BUMP OF CHICKEN Song in Pixar’s Elio

The song “Ribbon” by the four-member rock band “BUMP OF CHICKEN” has been selected as the Japanese ending song for Pixar’s latest film “Elio, the Link Between Stars.” The Japanese trailer using the song has been released.

This film is a moving story about the growth of a lonely boy named Elio through an epic adventure that connects stars across the galaxy and an encounter that changes his fate. Elio, a boy who loves space, lost his parents and felt lonely. Somewhere in this vast world, there must be a “true place to belong.” Elio’s sad wish is heard, and he is invited to the dreamlike “Communiverse” where representatives of the stars gather. There, he meets Grodon, an alien boy who is just as lonely.

The film is directed by Madeline Sharafian, who worked as a story artist on “Coco,” Dommy Shi, who directed “Me and the Red Panda,” and Adrian Molina, who worked on “Coco” as a writer and co-director.

In the Japanese dubbed version, Kawahara Eito plays the protagonist, the boy Elio, Sato Sora plays the kind-hearted alien boy Grodon, and Kiyohara Nana plays Orga, who becomes Elio’s parent figure. In addition, comedian Watanabe Naomi will appear in both the original US version and the Japanese dubbed version as Orva, a bright and passionate ambassador from a peace-loving planet.

The trailer depicts the beautiful and colorful “world of stars” depicted with Pixar’s unique imaging technology. Since the death of his parents, Elio has felt lonely and unable to fit in with the people around him, and he becomes fascinated by the beautiful world of stars. Even though his aunt Olga tries to get closer to Elio, Elio builds a wall around him, saying, “My family is gone.” Believing that he will surely meet “someone” somewhere in the wide world, he looks up at the night sky alone every day. One day, Elio’s sad wish is answered, and he arrives at the dreamlike world “Communiverse” that connects the stars.

Elio is welcomed by aliens and items with shapes he has never seen before. Then, in the Communiverse, he meets Grodon, an alien boy who feels lonely just like him. Elio says, “I want you to know the real me,” and Grodon responds, “I love you just the way you are.” The two of them connect with each other in a place separated by light years, and become true “friends” for the first time, but the Communiverse is in danger of collapse.

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“Elio, the Stranded Star” Japanese version trailer | Japanese version end song “Ribbon” performed by BUMP OF CHICKEN | Released in theaters on Friday, August 1st

“Bump of Chicken’s” “Ribbon” was released as a digital single in 2017, the 20th anniversary of the band’s formation. The song tells the story of the members, who were childhood friends since kindergarten, and have been running through their lives while confirming their “bonds = connections,” and sings about the important “bonds” that have been made over and over again, even when they seem like they might come undone, just like a ribbon.

The director and producers of this film also said, “I’m sure everyone has had moments when they feel like they don’t belong in this world and are all alone. You’re not the only one who feels that way. We hope this film will give you the courage to love your true self and help you realize the important connections that gently embrace you as you are.” As this song matches the message of the film, it was chosen as the Japanese ending song.

BUMP OF CHICKEN, who are big fans of Disney and Pixar films, said, “When we received the offer, all of the members were surprised and thrilled and were overjoyed. We want to tell our younger selves back when we were talking enthusiastically about how amazing and fun “Toy Story” was when it was first released.”

The members, who had a sneak preview of the finished version, commented, “We laughed and cried many times, and after the show we all shared our emotions with each other. We are truly happy to have been involved in such a wonderful work by Disney and Pixar, which we love so much. We definitely want to go see it again when it’s released.”

“Elio in a Chain of Stars” will be released on August 1st. The full comment from “BUMP OF CHICKEN” is as follows.

【”BUMP OF CHICKEN”】

Thank you for choosing our song “Ribbon” as the Japanese ending song for “Elio in a Chain of Stars”. Disney and Pixar have released many masterpieces, and we have always loved them from the past to the present, so when we received the offer, all of us were surprised and excited and were very excited. I want to tell our younger selves when we were talking about how amazing and interesting “Toy Story” was when it was first released. I was able to see “Elio in a Chain of Stars” a little early, and I laughed and cried many times, and after the show, we all shared our impressions. I am truly happy to be involved in such a wonderful work by Disney and Pixar, which I love so much. I definitely want to go see it again when it is released.

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A Beloved Japanese Rock Band Meets the Magic of Pixar

The collaboration between Pixar and BUMP OF CHICKEN marks a rare and meaningful cultural bridge in global animation. Known for their emotional depth and poetic lyrics, BUMP OF CHICKEN’s music has long resonated with Japanese audiences. Using one of their classic songs as the Japanese ending theme for Elio, the Lost Child suggests Pixar’s intent to localize the emotional experience in a way that speaks directly to its Japanese viewers. This could also spark greater interest in the film from anime and J-rock fans alike, as well as signal a growing trend of integrating established Japanese artists in major international releases.