Starlight Promises

Starlight Promises, known in Japan as Yakusoku no Nanaya Matsuri, was released in 2018 as a short original net animation produced by Yokohama Animation Lab. The project was conceived as a promotional vehicle to showcase the scenic beauty and cultural atmosphere of Tanegashima, an island in Kagoshima Prefecture famously associated with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s space center. By integrating the island's lush landscapes and the historic Seven Night Festival into the narrative, the studio aimed to create a visually evocative experience that functioned both as a self-contained story and a soft-power tourism initiative for the region.

The production sought to capture a serene, atmospheric aesthetic typical of high-quality Japanese animation shorts, focusing on emotional resonance rather than grand scale. Directed by Kazuya Ichikawa, the project leaned heavily into detailed background art to emphasize the island's unique integration of modern aerospace technology and traditional rural life. While it was not designed for a wide theatrical release, the ONA was well-received within the animation community for its technical polish and its success in elevating the profile of the Tanegashima setting, eventually garnering interest among those who follow regional promotional media and boutique studio outputs.