Harmony (2015 film)

Lore & Background

Set in a future after a nuclear cataclysm called the 'Maelstrom' and ensuing civil wars, humanity has achieved peace under the 'Administration' and its WatchMe medical nanotechnology. Society is governed by an ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. Three young women—Cian Reikado, Miach Mihie, and protagonist Tuan Kirie—reject this utopia for lacking personal autonomy and attempt suicide together. Miach succeeds, but Tuan and Cian are saved. Thirteen years later, Tuan works as a senior investigator for the World Health Organization, still punishing her body. When she re-encounters Cian and they recall their pact, events force Tuan to question her world and discover the truth behind the 'perfect' society.

Reader's Guide

Harmony is significant as one of three anime film adaptations of novels by Project Itoh, released in close succession with The Empire of Corpses (October 2, 2015) and Genocidal Organ (February 3, 2017). The film's release date was originally December 4, 2015, but was moved to November 13, 2015, taking the slot of Genocidal Organ due to the latter's delay. Funimation licensed the film for U.S. release, showing it on May 17–18, 2016 in a two-day engagement. The film's exploration of a technologically controlled utopia and the rejection of enforced harmony resonates with themes of individuality and autonomy. Its legacy includes a manga adaptation by Fumi Minato serialized in Newtype from 2015 to 2019.

Did You Know?

• The film was directed by Michael Arias and Takashi Nakamura.
• It was animated by Studio 4°C.
• The film's general Japanese theatrical release was on December 4, 2015; the November 13, 2015 date was a limited international release or festival screening.
• A four-volume manga adaptation by Fumi Minato was published by Kadokawa Shoten from 2015 to 2019.