Thanks for checking out my post. I’m still pretty new to writing scripts, but I wanted to share this idea I’ve been working on. It’s inspired by the song “To Us Former Prodigies” by Creepy Nuts, and this is my take on what it could look like as an anime.
This is a very rough and simplified script and storyboard description of Episode 1 of the story. It follows a former student council president who quits because of the pressure and expectations from everyone around him. He feels stuck and burnt out — until he meets a girl who slowly pulls him into a more free and meaningful life.
It’s very rough and experimental right now, but I’d love to hear what you think — good or bad! Any feedback on the pacing, dialogue, or characters will help me make it better, as I plan to expand scenes with dialogue, visuals, etc.
Also, sorry about the formatting, but I am tired and completely about to fall asleep!
To Us Former Prodigies - Episode 1 Script
Episode 01 — "Spring Storms Bring Petals in the Rain"
Setting: Contemporary Japan
COLD OPEN — NARRATION UNTIL AYA
FADE IN:
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD – DAY (SPRING)
Soft-focus close-ups of SAKURA PETALS drifting in slow motion, catching light as they fall.
SFX: Light breeze, faint school bell far away.
YUTO (V.O., FUTURE SELF; CALM, INTROSPECTIVE)
“They say spring is the season of beginnings…
…but to me, it always felt like the season of endings.
The petals fall, the air shifts… and the days you thought would last forever start to slip away.
That day was the first after I walked away from it all.
The expectations. The pressure.
I thought quitting would free me… but all it left me with was silence.”
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY
ANGLE: Tracking shot, low on Yuto’s feet walking along the hallway windows.
SFX: Soft footsteps, occasional sliding door in distance.
YUTO (V.O.)
“Back then, my world had shrunk to the size of a desk by the window…
…a place where I could watch the days pass without having to be a part of them.”
ANGLE: Mid-shot as a trio of STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS passes. One glances back.
YUTO (V.O.)
“People like them… they moved forward without hesitation.
I had already stepped away from that path.”
INT. CLASSROOM – CONTINUOUS
Close-up of sliding classroom door. *shhk* — it opens.
Teacher mid-scold with two rowdy boys.
TEACHER
“Settle down! Page seventy-two!”
Yuto bows slightly.
YUTO
“…Sorry I’m late.”
Teacher gestures to back. Yuto moves to his desk.
YUTO (V.O.)
“It was easier to just stay quiet.
Easier to let the days blur together.”
POV THROUGH DOOR WINDOW: Aya walks past, blowing a pink bubble. It pops softly.
She glances at Yuto. Brief eye contact.
YUTO (V.O.)
“…And then… she appeared.
The storm that carried the petals… right into my life.”
Narration ends here.
SMASH CUT TO: TITLE CARD.
SCENE 5 — LUNCH BELL
INT. CLASSROOM – LUNCH BELL
SFX: *riiing* — lunch bell. Chairs scrape.
ANGLE: Yuto quietly packs notebook, heads to door.
SCENE 6 — HALLWAY INTERCEPTION
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
ANGLE: Tracking shot as Yuto walks, head slightly down.
PRESIDENT steps into frame, blocking path.
SFX: Footsteps stop.
PRESIDENT
“Takeda-senpai. A moment, please.”
YUTO
“…What do you want.”
PRESIDENT
“Just… follow me. Please.”
She walks off; Yuto hesitates, follows.
YUTO (V.O.)
“Day one after quitting… and the world still expected the same me.”
SCENE 7 — STAIRWELL CONFRONTATION
INT. STAIRWELL – CONTINUOUS
Wide shot, lit by high window.
PRESIDENT
“You’ve made your point. You left. But… you can’t just disappear.”
YUTO
“I can. And I did.”
PRESIDENT
“When I was vice president, I learned everything from you…
I thought you cared as much as I do.”
YUTO
“…It’s complicated.”
PRESIDENT
“Then make it simple.”
YUTO
“It’s not about the council. It’s me. I can’t do it anymore.”
PRESIDENT
“You think quitting makes the pressure disappear? It doesn’t.”
YUTO
“I’m not running from pressure. I’m running from myself.”
She shoves him lightly — *thud* on wall.
PRESIDENT (voice wavers)
“Pathetic.”
She leaves.
SCENE 8 — COURTYARD BENCH
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD – LUNCH
Wide shot — Yuto sits on bench with yakisoba bun. Petals drift.
AYA
“So… why were you staring earlier?”
YUTO
“I wasn’t.”
AYA
“Sure. One bubble and you’re transfixed.”
YUTO
“You were chewing gum during class. Hard not to notice.”
AYA
“Notice me… or the gum?”
YUTO
“…The gum.”
Aya laughs lightly.
AYA
“Liar.”
AYA
“You’ve got this look… like you’re somewhere else. It’s interesting.”
YUTO
“Or depressing.”
AYA
“They’re not mutually exclusive.”
She stands, offers candy.
AYA
“For next time.”
He shakes head; she drops it beside him, walks away.
Close-up: Yuto picks it up, pockets it.
SCENE 9 — LAST PERIOD
INT. CLASSROOM – AFTERNOON
SFX: *thump* — graded paper lands.
INSERT: Red failing score.
YUTO
“…ah.”
Angle to window: rain streaks glass.
SFX: Light rain.
TEACHER (O.S.)
“Review your mistakes for tomorrow.”
SCENE 10 — ENTRANCE & UMBRELLA
EXT. SCHOOL ENTRANCE – RAIN
Students under eaves, umbrellas open.
Yuto stands without umbrella.
AYA (O.S.)
“Sharing?”
YUTO
“I’m fine.”
He steps into rain; Aya follows with umbrella over him.
YUTO
“…You’ll get wet.”
AYA
“Not my first rain.”
AYA
“Besides, you look like you might dissolve if I leave you out here.”
He steps under umbrella.
AYA
“Window seat guy has a name, right?”
YUTO
“…Yuto.”
AYA
“Aya. See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Wide shot — both walk away under umbrella, petals on wet stone.
MUSIC: Swell into ED.
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