{ "id": "ep2bk6g24q", "slug": "origin-spirits-of-the-past", "title": "Origin: Spirits of the Past (銀色の髪のアギト)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form", "label": "Films by genre, form, and subject", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts", "label": "Animated and short films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "label": "Japanese anime features", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013", "label": "Released 1999 to 2013", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013", "label": "Asia (other) · 2001 to 2020: Released 1999 to 2013", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013", "path": [ { "id": "geo.asia", "label": "Asia (other)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001", "label": "Asia (other) · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form", "label": "Films by genre, form, and subject", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts", "label": "Animated and short films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features", "label": "Japanese anime features", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013", "label": "Released 1999 to 2013", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Directed by Keiichi Sugiyama, Origin: Spirits of the Past (Gin'iro no Kami no Agito) is a 95-minute Japanese science fiction film produced by GONZO and released in 2006.", "snippet": "Directed by Keiichi Sugiyama, Origin: Spirits of the Past (Gin'iro no Kami no Agito) is a 95-minute Japanese science fiction film produced by GONZO and released in 2006.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.genre-form.animated-shorts.anime-features.yr-1999-2013", "markdown": "# Origin: Spirits of the Past (銀色の髪のアギト)\n\n**Origin: Spirits of the Past** (*Gin'iro no Kami no Agito*, 銀色の髪のアギト) is a 2006 Japanese animated science-fiction film produced by the studio GONZO, directed by Keiichi Sugiyama and released theatrically in Japan on January 7, 2006 by Shochiku. It was GONZO's first original full-length feature film, but it was not the first Japanese theatrical anime to be released in China, as *Castle in the Sky* predates its release.[1](https://www.otakunews.com/dt/Article/442/gonzo-to-release-agito-with-silver-hair) • [2](https://reviewne.jp/contents/12000) • [3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [15](https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2023/0329/c95961-10228851.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Japanese title / English title | 銀色の髪のアギト (*Gin'iro no Kami no Agito*, \"Agito with Silver Hair\"); English title *Origin: Spirits of the Past*[3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [4](https://bangumi.tv/subject/3847) |\n| Release | January 7, 2006, nationwide through the Shochiku and Toho-Tokyu circuits; about 110 theaters[3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html) |\n| Director / original plan | Keiichi Sugiyama (directorial debut); original plan by Mamoru Iida[6](https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/pdf/322706) • [3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) |\n| Runtime | 95 minutes[4](https://bangumi.tv/subject/3847) |\n| Music | Taku Iwasaki, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra; theme songs sung by KOKIA[5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html) |\n| Home video | DVD June 23, 2006 (Media Factory, catalog ZMBZ-2681); Blu-ray December 5, 2008[7](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/34386/products/649408/1/) • [5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html) |\n| Production committee | GONZO, Media Factory, GDH, Shochiku, Yahoo! JAPAN, TV Asahi, and Dentsu[4](https://bangumi.tv/subject/3847) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Story\n\nThe film is set 300 years in the future, after a failed genetic-manipulation project gave the forest a will of its own and turned it against humanity, destroying cities and splitting the world between hostile woodland and wasteland.[3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [8](https://www.justwatch.com/jp/%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB/yin-se-nofa-noagito) Agito, a boy living in Neutral City, a settlement between the human realm and the forest, finds a strange glowing machine at the bottom of a forbidden spring. Inside sleeps Toola, a girl from the past who has been in suspended animation for 300 years and holds the key to restoring civilization.[6](https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/pdf/322706) • [3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html)\n\nTo help Toola with her mission, Agito makes a contract with the forest and obtains forbidden powers, which turn his hair silver. The two are drawn to each other but struggle with the differences between the worlds they grew up in, while the awakening of Toola upsets the balance that had held the world together.[1](https://www.otakunews.com/dt/Article/442/gonzo-to-release-agito-with-silver-hair) • [9](https://a.sofmap.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=11059331)\n\n## Production\n\n**Staff and studio.** The film was animated by GONZO, a studio known for digital animation work, with an original plan by Mamoru Iida and a screenplay by Nana Shiina and Naoko Kakimoto. Character design was by Takeyashi Ogata (緒方剛志), with animation character settings by Atsushi Yamagata, mechanic design by Kenji Ando and Mahiro Maeda, sound direction by Kazuhiro Wakabayashi, and 3D direction by Takayuki Masuo. Keiichi Sugiyama's work as director was his debut in that role.[3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [6](https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/pdf/322706)\n\n**Music.** The score was composed by Taku Iwasaki and performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mario Klemens. KOKIA sang both theme songs, the opening \"Chōwa oto ~with reflection~\" (調和oto～with reflection～) and the ending \"Ai no Melody\" (愛のメロディー), released as a double A-side single by Victor Entertainment.[5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html)\n\n**Cast.** Agito was voiced by Ryo Katsuji and Toola by Aoi Miyazaki, with Yuriko Furutani (古手川祐子) as Yolda, Kenichi Endo as Shunack, Ren Osugi as Agashi, and a supporting cast that included comedian Masaru Hamaguchi of the duo Yoiko as Cain and Toshikazu Fukawa as Hajan.[3](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html) • [10](https://thetv.jp/program/0000039494/cast/)\n\n## Release and reception\n\nThe film opened on January 7, 2006 at the Toho theater (東劇) and about 110 screens nationwide, promoted with the tagline \"行こう、僕たちの未来のために\" (\"Let's go, for the sake of our future\").[5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html) • [11](https://eiga-chirashi.jp/view_item.php?titleid=16560) It was later released in China, though it was not the first Japanese theatrical anime shown there, as [Castle in the Sky](https://www.edgepedia.org/castle-in-the-sky) had screened in mainland China on May 1, 1992, and novels and MOOK books were published alongside the DVD.[2](https://reviewne.jp/contents/12000) • [15](https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2023/0329/c95961-10228851.html)\n\nOn Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 60% Tomatometer from a single critic review and more than 2,500 audience ratings averaging 3.5 out of 5; a Common Sense Media review called it a \"gorgeous anime with strong pro-environment message.\"[12](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/origin_spirits_of_the_past) Critics have frequently compared it to [Hayao Miyazaki](https://www.edgepedia.org/hayao-miyazaki)'s nature fables: *The Independent* described it as a riff on *Princess Mononoke* and *Castle in the Sky*, \"messy, occasionally beautiful,\" while Philip Brophy's review in *Empire* found that it \"mixes original story threads, vivid characterization and scintillating visuals into a richly orchestrated narrative\" that resonates with Miyazaki while uncovering new thematic ground.[13](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/origin-spirits-of-the-past-12a-864754.html) • [14](https://www.philipbrophy.com/projects/animereviews/77.html)\n\n## Home video and streaming\n\nMedia Factory released the standard-edition DVD on June 23, 2006 at 5,170 yen including tax, and a Blu-ray Disc followed on December 5, 2008.[7](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/34386/products/649408/1/) • [5](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html) The film is not currently available for streaming in Japan, but as of recent listings it streams on [Crunchyroll](https://www.edgepedia.org/crunchyroll) and other services in 26 other countries, including the United States.[8](https://www.justwatch.com/jp/%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB/yin-se-nofa-noagito)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Gonzo to Release Agito with Silver Hair, Otaku News (2005)](https://www.otakunews.com/dt/Article/442/gonzo-to-release-agito-with-silver-hair)\n2. [銀色の髪のアギトのあらすじ/作品解説, Reviewne](https://reviewne.jp/contents/12000)\n3. [銀色の髪のアギト | WORKS, GONZO](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/works/gin-iro/index.html)\n4. [銀色の髪のアギト 剧场版, Bangumi](https://bangumi.tv/subject/3847)\n5. [銀色の髪のアギト Blu-ray, GONZO archives](https://www.gonzo.co.jp/archives/agito/index.html)\n6. [銀色の髪のアギト, allcinema](https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/pdf/322706)\n7. [銀色の髪のアギト〖通常版〗, ORICON NEWS](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/34386/products/649408/1/)\n8. [銀色の髪のアギト streaming listings, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/jp/%E6%98%A0%E7%94%BB/yin-se-nofa-noagito)\n9. [銀色の髪のアギト Blu-ray, Sofmap](https://a.sofmap.com/product_detail.aspx?sku=11059331)\n10. [銀色の髪のアギトの出演者・キャスト一覧, WEBザテレビジョン](https://thetv.jp/program/0000039494/cast/)\n11. [映画チラシサイト：銀色の髪のアギト](https://eiga-chirashi.jp/view_item.php?titleid=16560)\n12. [Origin: Spirits of the Past, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/origin_spirits_of_the_past)\n13. [Origin: Spirits of the past (12A), The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/origin-spirits-of-the-past-12a-864754.html)\n14. [Anime Reviews - Origin - Spirits Of The Past, Philip Brophy](https://www.philipbrophy.com/projects/animereviews/77.html)\n15. [宮崎駿監督の「天空の城ラピュタ」が6月1日に中国で31年ぶり再公開へ--人民網日本語版--人民日報](https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2023/0329/c95961-10228851.html)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Films by genre, form, and subject › Animated and short films › Japanese anime features › Released 1999 to 2013*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Origin: Spirits of the Past (銀色の髪のアギト)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Origin: Spirits of the Past (銀色の髪のアギト)](https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past](https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Origin: Spirits of the Past (銀色の髪のアギト)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/origin-spirits-of-the-past. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Directed by Keiichi Sugiyama, Origin: Spirits of the Past is a 95-minute Japanese science fiction film produced by GONZO and released in 2006." }