【SAMANSA】Announcing New Short Film Lineup for the Second Week of May! Three Japanese Films Depicting Parent-Child Love and Bonds, from a Suspense Film of a Mother Losing Her Daughter to Bullying to a Reunion of a Separated Father and Son

SAMANSA Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Yuichi Iwanaga) is pleased to announce that it will start distributing three new films, 'Umareru,' 'Ichiru,' and 'Chiisana Ousama no Bouken,' on May 8, 2026 (Friday) through its short film streaming service 'SAMANSA.'

Please enjoy a wide range of genres this week as well.

New Film Introduction

- ① 'Umareru' (To Be Born) Synopsis: Yumi, a girl bullied for her naturally curly hair. Her mother, Ryoko, who runs a barbershop, knew about it but was too busy to do anything. One day, Yumi falls from a cliff and loses her life. Ryoko claims that bullying was the cause, but no one listens to her. However, through a certain event, Ryoko comes to know the shocking truth behind her daughter's death... Director: Satoshi Tanaka Running Time: 33 minutes 18 seconds

- ② 'Ichiru' (A Glimmer) Synopsis: "It's been two years this month, Dad. Stop drinking." A father and son living apart. They reunite after a long time and exchange awkward conversation in the car. Suddenly, the son tells his father about his mother's remarriage. What is the outcome brought about by their hidden emotions? Director: Kyuta Amemiya Running Time: 13 minutes 50 seconds

- ③ 'Chiisana Ousama no Bouken' (The Little King's Adventure) Synopsis: Before bedtime, a father and son open the picture book 'The Little King's Adventure' for the first time in a while. Enjoying a slightly different "story-making" process, the two advance the story with their own ideas whenever the king encounters difficulties. As the story progresses, an unexpected solution the son casually mentions brings a small realization to the father's heart. Director: Yuka Nakamura Running Time: 11 minutes 33 seconds

Comment from the Staff

'Umareru,' recommended by SAMANSA this week, is an incredibly realistic and serious suspense that relentlessly stirs the viewer's heart.

Guilt and helplessness towards oneself, and impulsive hatred towards the children who bullied her daughter and their parents, only realized after losing her daughter... Everyone finds themselves deeply empathizing with this painful vortex of emotions.

All three films distributed this week share the theme of "parent and child," but this work, in particular, has an overwhelming impact. Why not experience a poignant film this weekend with SAMANSA?

What is SAMANSA?

SAMANSA is a streaming service specializing in short films.

For a monthly fee of 490 yen, it offers carefully selected works from around the world, currently distributing over 500 short films (as of October 2025). With screening times under 30 minutes, it enables a movie experience tailored to various daily life scenes, such as commute time or spare moments.

Furthermore, by directly licensing with creators worldwide, SAMANSA delivers a diverse range of works that cannot be seen on other domestic VODs. We aim to create a new culture where movies can be enjoyed more freely and intimately.

Name: Short Film Streaming Service 'SAMANSA' Browser App Site: https://samansa.com/ iOS Version (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/samansa/id1600425602 Android Version (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samansa

Company Overview

Company Name: SAMANSA Co., Ltd. Head Office Location: Okazaki Building 603, 2-14-13 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Representative Director: Yuichi Iwanaga Co-Representative: Takayuki Toyama Date Established: April 2021 Business Activities: Operation of the short film streaming service 'SAMANSA' Corporate Website: https://about.samansa.com/ Service Website URL: https://lp.samansa.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@samansajp/about TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samansajp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samansajpn/ X: https://x.com/samansajpn/ X (PR): https://x.com/samansajpn_pr Contact: [email protected]