Small town, big feelings, one brushstroke at a time.
An introverted schoolgirl falls in love and starts a relationship with one of her classmates. Set in a small seaside town in Japan.
Cinematography
Sea and sky merge in endless blue — the film's silent third character.
Acting
Ichikawa's stillness speaks volumes; every withheld glance cuts deep.
Production
Shot on location in Shima — salt air practically seeps through the screen.
Director
Hiroshi Ando
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Kiriko Nananan's seminal 1996 manga, one of the first mainstream GL works in Japan.
The 'blue' of the title references both the ocean and 'aoi' — Japanese slang for inexperienced, naive, or queer youth.
JP
