Anime film Dokoyori mo Tooi Basho ni Iru Kimi e is set to open in Japanese theaters on October 9, 2026. Ahead of its release, character designer and chief animation director Hechima has shared the creative philosophy behind the film’s nuanced character expressions, and a special line-art correction cut featuring protagonist Tsukigase Kazuki has been unveiled.
From Award-Winning Novel to the Big Screen
The film is based on a popular coming-of-age novel by Abe Akiko, published under Shueisha’s Orange Bunko imprint. Abe is currently one of Japan’s most talked-about authors, having won the 22nd Honya Taisho Award in 2025 for her novel Kafune. The source novel for this film — a story of intertwined feelings and secrets among teenagers — became a viral sensation, particularly on TikTok, before being greenlit for an anime film adaptation.
Staff and Cast
The film is directed by Wada Junichi, known for his delicate emotional storytelling in the HIGH CARD series. The screenplay is written by Kuwamura Sayaka, who has crafted a number of fresh, heartfelt love stories including Strobe Edge and Josee, the Tiger and the Fish. Character design and chief animation direction are handled by Hechima, an illustrator active across games and light novels who is also involved in the currently trending Cho Kaguya-hime!. Singer-songwriter Tota, who commands a devoted following among her generation for her transparent vocals and relatable lyrics, composed both the in-film song “Housenka” and the theme song “Olive” (both on RECA Records). Animation production is by the veteran studio TMS Entertainment / Studio 6, with music by Nakamura Koji.
The story follows Tsukigase Kazuki, a high school boy carrying a certain secret, whose life changes when he encounters a mysterious girl named Nanao collapsed on a beach. Over the course of one summer, the two grow closer as the mysteries of the “Kamikakushi Inlet,” “a secret,” “Marebito,” and “the year 1974” converge into a single, moving truth.
Voice Cast
- Ishibashi Hinata
- Nagase Anna
- Tsuchiya Shinba
- Uesaka Sumire
- Hatano Wataru
- Okamoto Nobuhiko
- Matsuoka Yoshitsugu
- Fujiki Naohito (special friendship appearance)
- Tamaki Hiroshi
Hechima on the Secret Behind Every Expression
Hechima has stated that the guiding principle for character design was “projecting the original novel’s imagery as faithfully as possible.” For Kazuki, a deliberate choice was made to have him wear his school uniform neatly and properly, while the characters around him wear theirs more loosely — a visual shorthand for his personality. For Nanao, who arrives from 1974, the brief called for a white one-piece dress; Hechima researched period fashion and worked through the question of what kind of dress would truly feel like “Nanao.”
Original author Abe Akiko, after watching the completed film, noted that while she had written Kazuki as someone who rarely shows his emotions outwardly, the film made her feel that “Kazuki as a person came through very clearly.” She added with a laugh: “Even though he’s a character I wrote myself, he felt like a slightly different Kazuki — and as I watched, I thought, ‘He’s kind of cute, isn’t he?'”
Hechima described the challenge of conveying the complex inner lives of the teenage characters: “I was conscious of each character’s complicated interior, and I was particular about the nuance of every single line.” He also invited audiences to revisit the film after watching: “After you’ve seen it, it might be fun to try matching up ‘this moment probably corresponds to that’ — I think you’ll enjoy it in a new way.”
A special line-art correction cut of Kazuki, overseen by Hechima in his role as chief animation director, has also been released publicly. Viewers are encouraged to pay close attention to the subtle expressions of each character when the film opens.
Film Details
Anime Film Dokoyori mo Tooi Basho ni Iru Kimi e
Release date: October 9, 2026 (Friday)
- Original work: Abe Akiko, Dokoyori mo Tooi Basho ni Iru Kimi e (Shueisha Orange Bunko)
- Director: Wada Junichi
- Screenplay: Kuwamura Sayaka
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Hechima
- Art Director: Onishi Minoru
- Art Setting: Sakamoto Ryu
- Director of Photography: Kimura Toshiya
- Color Design: Utagawa Ritsuko
- Editor: Sakamoto Kumiko
- Sound Director: Hata Shoji
- Sound Effects: Izumo Noriko
- Sound Production: HALF H·P STUDIO
- Music: Nakamura Koji
- Theme song: Tota – “Olive” (RECA Records)
- In-film song: Tota – “Housenka” (RECA Records)
- Animation production: TMS Entertainment / Studio 6
- Distribution: Shochiku
- Executive producers: Shochiku · Pony Canyon
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