Short Drama Series 'The Last, Thank You.' Nominated for Branded Shorts of the Year!!

Tear Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; President and CEO: Norihisa Tomiyasu) announces that the episode 'Tears Even in a Demon's Eyes' from its ongoing short drama series 'The Last, Thank You.,' distributed on YouTube and TikTok since October 1, 2025, has been nominated for 'Branded Shorts of the Year 2026.'

'Branded Shorts of the Year' is an award that honors outstanding branded video content from companies and organizations worldwide, recognizing works that effectively communicate a brand's values and mission through film.

The winning entries will be announced at the 'VISUAL EXPO by BRANDED SHORTS' award ceremony on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, held at Akasaka Intercity Conference.

Title:

Ongoing Short Drama Series 'The Last, Thank You.'

Distribution:

YouTube (horizontal full version, 50 episodes)

TikTok (vertical short version, 60 episodes) – All episodes available for free

Main Cast:

Takato Nagata (as Norihisa Tomiyasu) / Hayato Ichihara (as Sumito Fujita)

Award Announcement:

September 29, 2026 (Tuesday)

Award Ceremony: 'VISUAL EXPO by BRANDED SHORTS'

[About Tear Inc. and the Short Drama]

Founded in Nagoya City in 1997, Tear Inc. operates funeral halls primarily in the Chubu region. Together with Yako殿 in Osaka, Tokai Reiten in Aichi, and Tear Hokkaido, the company aims to become Japan's most appreciated funeral service group by delivering ceremonies filled with gratitude and emotion.

'The Last, Thank You.' is a short drama series based on the bestselling book of the same name, depicting the life of Tear's founder, Norihisa Tomiyasu. Featuring a star-studded cast including Takato Nagata and Hayato Ichihara, and praised for its realistic portrayal of funeral scenes such as the 'yukan' ritual, the series has garnered over 28 million cumulative views since its launch on YouTube and TikTok in October 2025.

Additionally, the series was selected as a finalist in the 'CyberAgent Vertical Award' at 'Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2026' in June this year, standing out among 663 entries, and has received high praise from the entertainment industry.

[What is 'The Last, Thank You.'?]

Norihisa Tomiyasu, who entered the funeral industry at age 18, had his life transformed by meeting Fujita Sumito, a senior who embodied dedication and passion for his work. Inspired by Fujita, Tomiyasu faced the 'final moments' of many people, eventually founding Tear Inc. in July 1997. The company achieved a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market in June 2014.

Based on this true story with fictional elements, the series portrays the struggles, growth, and emotions of those working in funeral services, as well as the deep connections between the deceased and their families. It conveys the gratitude that arises at life's end and the dignity of living with sincerity.

The nominated episode, 'Tears Even in a Demon's Eyes,' covers episodes 32 to 34, set during the funeral of a yakuza boss's son. It depicts Tomiyasu standing firm against the boss's demand for a discount, prioritizing industry integrity.

[Social Media Distribution]

▼ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saigonoarigato

▼ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saigono_2025/

[About Branded Shorts of the Year]

'BRANDED SHORTS' was launched in 2016 as a category within the Academy Award-qualifying international short film festival 'Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA),' showcasing branded videos from companies and local governments worldwide. In 2026, its 11th year, it evolves into 'VISUAL EXPO by BRANDED SHORTS,' positioning itself as a platform for solving brand challenges and co-creating new value through visual storytelling.

'Branded Shorts of the Year' evaluates entries from around the world based on eight criteria: 'Necessity,' 'Power to Change Perception,' 'Shareability,' 'Message Strength,' 'Viewer Retention,' 'Originality,' 'Timeliness,' and 'Post-Viewing Recall.'

[Official Website] https://brandedshorts.jp/award/