Sing "Yesterday" for Me
| Company type | Manga series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment (Manga and Anime) |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Kei Toume |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Kei Toume (creator) |
| Products | Manga, anime television series |
| Owner | Shueisha (manga publisher), Doga Kobo (anime studio) |
Sing "Yesterday" for Me is a Japanese manga series created by Kei Toume. Initially serialized in Shueisha's seinen magazine Business Jump from 1997 until 2011, the series later continued in Grand Jump through 2015. The entire work comprises eleven volumes alongside a collection of short stories. An anime adaptation produced by Doga Kobo was broadcast between April and June 2020.
Plot
After graduating from college, Rikuo Uozumi drifts through life working at a convenience store in Tokyo with little direction. His monotonous existence is disrupted when Haru Nonaka, an unconventional woman, starts frequenting the store and forms a friendship with him. Meanwhile, Rikuo reconnects with Shinako Morinome, his college crush who has returned to town but is burdened by painful memories. As Haru gradually reveals more about herself, including her solitary lifestyle and desire for change, the trio confronts their unresolved pasts and uncertain futures, exploring themes of personal development and emotional release.
Main characters
- Rikuo is a recent college graduate uncertain about his career path, currently employed at a convenience store. He enjoys photography and harbors romantic feelings for Shinako.
- Haru works at the café MILK HALL and has taken in a crow named Kansuke. Due to significant changes in her appearance over five years, Rikuo does not recognize her initially. She often visits the convenience store before starting her shifts.
- Shinako is Rikuo’s former college classmate who now teaches high school. She continues to hold affection for Rō’s older brother, who has passed away.
- Rō is Shinako’s childhood friend from Kanazawa.
Rikuo's circle
- A colleague of Rikuo at the convenience store.
- A fellow college classmate of both Rikuo and Shinako.
- The spouse of Takanori.
- A pianist and Rikuo’s former girlfriend who played keyboard in his band. Her involvement is considered a jinx, as bands she joined eventually dissolved.
Haru's circle
- A professional photographer and Haru’s former classmate who harbors romantic feelings for her.
- The owner of MILK HALL café where Haru works.
- Kyōko’s high school classmate who is attracted to her.
- Izawa’s coworker who has been pursuing Haru since their first meeting.
- Amamiya’s childhood friend.
- Haru’s biological mother.
- Haru’s stepfather.
- Haru’s pet crow.
Shinako's circle
- Shinako’s childhood friend and Rō’s brother who died before the story begins.
- A coworker of Shinako.
- Shinako’s student and sibling of Kinoshita.
- The film club president and Takako’s classmate.
Rō's circle
- Rō’s prep school classmate.
- A model attending Rō’s prep school and at one point his girlfriend.
- Rō’s classmate and love interest of Katsumi.
- Rō’s classmate and Funatsuka’s girlfriend.
- Rō’s classmate and boyfriend of Natsuki.
Manga
Created by Kei Toume, Sing "Yesterday" for Me debuted in Shueisha’s seinen magazine Business Jump in 1997. Its title draws inspiration from a song by Japanese rock band RC Succession. Following the discontinuation of Business Jump in 2011, the series transitioned to the newly established Grand Jump, where it was serialized from November 2011 until June 2015. The manga was compiled into eleven volumes released between March 1999 and September 2015.
Additional shorter chapters were gathered in a separate collection released in 2009. A special chapter portraying events subsequent to the main storyline appeared in Grand Jump on April 1, 2020. This chapter, along with other short stories, was later included in Sing "Yesterday" for Me afterword, published on April 17, 2020.
Anime
The announcement of an anime television adaptation was made in the 10th issue of Grand Jump magazine, dated April 17, 2019. The production was handled by DMM.futureworks alongside Doga Kobo, with Yoshiyuki Fujiwara serving as director. The screenplay was co-written by Fujiwara and Jin Tanaka, while character designs were crafted by Junichirō Taniguchi. Prop designs were created by Mami Aida and Kyōko Nagata. The musical score featured compositions from Kenji Tamai, agehasprings, and Takaaki Kondō. The series was broadcast from April 5 through June 21, 2020, on TV Asahi’s newly launched programming block as well as BS Asahi. This 12-episode anime was also simulcast on Abema, which provided an additional six exclusive mini-episodes.