Nene Otsuka

Twelve-year-old Koichi lives with his mother and retired grandparents in the southern region of Japan. His younger brother Ryunosuke lives with their father in the northern region of Japan. The brothers have been separated by their parents’ divorce and Koichi’s only wish is for his family to be reunited. When he learns that a new bullet train line will soon open linking the two towns, he starts to believe that a miracle will take place the moment these new trains first pass each other at top speed. With help from the adults around him, Koichi sets out on a journey with a group of friends, each hoping to witness a miracle.

Both the director and writer behind Fish Story bring another topsy-turvy tale that will have you guessing until the thrilling climax! Moving into his new apartment in Sendai, college student Shiina (Hamada Gaku) meets his new neighbour Kawasaki (Eita). Tall, confident Kawasaki and short, mild-mannered Shiina seem to be unlikely candidates for friendship, but they click over a mutual interest in Bob Dylan. Kawasaki is an odd duck, but in an irresistibly cool and charming kind of way, and Shiina can't help but be drawn into his more exciting, if slightly loony world. Kawasaki's head is full of unpredictable ideas, like his absurd warnings about pet shop owner Reiko (Otsuka Nene) or his even more absurd plan to steal a dictionary for their Butanese neighbor. Next thing Shiina knows, he's standing watch with a toy gun outside the bookstore, on the beginning of their bizarre, existential adventure.

With only a year left to live, 17-year-old Akito finds new meaning in life by bringing joy to a terminally ill girl who has just six months remaining.