Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase is the sequel to the popular anime film Nasu: Summer in Andalusia. While the first movie was set in the beautiful region of Andalusia in Spain, this sequel takes place in Japan during the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. The movie highlights the beautiful and historic sites in the area, like Otani Heiwa Kannon and Otani Makaibutsu.
The first film showed the lonely challenges faced by the cyclist Pépé Benengeli. In this sequel, the story focuses more on the relationship between Pépé and his teammate Ciocci. The plot thickens when their legendary teammate Marco Rondanini dies just as Team Pao Pao Beer is preparing to race in Japan. This tragedy makes Ciocci, who was close to Marco, think about quitting. Despite heavy rain and tough conditions, Ciocci and Pépé must work together to help their team win another race.
The sequel uses a 16:9 high-definition format, which makes the animation look even better compared to the 4:3 format of the first film.
In My Opinion
Having watched both films, I really enjoyed Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase. Moving the setting from Spain to Japan gave the story a fresh and interesting twist. The detailed animation and high-definition visuals made the race and the beautiful scenery of Utsunomiya come to life.
The movie does a great job of showing the friendship and teamwork between Pépé and Ciocci. After losing their friend Marco, they face many challenges, both personal and professional. Their struggles and determination are very relatable and keep the viewers engaged.
One of the best parts of the sequel is how it shows resilience and teamwork. Even though Pépé and Ciocci are dealing with grief and uncertainty, they push forward and give their best in the race. The race scenes, especially in the rain, are exciting and beautifully animated.
Compared to the first film, Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase feels more thoughtful and mature. While Summer in Andalusia focused on Pépé’s personal journey, the sequel explores deeper themes like friendship, loss, and perseverance. This makes the sequel not only a great follow-up but also a strong standalone story.
