The music video for Kenshi Yonezu’s latest song “1991,” serving as the theme song for the live-action film “5 Centimeters per Second,” was released on October 15. Directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, who also helmed the film, the video captures Yonezu alone in a series of portrait-like shots surrounded by falling cherry blossoms and snow, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere.

Quick Summary

- Kenshi Yonezu’s “1991” music video premiered on October 15, 2025.
- The song serves as the theme for the live-action film “5 Centimeters per Second.”
- The MV was directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, who also directed the film itself.
- The video features Yonezu performing alone in a lyrical and symbolic setting.
- Okuyama described the MV as a visual portrait connecting Yonezu’s life with that of the film’s protagonist.

A Solo Portrait in Motion: The “1991” Music Video

The “1991” music video presents Kenshi Yonezu in a minimalist yet visually poetic style. Composed entirely of solo lip-sync scenes, the video captures the artist standing alone as cherry blossoms and snow drift around him. Directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, it mirrors the emotional depth of the film “5 Centimeters per Second,” which explores themes of distance, memory, and human connection. The simple yet evocative imagery gives the MV a portrait-like quality, emphasizing Yonezu’s raw presence and voice.

Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama on Creating Emotional Universality

Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama shared that Yonezu’s reaction to the completed film—saying it felt “as if it had been made just for me”—became the guiding inspiration for the MV. Okuyama explained that he aimed to express something deeply personal yet universally relatable through this collaboration. The music video, he said, serves as a portrait that intertwines Yonezu’s own life with that of the film’s protagonist, Takaki. The shifting camera angles symbolize emotions of meeting and parting, gradually opening toward a sense of hope and release.

Connecting the Film’s Emotions Through Music

According to Okuyama, the production aimed to visualize emotions that transcend words—loneliness, longing, and quiet joy. By portraying Yonezu alone against a backdrop of fleeting petals and snow, the MV echoes the film’s meditation on time and distance. Viewers are invited to experience what Okuyama described as “a euphoric feeling akin to a silent cry,” resonating with both the music and the cinematic world of “5 Centimeters per Second.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Kenshi Yonezu’s new song “1991” used for?
A1: “1991” serves as the theme song for the live-action film “5 Centimeters per Second,” directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama.

Q2: When was the “1991” music video released?
A2: The music video for “1991” was released on October 15, 2025.

Q3: Who directed the “1991” music video?
A3: The video was directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, who also directed the live-action adaptation of “5 Centimeters per Second.”

Q4: What visual themes appear in the MV?
A4: The MV features Yonezu performing alone amid falling cherry blossoms and snow, symbolizing emotions of memory and change.

Q5: How did director Okuyama describe the collaboration?
A5: He said the MV reflects Yonezu’s personal connection to the film and aimed to portray emotions that are both intimate and universal.

Source : ORICON NEWS