Research with Japanese women has showed us that Nike has a unique voice in this conversation, to challenge the pressures to be perfect, because of sport’s role as a release for these pressures. In Japan, perfectionism is deeply ingrained in all aspects of life. From early on, school and sports culture teaches children to conform. This is seen as the only valid path in order to achieve a successful lifestyle. A weighty expectation with a hefty price tag: constant pressure to be perfect.

Today’s youth seek to break away from this “perfect” path, given their infinite options compared to past generations. Japan has just entered a new era, called “Reiwa”, which has injected fresh energy into culture, however, the pressure of perfectionism still echoes from previous eras, creating barriers in life and sport, leaving youth hesitant to try sports due to overly competitive and rigid structures.

The film follows Aika, a Japanese Gen Z protagonist, contending with cultural pressures such as academic success, career expectations, and social media comparisons. Aika witnesses the historical burdens faced by Japanese women, realizing she is not alone in these struggles as she travels through time.

The narrative positions sport as a transformative tool, allowing individuals to break free from daily pressures, and embrace their authentic selves. The film gains momentum as Nike athletes, including skaters Yurin Fujii & Ginwoo Onodera and breaker Ami Yuasa, symbolize contemporary expressions of sport, adding inspiration to our main protagonist and the voice of Gen Z Aika's journey. It culminates with Aika receiving the support of generations of Japanese women before her, empowering her to live life unapologetically, embracing her individuality with confidence and authenticity.