Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather (2020)
A dark, psychologically charged boys' love anime film set in the brutal world of the Japanese yakuza.
Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather - Movie Information
- Original Title: 囀る鳥は羽ばたかない The clouds gather
- Release Year: 2020
- Directed by: Kaori Makita
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 27, 2020 (Taiwan - 輔15級), July 16, 2020 (South Korea - 청소년관람불가 )
- Alternative Titles: Pájaro que trina no vuela : Nubes que se funden (ES), 鸣鸟不飞：乌云密布 (CN), Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai: The Clouds Gather (JP)
- Production Companies: GRIZZLY
- Production Countries: Japan
Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather - Plot
In the hyper-masculine criminal underworld, a masochistic high-ranking yakuza and his newly-assigned bodyguard become increasingly drawn to each other.
Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Yashiro and Doumeki come to life:
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Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kaori Makita
Main Cast
- Tarusuke Shingaki
- Wataru Hatano
- Hiroki Yasumoto
- Yuki Ono
- Toru Okawa
- Kenta Miyake
- Akimitsu Takase
- Kazuyuki Okitsu
- Takuya Sato
- Takahiro Miyake
Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
Producers
- Yuka Okayasu
Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather - FAQs
What is Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather about?
The film dives into the dangerous world of the yakuza, centering on Yashiro, a high-ranking crime boss with masochistic tendencies, and Doumeki, his stoic new bodyguard. As the two men are forced into close proximity, an intense and complicated attraction slowly develops between them against a backdrop of violence and power.
Is Twittering Birds Never Fly based on a manga?
Yes, the film adapts Kou Yoneda's acclaimed boys' love manga of the same name, originally serialized in Japan. The manga is celebrated for its mature, psychologically complex portrayal of its characters, and the film faithfully captures that dark, emotionally charged tone.
Where can you stream The Clouds Gather?
You can stream Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather on HiDive, either directly or through the Hidive Amazon Channel. Both options offer flat-rate subscription access, so if you already have a HiDive subscription, you're all set to watch.
Does the film have a sequel or continuation?
The Clouds Gather is the first theatrical film in the Twittering Birds Never Fly anime series. It was followed by a second film, No Clouds in the Blue Sky, continuing Yashiro and Doumeki's story. Fans of the manga will find the series covers multiple arcs across the films.
Who are the main voice actors in this film?
The central roles are brought to life by Tarusuke Shingaki as Yashiro and Wataru Hatano as Doumeki. The supporting cast includes Hiroki Yasumoto, Yuki Ono, Toru Okawa, and Kenta Miyake, all of whom are well-known names in the Japanese voice acting world.
Is Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather worth watching?
If you enjoy mature boys' love stories with psychological depth, this one is absolutely worth your time. It stands out in the BL anime genre for its unflinching look at trauma, power dynamics, and emotional vulnerability, wrapped in a stylish yakuza setting that feels genuinely cinematic.
What makes this film different from typical BL anime?
Unlike lighter boys' love titles, The Clouds Gather leans into dark, morally complex territory — exploring masochism, trauma, and the emotional walls people build around themselves. The pacing is deliberate and the character work is unusually nuanced, making it feel closer to a psychological drama than a conventional romance.
Who directed and wrote Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather?
The film was directed by Kaori Makita and written by Hiroshi Seko, a screenwriter known for his work on intense, character-driven anime. Together they bring a restrained, atmospheric quality to the material that elevates it well beyond a straightforward manga adaptation.
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