Kyoto Animation to Adapt Credits Roll Into The Sea (Umi ga Hashiru Endroll) as an Anime Film

We didn’t have this one on our bingo card, pucha. Kyoto Animation is stepping into a quieter, deeply human story with Credits Roll Into The Sea (Umi ga Hashiru Endroll), announced as an anime film set to open next year. And yes, we’re already holding our hearts with both hands.

What’s coming: a film, a sea of feelings, and a mostro director

The anime film adaptation is in motion, with Taichi Ishidate directing. If that name rings a bell, it should—he’s worked on Violet Evergarden, CITY The Animation, and Beyond the Boundary. Distribution is handled by Shochiku, so the project is getting a proper big-screen runway.

We also got a small but sweet detail: creator John Tarachine marked the announcement with a new celebratory illustration. Not necessary, but asumadre, it hits different when the author shows up with a little gift.

The story: Umiko’s grief turns into a camera-ready spark

At the center is Umiko, a 65-year-old woman mourning the recent loss of her husband. After decades away, she goes to a movie theater again. Not as a grand statement—more like a tentative step back into light, like opening curtains after a long winter.

There she meets Kai, a university student studying film. Umiko isn’t watching the movie the “normal” way. She’s watching people. The audience reactions. The waves of emotion moving seat to seat. Kai notices. Then things get personal and a bit funny in that human way:

• Umiko invites Kai to her home after the screening.
• Kai asks her directly if she’s interested in making films.
• Umiko realizes what she’s been feeling all along.

From there, she dives into filmmaking. Not because it’s trendy. Because it’s alive. Because grief sometimes needs a new chamba to breathe through.

Manga status, release dates, and why it’s already a big deal

Tarachine launched the manga in Akita Shoten’sMystery Bonita magazine in October 2020. The compiled volumes have been rolling out steadily:

• Volume 8 released on July 17.
• The manga is set to end with Volume 9 on May 15.

For English readers, Dark Horse will publish Volume 1 on July 7. If we’re planning our reading-and-crying schedule, that date matters.

And this isn’t a random pick, ojo. The manga has earned serious recognition:

• Topped the female readers ranking in the 2022 edition of Kono Manga ga Sugoi!
• Ranked #6 for female readers in the 2023 edition
• Placed 9th in the 15th Manga Taisho awards (2022)
• Nominated for the 27th and 29thTezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (2023, 2025)

Quick extra: Tarachine’s other work

If we want more from the same creator, Tarachine also made Witch of Thistle Castle (Azami no Shiro no Majo), which ran from February 2019 to December 2020 and collected four volumes (also released in English by Titan Comics).

Now tell us: are we reading the manga first or going into the film blind? Pick your path, mostro. And if you want to be ready, mark the film on your watchlist and preorder/track the English Volume 1 release so this one doesn’t slip past like end credits in a dark theater.