Pony Canyon has revealed the first trailer for To You in the Beyond, an anime film that adapts the award-winning novel by Akiko Abe. Directed by Junichi Wada, the story is set in 1974 on Tokishima island and explores the emotions and secrets of a group of young people, focusing on the protagonist Kazuki Tsukigase and his encounter with the enigmatic Nanao. Produced by TMS Entertainment with a musical theme by Tota, its release in Japan is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
TMS Entertainment and the Challenge of Recreating the 1970s Visual Atmosphere 🎨
TMS Entertainment's production faces the task of reconstructing a period setting without relying on contemporary digital references. The art design and color aim to evoke the palette and texture of the 1970s decade, which involves research into photographic and cinematic materials from the era. Tokishima island, as the main setting, requires landscape treatment that combines hand-painted backgrounds with digital compositions to achieve a tangible sense of isolation and nostalgia.
Island Secrets and the Advantage of No Social Media in 1974 🤫
The plot revolves around youthful secrets that, in the current era, would have been a trending topic on X before recess. The 1974 setting ensures that the characters can keep their mysteries for more than five minutes without a WhatsApp message or an Instagram story giving them away. The drama is sustained by the anachronism of communication that relies on letters and face-to-face conversations, a concept that today seems almost like science fiction.