As Fu and her friends begin their third and final year of high school, the photography club gets two new members; freshman Takumi Shindou and sophomore Suzune Maekawa. Thinking about what to do after graduation, Fu decides she wants to pursue a career combining photography and travelling. Afterwards, Fu's family tell Fu about the time she took a picture of her father and first learned about "tamayura" from him. Later, as Chihiro and Tomo pay a visit for the Bamboo Festival, announcing that they plan to study abroad after graduation, Fu is shocked to learn that Riho is planning to leave town. During the festival the next day, as the girls get to see Kanae as part of Sayomi's explorer's club, Fu is approached by Riho, who explains she is going to Tokyo to open a gallery with her friend. Thankful for everything Riho has done for her, Fu promises the carry on her torch in pusuit of a career in photography.
Direction
Sato's gentle framing makes everyday moments feel like memories already
Cinematography
Light-drenched rural Japan that makes you want to book a train ticket
Score
Piano melodies that sound like holding someone's hand
Director
Junichi Sato
Ayana Taketatsu
Fu Sawatari (voice)
Kana Asumi
Kaoru Hanawa (voice)
Yuka Iguchi
Norie Okazaki (voice)
Yuko Gibu
Maon Sakurada (voice)
Ai Kayano
Kanae Mitani (voice)
Aya Uchida
Takumi Shindo (voice)
Chinami Nishimura
Mutsuko Shimokamiyama (voice)
Erino Hazuki
Riho Shihomi (voice)
Jouji Nakata
Maestro (Photo Studio Owner) (voice)
Junji Majima
Kazutaro Dogo (voice)
Mayu Iizuka
Suzune Maekawa (voice)
Megumi Ogata
Tamae Sawatari (voice)
Minako Kotobuki
Chihiro Miyoshi (voice)
Nao Toyama
Tomo-chan (voice)
Ryo Hirohashi
Komachi Shinoda (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The bamboo festival (Tanabata-adjacent) traditionally celebrates wishes written on strips — fitting for a film about deferred dreams.
Director Junichi Sato calls this his most personal work, mirroring his own reluctance to leave rural roots for Tokyo's anime industry.
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