Toronto Film Festival 2024 Review

As an anime and Japanese cinema enthusiast, you’d think Japan would be a paradise for me. Anime is splashed across buildings, hotels, and theme parks like Universal Studios Japan. But, like many countries, even my own, the United Kingdom, there is an underlying issue that infects places like Japan: xenophobia. This is very prevalent in countries like Japan, and even in the UK, we’ve recently experienced it with the growing fear of immigrants and asylum seekers. With this rise in fear and concern for safety comes a critical question: What would you sacrifice for freedom? Happyend asks us what rights people would give up in exchange for safety. Would people allow cameras to monitor them everywhere they go? What if a phone could scan faces and pull up every piece of information the government has on a person? Happyend paints a haunting yet fascinating picture of a dystopian future.

Happyend follows two high school students, Yuta and Kou, after they attend a party that gets busted by the police. They sneak into their high school after hours to hang out and use the DJ equipment. While enjoying their free time, they decide to prank the principal. However, this single act leads to massive consequences that affect the entire school. A constantly active security system is installed, and if anyone does something the system deems out of line, they lose a point. This sends our two protagonists down very different paths: one seeks to fight for change as the country adopts increasingly fascist policies, while the other believes things will only get worse, so they might as well live life to the fullest.

Happyend explores the idea of keeping Japan “safe” from immigrants, painting a haunting and realistic picture of how laws can strip people of their rights in the name of “safety”—even when there’s no actual threat. The film asks, What if something happens? It’s a deterrent for a problem that may never have existed. The motif of earthquakes is used to signify shifts in the political landscape. An earthquake leads to the introduction of a security system in the school, and when another earthquake occurs, it justifies police violence against peaceful protesters.

The rise of fascism is something we’re likely to see more of in media as a red wave spreads across the globe. Happyend serves as a warning for today’s youth. This is illustrated through Yuta and Kou, who stand on opposing sides: one believes activism can lead to change, while the other is more cynical. Their ideological clash is portrayed beautifully through the outstanding performances of Hayato Kurihara and Yukito Hidaka, who bring their characters to life in a truly awe-inspiring way. Happyend takes a clear stance on these issues, presenting its message through Yuta and Kou, and delivering a film with real impact.

I believe this is achieved through Neo Sora’s brilliant script and direction. There is a level of confidence throughout Happyend that is deeply empathetic to the issues being discussed. Sora hits each moment with laser precision, so when events unfold, they have a powerful impact every single time. The film also incorporates a welcome layer of humor, highlighting the idea that everything feels like fun and games—until reality hits you square in the jaw.

Happyend ultimately ends on a positive note. The film could have easily taken a more cynical approach, but it doesn’t. Instead, it shows that the future is bright, as long as we stand up for freedom.