Aayush Sharma
What happens when your passion becomes your obsession? You achieve greatness, and that’s what ‘Glass Heart’ is all about. The Netflix series, based on the novel of the same name by Wakagi Mio, follows the story of Akane Saijo, a college student who aspires to be a professional drummer and be a part of a musical group. However, things don’t go as planned because the band drops her right before their performance. Although she manages to capture people’s hearts when she randomly starts performing at the venue’s parking lot, Akane seems to have hit a roadblock and is not able to fulfill her dreams. Three years later, she finds herself in a difficult position and thinks about quitting music altogether.
However, her destiny takes her to an important location, where she meets Naoki Fujitani and becomes a member of the musical group, TENBLANK. As Naoki, Akane, Sho Takaoka, and Kazushi Sakamoto begin their journey to pursue greatness, they come face-to-face with several challenges that stop them from becoming a force to be reckoned with. Nevertheless, they don’t stop creating music that not only resonates with the listeners but also talks about their struggles. Originally titled ‘Gurasu Haato,’ the show’s visuals are not only appealing but also impactful, playing a crucial role in enhancing the authenticity of Asia’s music scene.
Glass Heart Filming Locations
The musical drama is filmed extensively in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. Despite being the most populous area in the aforementioned nation, it is one of the popular destinations for production houses to shoot their projects. The principal photography seemingly began in May 2024 and concluded in September of the same year. Apart from that place, the cast and crew also traveled to Saitama Prefecture and other areas of the Tokyo Metropolis to tape certain sequences.
Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Most of the sequences were lensed in Shibuya, a ward in Tokyo, capturing the cultural essence of the country. The series begins in Shibuya and features Akane going through some iconic places while trying to make a name for herself in the world of music. The crew shot extensively in the city and features the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which is very popular among tourists. Meanwhile, the title taped on the streets of Shibuya highlighted one of the city’s landmarks, Tokyu Rei Hotel, which is located at 1 Chome-24-10 in Shibuya, Tokyo. The hotel is known for its elegant rooms and its premier location, which makes it easier for people to explore the area without any difficulties. Consequently, the project showcased Ikebe Shibuya, which is a popular music instrument store in the city, and shot one pivotal scene inside the store located at 1-7-4 Dogenzaka in Shibuya Square B.
The crew did a great job in capturing some of the renowned locations in the city to create an authentic atmosphere for the story. The narrative is highly focused on music and live performances. So, it would be a travesty if it didn’t feature some cool live musical venues. One such place that appears in the musical drama is the Liquidroom, which is considered to be one of Tokyo’s leading live music venues. The crew took advantage of its setting to tape a crucial live performance scene in ‘Glass Heart’ and give a glimpse of Tokyo’s vibrant music culture. It is located at 3-16-6, Higashi in the aforementioned city. Another iconic place chosen to film certain musical sequences is Studio Tanta. Situated at 1 Chome-11-1 in the Tomigaya district of Shibuya, it is a meticulously designed recording studio by sound professionals that can be used for pre-production to mixing.
By using real locations such as Liquidroom and Studio Tanta, the title adds a strong sense of authenticity. It not only grounds the story in the real-world heartbeat of Tokyo’s music scene, but it also adds value to the stories that appear on the screen. These places or buildings are not just visually striking; they carry a cultural weight that expands the series’ creative depth. Moreover, the shooting of live musical performances and recordings introduces viewers to a world that might not have been seen by many, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the musical journey of the characters. These spaces not only shape the story, but also play an important role in shaping the personalities.
Apart from Shibuya, ‘Glass Heart’ was also shot in several other parts of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Places such as Ota and Fussa feature in some of the sequences, which accentuate the narratives of the characters and add a distinct flavor and visual contrast to the urban core of Tokyo. These settings assist in grounding the characters’ personas in more personal moments that unfold away from the spotlight and all the chaos. Consequently, some of the cast members taped sequences in and around the Metropolis, which gives viewers a better idea about the band, its members, and their motivations. Over the years, Tokyo has been a great choice for filming because it grants access to top-tier studios and multi-lingual video crews. Many projects such as ‘Inception,’ ‘Karate Kids: Legends,’ ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ ‘Euphoria,’ ‘Alice in Bordeland,’ ‘Lost in Translation,’ and ‘The Morning Show’ have been filmed in Tokyo Metropolis.
Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Although most of the filming takes place in Tokyo Metropolis, the crew lensed some really important sequences at two iconic venues in Saitama Prefecture. Several pivotal scenes were shot at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, which is a Shinto shrine located at 350-0052-2 Miyashitamachi in Kawagoe City. Built in the 6th century, the shrine has a lot of history attached to it and is a very popular tourist destination. In mid-October, the place lights up because of the Kawagoe Festival, which is a UNESCO-recognized event and features performances of hashi music. Moreover, people can buy Ema Tablets, small wooden plaques, to make wishes. After writing them, the plaques are then hung in the designated areas of the shrine.
Shooting at the shrine brought a spiritual and cultural depth to ‘Glass Heart’ that beautifully complemented its emotional themes. Other than Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, the cast and crew also taped some portions at the Saitama Super Arena, which is located at 8 Shintoshin in Chuo Ward. Although they didn’t shoot much at the venue, one important sequence seems to have been recorded in certain areas of the arena with a few extras and main cast members. As the narrative of the show is all about the band, TENBLANK, trying to make it big, shooting in arenas highlights the title’s massive scope. Placing the band in large venues mirrors their growing ambition and the scale of their dreams.
Read More: Is Glass Heart Based on a True Story?
