📝 Highlights & Appeal Light spoilers
01① An original theatrical film by Sword Art Online's Tomohiko Ito
Director Tomohiko Ito, known for both the TV and film versions of Sword Art Online, takes on a completely original screenplay for this sci-fi youth romance.
02② An odd buddy pair with "Naomi from 10 years later"
A young man calling himself Naomi from ten years in the future appears before the shy, present-day Naomi. The premise of the same person from two different eras teaming up drives the entire story.
03③ A race against time to change Ruri's fate
Naomi learns that Ruri, whom he'll fall for in three months, is fated to die in an accident afterward — setting off a race against the clock to save her.
04④ Takumi Kitamura in his first voice-acting role
The protagonist Naomi is voiced by actor Takumi Kitamura in his first-ever voice role, joined by a cast of accomplished actors including Tori Matsuzaka and Minami Hamabe.
05⑤ Near-future visuals built on real Kyoto locations
The film builds its near-future visuals — including scenes of the city crumbling and swirling into the sky — on real Kyoto landmarks like its five-story pagoda and vermillion bridges.
06⑥ Theme songs by the specially formed 2027Sound project
Under the specially formed "2027Sound" banner, the film features three theme songs: "Shinsekai" by OKAMOTO'S, "Yesterday" by Official HIGE DANdism, and "Lost Game" by Nulbarich.
07⑦ Character design by Yukiko Horiguchi
According to a behind-the-scenes anecdote, character designer Yukiko Horiguchi's comment that "a heroine who isn't cute on the poster is unthinkable" helped settle the final direction for Ruri's design.
08⑧ A shocking ending that flips everything in its final second
True to its tagline "this story flips in its last second," the film delivers a major twist tied to the true nature of the world itself.
💡 Key Points & Predictions Some spoilers
As Naomi and future-Naomi race to save Ruri, expect close attention to how and at what cost they use the raven Karasu's limited world-rewriting power. Toward the end, a major twist tied to the true nature of the world itself is said to await — with hints scattered throughout the first half that make viewers want to rewatch it once the truth is known.
🧾 Story So Far Contains spoilers
A young man calling himself Naomi from ten years in the future appears before the shy Naomi. He reveals that in three months, Naomi will fall for fellow library committee member Ruri, only for her to die in an accident afterward. To save her, present and future Naomi work together, borrowing the power of the three-legged raven Karasu to head off the dangers closing in on Ruri one by one.
✅ Recommended Viewing Points
Recommended for anyone who wants both a solid sci-fi premise from Sword Art Online director Tomohiko Ito and a fresh, youthful romance set in Kyoto. The major twist in the final act is best experienced for the first time without spoilers.
👀 Trivia & Fun Facts
💫 Unresolved Foreshadowing Contains spoilers
- Hints planted from early on suggest the true nature of the world Naomi lives in will be shaken to its core by the film's end.
- The purpose of Altala, the facility led by Tsunehisa Senko, is directly tied to the world's central secret.
- The limits and costs of Karasu's power are gradually revealed each time it's used.
💌 Predicted Viral Quotes for Next Season
"This story flips in its last second." — The promotional line used at release, teasing the film's shocking ending.
"I'm you, ten years from now." — Naomi's line introducing himself to his younger self, marking the story's beginning.