Why HOPE created an animated film

HOPE Japan • October 16, 2026

Child washing hands under running water outdoors, with a plant in the background

Condensing 25 years of work into a single film

It sounds simple enough, but those 25 years have been filled with countless initiatives and encounters.

In Cambodia, we began by providing rural communities with access to clean water that evolved into projects that leveraged that water to improve livelihoods and generate income. In Ethiopia, women are forming self-help groups to learn to save money and generate income. In the Philippines, we have supported the education of indigenous youth. And following the Great East Japan Earthquake, we provided emergency relief and recovery efforts right here in Japan.

Of course, this is not the whole story of the past 25 years.

So, if we were to distill these 25 years into a video lasting just a few minutes, what should we convey?

And how do we get people who have never taken an interest in international aid to want to watch it?

What message should we share from our 25-year journey, and how can we reach new audiences? These two questions got us started on creating our 25th-anniversary film.

Why Animation?

Until now, HOPE has produced live-action documentary videos to share the stories of the people living in the communities where we work and to showcase our activities on the ground.

Live-action footage offers the unique advantage of conveying the reality of the situation and the real voices of the people. However, for this 25th-anniversary video, we wanted to create an opportunity for people unfamiliar with international aid to get to know about HOPE.

That is why we chose a different medium: animation.

An animated film allows us to weave our 25-year journey into a single, cohesive story that transcends specific countries, regions, or individual projects. It also offers a way to capture the interest of those unfamiliar with international aid by presenting the content as an engaging piece of storytelling.

And so, our journey began.

Collaborating with a filmmaker who has followed our work over the years

We commissioned filmmaker Satomi Okane to produce this film.

Satomi has previously created several videos showcasing HOPE's activities. Having observed our work for many years, she proposed creating an animation film.

Initially, we envisioned a film that relied solely on visuals and sound, without narration or dialogue. We aimed to create a piece that could be understood regardless of the viewer's language.

However, as production progressed, we realized there were aspects that could not be fully conveyed within a short, five-minute film.

For instance, the video features a boy in distress and his father shedding tears as he watches over him. Visuals alone could not sufficiently explain the background - such as why the boy was suffering or how the lack of access to clean water was affecting his health. To better communicate the context of our work, we decided to add narration, which originally we didn't intend to include.

Through repeated discussions while reviewing the actual footage, the video gradually took on its final form.

People sitting on a floor around a low meal setup near a cooking fire in a rustic wooden room

HOPE's 25 Years Captured in a Single Film

The finished video showcases our activities in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines, as well as our relief efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to the core animation, we have incorporated actual footage from the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake to depict our contribution there.

Dancer in red traditional dress performs outdoors before a seated crowd, with trees in the background.

The countries, eras, and challenges faced vary widely: ensuring rural communities' access to clean water, empowering women through income generation, creating environments where young people can receive education, and rebuilding lives drastically altered by disasters.

At first glance, these appear to be distinct activities.

Yet, at their core lies a shared mission: supporting people facing hardship so they can improve their own lives by themselves. This reflects the philosophy of self-reliance that HOPE has cherished throughout its 25-year history.

While it is impossible to encapsulate 25 years entirely within a few minutes of animation, by weaving these diverse locations and activities into a single narrative, we have sought to illustrate the values HOPE has held dear.

We invite you to watch the completed video.

Looking Beyond Our 25th Anniversary

Our 25th anniversary is not only a milestone to reflect on the journey we have traveled so far, but also an opportunity to consider our future endeavors.

The work that began 25 years ago has expanded across several countries and regions, sustained by the support of so many people. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to HOPE's work over the years.

We also hope that this piece serves as an introduction to HOPE for those who have not previously had the chance to engage with international aid or our organization's activities.