Apple TV+’s new show ‘Sunny’ stars Rashida Jones as Suzie Sakamoto. Suzie’s life changes after her husband Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima) and their son die in a plane crash. Struggling with sadness and loneliness, Suzie gets a funny, wobbling robot named Sunny (Joanna Sotomura) from one of Masa’s colleagues. At first, Suzie does not like Sunny, but slowly she becomes friends with the robot.
Suzie and Sunny start to learn dark secrets about Masa’s past. They find a hidden world where robots are used for bad things. The show, made by Katie Robbins and based on Colin O’Sullivan’s book ‘The Dark Manual,’ mixes suspense, dark humor, and drama. Suzie learns to live with Sunny and discovers new things about her life. The show uses real locations and practical effects to make the story more real.
Where was “Sunny” Filmed?
‘Sunny’ is set 30 years in the future in Japan, where robots called homebots are common in homes. These robots do daily chores and provide emotional support. The show was filmed in many real places across Japan, including the big cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. Filming started in July 2022 and went on for almost seven months, ending in early 2023.
Even with budget concerns, the creators chose real locations to make the show look authentic. They filmed in different parts of Japan, including rural areas and traditional settings like bamboo forests, temples, and national parks. This mix shows the contrast between modern technology and Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
Kyoto prefecture, Japan
The majority of ‘Sunny’ was shot in the Greater Kyoto region of Japan’s Honshu Island. This area is one of the world’s largest populated islands. The show depicts Japan’s metropolitan infrastructure in a futuristic style with little editing. This method is appropriate for the show’s premise, as it depicts a realistic high-technology world.
Kyoto Prefecture, part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, has a rich cultural and historical heritage. This makes it an ideal setting for the story. The region’s combination of modern technology and traditional elements creates a vision of the future inspired by the 1970 Osaka Expo.
The Kyoto International Conference Center, located in 422 Iwakura Osagicho, Sakyo Ward, Takaraga-ike, is an important location for the show. This skyscraper represents IMATECH, a fictional tech corporation in the novel that is tied to Masa’s history and the development of homebots. The center’s unusual design effectively represents the series’ high-tech aspects.
‘Sunny’s’ setting in Kyoto distinguishes it from other shows that frequently depict futuristic Japan in cities such as Tokyo. Rashida Jones stated that filming in genuine settings makes the plot feel more authentic and makes acting simpler. “I’m not good at acting with green screens and imagining things that are not there,” she told me.
Tokyo, Japan
Outside of Kyoto, ‘Sunny’ was filmed in and around Tokyo, Japan’s political and entertainment center. The facade of The Soho, a modern complex located at 2-chōme-7-4 Aomi, Koto City, is one of the show’s highlights. The production crew collaborated with Georgina Pope of Tokyo-based production service company Twenty First City to manage filming logistics in Japan.
‘Sunny’ was the first major international show to be recorded in Japan since the country reopened its borders at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of visitors and large audiences contributed to the show’s solemn and introspective tone. Georgina Pope stated that people were captivated by Japan’s culture and technology, making it an ideal filming site despite its constraints.
Director Lucy Tcherniak defined ‘Sunny’ as a universe in which technology seamlessly integrates into everyday life. The creative team avoided using extensive CGI and instead created a true animatronic replica of Sunny. This decision allowed performers to interact with a real robot, which increased the show’s realism.
`’Sunny’ for Apple TV+ tells a compelling story set in futuristic Japan. The show, set in real-world settings in Kyoto and Tokyo, combines modern technology with traditional Japanese culture. This combination, along with practical effects, makes the story of Suzie and Sunny feel genuine and fascinating. Fans may look forward to discovering the stunning and diverse backdrops that make ‘Sunny’ a visual delight.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Sunny
Q: Where was ‘Sunny’ filmed?
A: ‘Sunny’ was filmed in various real locations across Japan, including the major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. The show also features beautiful rural areas, bamboo forests, temples, and national parks.
Q: When was ‘Sunny’ filmed?
A: Filming for ‘Sunny’ began in July 2022 and continued for nearly seven months, concluding in early 2023.
Q: Why did the creators choose to film in real locations?
A: The creators of ‘Sunny’ chose to film in real locations to enhance the authenticity of the show. This decision allowed them to capture the unique blend of old and new elements that Japan offers, making the futuristic setting more believable.
Q: What is the release date of ‘Sunny’?
A: ‘Sunny’ was released on July 10, 2024 on Apple Tv+.
Q: Which notable locations were featured in ‘Sunny’?
A: Notable locations in ‘Sunny’ include the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto and The Soho complex in Tokyo. These sites were chosen for their unique architectural designs that fit the futuristic theme of the show.
