opponent's gym
- 7
Kubo's anger boils over; blame shifts to Koizumi and Kirishima
Kubo's temper erupts in response to the setback, and he directs his ire at Koizumi and Kirishima. The accusation creates resentment and fuels confrontations within the group. The incident exposes how pressure from failure strains friendships.
When:Post-defeat Where:Gym / locker room
- 8
Maeda meets Kasumi; uneasy romance begins
Away from school, Maeda the film club head encounters Kasumi, a badminton club member who shows unexpected interest. He begins to develop feelings for her, but learns she secretly dates Kirishima's friend Ryuta. The budding romance adds complication to his loyalties.
When:Over the weekend Where:Out of school, near practice fields
- 9
Risa's world unsettled; Sana and Mika's tensions deepen
As Kirishima's absence disrupts social circles, Risa's life experiences quiet upheaval. Sana enjoys watching the volleyball clan's conflicts, which irritates Mika, who feels frustrated when Risa cannot reach Kirishima. The closeness and rivalry among couples fuel an anxious atmosphere.
When:During the week Where:School grounds / social circles
- 10
Sana and Hiroki plan a meetup; Sawajima tunes ahead
Sana and Hiroki plan to meet after school, but Sawajima overhears them and heads to their meeting spot to play saxophone ahead of time. Her intrusion disrupts the private moment and stirs jealousy. The incident heightens the already fragile web of relationships.
When:After school Where:After-school meeting spot
Show the other 5 events of The Kirishima Thing Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Film club relocates filming to the school roof
To change the pace and perhaps salvage the collaboration, the film club decides to move filming to the school roof. The elevated setting brings fresh energy but also new distractions as tensions linger.
When:Evening Where:School roof
- 12
Sana confronts jealousy on the roof; kiss erupts
When Sana arrives to find Sawajima waiting, she impulsively kisses Hiroki in a moment of jealousy. Sawajima leaves in pain, illustrating the fragility of affections within the group. The kiss crystallizes the rivalries and unsettled relationships.
When:Evening Where:School roof
- 13
Kubo's outburst returns to the gym; confrontation escalates
Back in the gym, Kubo's temper boils over again as he squares off with Koizumi. The argument exposes long-simmering resentments and tests friendships amidst rising tensions. The outburst signals how the strain of Kirishima's absence has fractured trust.
When:Evening Where:Gym
- 14
Tomohiro breaks the silence: Kirishima on the roof
Tomohiro races in with the news that Kirishima is on the roof, triggering a rush of emotions among the group. The team, the film club, and friends race to reach him, only to find him missing at that moment. The moment intensifies the mystery and fragility of their bonds.
When:Evening Where:Rooftop
- 15
Final rooftop confrontation and emotional reveal
Everyone converges on the rooftop to search for Kirishima, but he is nowhere to be found, revealing the broader emptiness in their relationships. A raw, emotional brawl ensues, stripping away pretenses and exposing honest feelings. The incident cements the fractures while underscoring the complex bonds among the students.
When:Evening Where:Rooftop
Who Are the Main Characters in The Kirishima Thing?
12 characters, among them Kirishima, Risa (Mizuki Yamamoto) and Hiroki Kikuchi (Masahiro Higashide): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 11 of them link to the actor’s page.
- K
Kirishima
A popular second-year student and volleyball captain whose sudden silence destabilizes his social circle. His absence exposes the fragility of friendships and the pressure to maintain the facade of perfection. The ripple effect touches teammates, rivals, and partners in the social web.
- 🏐 Volleyball captain
- 🎭 Popularity
- ⚖️ Pressure
-
Risa (Mizuki Yamamoto)
Played by Mizuki Yamamoto
A member of Kirishima's social circle who moves through school life with wary curiosity. She watches the fallout from Kirishima's disappearance and grapples with her own feelings as friendships shift. Her perspective adds a lens on how rumors and expectations shape behavior.
- 💬 Social dynamics
- ❤️ Relationships
- 🎭 Drama
-
Hiroki Kikuchi (Masahiro Higashide)
Played by Masahiro Higashide
Kirishima's best friend and Sana's boyfriend. He becomes a focal point for tension as Sawajima's quiet attempts to attract him collide with the group’s mood. His loyalty and choices test the friendships around him.
- 💞 Friendship
- 🏐 Team dynamics
- 🎭 Drama
-
Sana (Mayu Matsuoka)
Played by Mayu Matsuoka
One of the school’s popular students and a central figure in the social scene. She observes and participates in the group dynamics, including the love triangle and jealousy that surface as Kirishima's absence reshapes relationships.
- 💬 Social dynamics
- 💔 Jealousy
- ❤️ Romance
- KH
Kasumi Higashihara
Played by Ai Hashimoto
A badminton club member who treats Maeda with respect and shows curiosity about the film project. Her interest hinting at a budding connection and a quiet, observant presence within the student web.
- 🏸 Badminton
- 💬 Social dynamics
- ❤️ Interest
- KF
Koizume Fûsuke
Played by Taiga Nakano
The libero who steps up to fill Kirishima's volleyball role. He faces pressure from Kubo and peers, balancing skill with the expectations of the team. His persistence under stress reveals his resilience.
- 🏐 Volleyball
- 🤝 Team loyalty
- ⚖️ Pressure
- R
Ryuta
Played by Motoki Ochiai
A friend of Kirishima and Kasumi’s love interest; his relationship dynamic with Kasumi and other club members adds tension. He navigates trust, jealousy, and loyalty within the social circles.
- 💞 Relationship
- 🧭 Jealousy
- 🗣️ Secrets
- RM
Ryoya Maeda
Played by Ryunosuke Kamiki
Head of the film club and romantic foil for Maeda as he pursues Kasumi. He faces the challenge of turning a student film into a unifying project while managing complicated feelings.
- 🎬 Film club
- ❤️ Romance
- 🤝 Collaboration
- AS
Aya Sawashima
Played by Suzuka Ohgo
Captain of the brass band who has a crush on Hiroki and tries to catch his eye by playing saxophone. Her actions ripple through the dynamics of the group and intensify the emotional undercurrents.
- 🎷 Music
- 💘 Unrequited love
- 🎭 Drama
- T
Tomohiro
Played by Kodai Asaka
A classmate who arrives with urgent news about Kirishima's whereabouts, triggering a rush of concern. His entry marks a turning point that heightens the group's emotional release.
- 🗞️ News
- 🧭 Responsibility
- 🕵️ Drama
- C
Captain
Played by Shuhei Takahashi
A leader within the volleyball ranks who embodies authority and expectation. Their role amplifies the tensions as teammates react to Kirishima's absence and the shifting power balance.
- 🏆 Leadership
- 🧭 Pressure
- 🏐 Team
- MM
Mika Miyabe
Played by Kurumi Shimizu
A badminton club member who silently sympathizes with Koizume’s struggles. Her quiet empathy reveals the subtler emotional threads beyond the loudest conflicts.
- 🏸 Badminton
- 🫂 Sympathy
- 🎭 Drama
Where and When Is The Kirishima Thing Set?
The Kirishima Thing is set in Japanese high school. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Japanese high school
A bustling Japanese high school setting where students juggle sports, arts, and academics. The gym, rooftop, and club rooms become stages for friendships, rivalries, and quiet alliances. The school backdrop emphasizes the social hierarchies that drive rumor, competition, and collaboration among students.
- 🏫 High school
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🏟️ School life
What Are the Themes of The Kirishima Thing?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Social Pressure, Friendship and Identity.
-
01
Social Pressure
Rumors and expectations ripple through the student body as Kirishima's absence unsettles rivalries and changes the balance of power within the volleyball team and the film club. The film highlights how appearances and reputations shape decisions and relationships. Characters struggle to maintain facades while confronting underlying tensions beneath surface friendships.
-
02
Friendship
The story probes loyalty among teammates, club members, and couples as conflicts erupt and loyalties are tested. Friends defend, misunderstand, and recalibrate their bonds in the wake of Kirishima's disappearance. The film club's collaboration becomes a microcosm for trust, support, and shared goals amid pressure.
-
03
Identity
Characters navigate who they are within the roles assigned by school life—star athlete, aspiring filmmaker, or supportive friend. The absence of a central figure forces others to reveal true motivations beyond popularity. Ambition and self-definition clash with the fear of losing status or belonging, driving confrontations and decisions.
What Kind of Film Is The Kirishima Thing?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A tense and anxious high school drama that follows the ripple effects of a popular student's disappearance, creating a fragile and claustrophobic atmosphere as social circles fracture and raw emotions surface.
- anxious
- unsettled
- fragile
- claustrophobic
- melancholic
- raw
- high school drama
- social dynamics
- disappearance
- peer pressure
Quiz
How well do you remember The Kirishima Thing? Test yourself on the story.
