An anime film directed by Hiroyasu Ishida
Every once in a while, I go to Netflix and browse their anime section for animated movies I may have missed throughout any given year. It’s only been within the last year or so when I have started watching all sorts of theatrical releases from Crunchyroll and Gkids, largely due to that market opening up on a wide-scale. I have largely shifted away from watching too many TV shows, animated or not, and now enjoy theatrically-released anime from both a time and budgetary standpoint. There’s just something special about watching a two-hour film with a solid budget to work with, versus a TV series that has to stretch everything out over numerous episodes.
One such browsing session led me to discover Drifting Home, a film I had never heard of but found to have an intriguing premise. Drifting Home is a 2022 Japanese animated film directed by Hiroyasu Ishida and produced by Studio Colorido, the same studio behind Penguin Highway and A Whisker Away.
“Ever since the death of his grandfather, Yasuji, Kousuke Kumagaya has grown distant from his close friend, Natsume Tonai. Having grown up together like siblings in the same apartment building, the two now find themselves at odds with one another due to Natsume’s inability to let go of the past. This rift is further exacerbated by the news that their former complex will soon be demolished. Hearing about a ghost that is supposedly haunting the old complex, Kousuke’s friends drag him into the demolition site to look around, but get far more than they bargained for…”
Drifting Home centers around a group of children who find themselves stranded in an abandoned apartment complex that mysteriously ends up floating in a seemingly endless ocean beyond their own reality. As the group floats through this apocalyptic alternate dimension, they must confront their past memories, unresolved conflicts, and the loss of their childhood. This is one of those movies that the viewer is inclined to constantly guess what sort of twists and turns are coming, but thankfully, it’s not the sort of movie that hinges on a twist ending or shock revelation.
The two main protagonists, Kosuke and Natsume, are richly developed, with the film carefully building their complex, emotionally charged relationship. Kosuke is initially portrayed as emotionally distant, unwilling to confront his memories of the apartment and the changes in his relationship with Natsume. Natsume, on the other hand, carries a deep sadness and guilt that is tied to the loss of her family, which is reflected in her inability to let go of the past. The audience is along for the ride as these two try to reconcile their relationship with the aid of some friends that join them for the ride.
The supporting cast of characters, though colorful, sometimes feels underdeveloped. These characters include Taishi, Juri, Yuzuru, and Reina as well as the mysterious Noppo. This group of children on the drifting apartment includes a range of personalities, some comic relief, some more grounded, but they largely serve to advance the emotional journey of the main duo. While their presence adds variety to the interactions and helps prevent the narrative from becoming too insular, the secondary characters don’t receive the same level of development as Kosuke and Natsume, which might leave some viewers feeling they lacked a substantial role in the story.
I especially was not a fan of a character named Reina (for at least a large portion of the film) as her immature attitude, bullying, and other hijinks was insufferable and only there to create some sort of tension outside of the emotional drama between Kosuke and Natsume. It’s not until towards the end of the film that she somewhat gets tolerable, to which someone says, “you have grown a lot Reina“, which felt somewhat forced. Otherwise, I liked most of the characters, and only wish they would have been fleshed out more. This film has a little bit of a pacing issue, and I wonder if character building would have made it a tighter film.
One of the standout aspects of Drifting Home is its animation. Studio Colorido has become known for its vivid, vibrant art style, and Drifting Home continues this tradition with breathtaking visuals that evoke a strong sense of both wonder and melancholy. I mean, these aren’t Makoto Shinkai “cloud porn” visuals, but everything is well above average for a lot of animated features nowadays. The depiction of the apartment floating through an endless, surreal sea is not something I’ve seen and is a wild take on a semi-post apocalyptic / paranormal setting.
The film’s music, composed by Umitarō Abe, complements the emotional tone of the story. The score ranges from delicate, melancholic piano pieces to more intense orchestral arrangements during moments of conflict or danger. The music works in tandem with the visuals to heighten the emotional stakes, without overpowering the dialogue or character interactions.
The sound design is also immersive, particularly in how it captures the eerie stillness of the drifting building and the rhythmic, sometimes foreboding sound of the waves. The balance between quiet moments and the ambient sounds of the environment helps to create a deeply atmospheric viewing experience.
One of the biggest weaknesses of Drifting Home is its pacing. The film starts strong, establishing the mystery of the drifting apartment building and the strained relationship between the main characters. However, as the narrative progresses, it sometimes slows down, particularly during the middle act, where the emotional revelations can feel repetitive or drawn out. There are numerous times when parts of the group get separated from the rest, and return a bit later with their relationship strengthened by the ordeal. Had this happened once it would have been fine, but it happens more often than it should.
For those who appreciate slower, more meditative storytelling, this pacing might be seen as a strength, as it allows the film’s emotional beats to land more deeply than a lot of others that gloss over such bits of plotting. Despite my reservations, I still quite enjoyed watching this, and it never drifted into what I would consider “boring”. There was always some mystery to keep me on the edge of my seat. I will warn everyone, however, The film’s fantasy world is never fully explained, leaving many questions after the credits roll. While this ambiguity works in service of the film’s emotional themes, some viewers might feel unsatisfied by the lack of clear answers as to why the events of the film happened or what even caused it.
Drifting Home is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores the complexities of childhood, friendship, and the painful process of letting go of the past. While the pacing and character development may not appeal to everyone, the film excels in its thematic depth and emotional sincerity. For fans of Studio Colorido’s previous works or those who enjoy reflective, character-driven storytelling, Drifting Home offers a touching, bittersweet journey. Its beautiful animation and atmospheric tone make it a memorable viewing experience, even if it doesn’t reach the same narrative heights as other contemporary animated films.