Synopsis

Set in an all-girls Christian boarding school, the story follows Anna, a girl who has always felt like an outsider due to her ability to see ghosts. Her roommate, Rika, on the other hand, is the complete opposite—an effortlessly popular, well-liked honors student admired by everyone. But when Rika takes her own life, the entire school is shaken, none more so than her closest friend, Shiori who struggles to make sense of the loss.. After discovering Rika’s diary, Anna begins to feel her spirit manifest before her, slowly seeping into her body…This fully original tale blends coming-of-age drama, horror, and dance, setting a new standard for genre-defying storytelling.

Festivals & Awards

2025 73rd San Sebastian International Film Festival – New Director

Scriptwriter(s)

Yukari Sakamoto

Producer(s)

Teruhisa Yamamoto

Executive Producer(s)

Yuji Sadai

Key Casts

Anji Ikehata, Nico Aoto, Mugi Kadowaki

Curators’ note

Director’s Statement

Based on Gin Miyoshi’s poetic and fantastical manga The Road to the Seaside, the director describes the work’s gentle embrace of human contradictions. In a society that has lost tolerance and demands perfection, the manga’s liars, absurdities, and dark humor offer a sense of relief. Grateful for the chance to adapt it into a film, the director spent years exploring countless creative choices in writing, shooting, and editing—possibilities made possible by the openness of the original. The film aims to inherit Miyoshi’s spirit of acceptance, allowing viewers to interpret the story freely—or not at all. Ultimately, it celebrates the beauty of small, nameless lives through humor and warmth, inviting audiences to simply enjoy this modest, compassionate story that reflects both the flaws and resilience of humanity.