If there’s one studio in this industry with an honorary diploma in making us cry, it’s Kyoto Animation. Start buying tissues wholesale, because Flag Pictures has just confirmed they will adapt the acclaimed work Credits Roll into the Sea (Umi ga Hashiru Endroll for purists) into a spectacular anime film. The only bad news is that we’ll have to arm ourselves with patience, as the film is scheduled for its big premiere in Japanese cinemas in 2027.

And if you doubted the caliber of this production, the committee dropped an absolute bomb: Taichi Ishidate will be the lead director. Yes, we’re talking about the very genius who emotionally devastated us with Violet Evergarden and Beyond the Boundary. Considering the insane level of detail and beautiful animation that KyoAni always handles, combined with the official distribution by Shochiku, we’re looking at a project aimed directly at winning all the awards in the Japanese film industry.

A gem that bids farewell to magazines at its peak

The timing of the announcement is pure poetry, as the original manga by John Tarachine will release its ninth and final volume on this very same May 15th. Forget generic school dramas; this work is a heavyweight that swept up, taking first place in the guide Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022 and collecting nominations for the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. Tarachine, who was already known for publishing Witch of Thistle Castle, even released a special illustration to celebrate his peak work making the definitive leap to the big screen.

Synopsis of Credits Roll into the Sea

Umiko is a 65-year-old woman who, after becoming a widow, decides to return to a movie theater after an eternity. However, during the screening, she realizes she’s more fascinated by observing the audience’s reactions than by what’s happening on screen. Her unusual behavior catches the attention of Kai, a university student majoring in film, who, after talking with her, asks her a question that blows her mind: “Are you someone who wants to make movies, right?”. That simple phrase is the trigger for Umiko to awaken a dormant passion and bravely dive into the challenging but beautiful world of filmmaking.

Are you ready for KyoAni to squeeze every last tear out of us with this story about starting over in old age?