Ishidate Returns to the Big Screen
Taichi Ishidate (石立太一), the director behind the Violet Evergarden TV series and its 2020 theatrical film at Kyoto Animation (Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice), is stepping up for another feature. Anime Hack reported that his next project is an anime film adaptation of Tarachine Jon's manga Credits Roll Into the Sea (海が走るエンドロール), slated for a 2027 theatrical release distributed by Shochiku.
Ishidate's most recent directorial work was CITY THE ANIMATION, a 2025 TV series that marked his first time as sole series director. The jump back to theatrical production puts him in the format where his work on Violet Evergarden: The Movie earned widespread acclaim.
A 65-Year-Old Protagonist Picks Up a Camera
The manga follows Umiko Kayano, a 65-year-old woman whose husband has passed away. Her life shifts when she meets Kai Hamauchi (濱内海), an art student whose presence sparks something unexpected — Umiko realizes she doesn't just want to watch films. She wants to make them. The story tracks her journey as she learns filmmaking from the ground up.
It's a premise that stands out in a medium where teenage protagonists dominate. The manga earned the top spot in the women's category of Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022, the annual ranking published by Takarajimasha. Serialized in Akita Shoten's Mystery Bonita magazine, the series wrapped with its ninth and final volume on May 15, 2026 — and the anime film announcement arrived the same week.
The Teaser and the Director's Words
A brief teaser released alongside the announcement shows Umiko standing at the seaside at sunrise, camera in hand, accompanied by narration wishing her a light burden, a beautiful sea ahead, and wind at her back. It's a quiet, mood-driven tease — no dialogue, no cast reveals, no plot beats. Just the character and the horizon.
In his official statement, Ishidate described his first impression of the manga as "What a gentle work this is" and said he wants viewers to feel that gentleness even more strongly in the animated version. He framed the story as being about the universal act of confronting oneself through creative work — not limited to filmmaking, but applicable to anyone taking on a challenge. He closed by asking audiences to see the film in theaters when it arrives.
Original author Tarachine Jon called the announcement a dream come true, saying she wouldn't have believed it as a student watching Kyoto Animation's works. She expressed deep emotion at the idea of Umiko herself appearing on the screen Umiko once admired.
Looking Ahead
The film is confirmed for 2027 in Japanese theaters via Shochiku, though no specific date or season has been announced. No international theatrical or streaming partners have been revealed yet. Previous Kyoto Animation theatrical films, including Violet Evergarden: The Movie, eventually reached international markets through various distributors and later landed on Netflix, so a similar path is plausible — but nothing is confirmed.
For fans who want to read ahead, the source manga is licensed in English by Dark Horse Comics under the title Credits Roll Into the Sea. Volume 1 is scheduled for release on July 7, 2026, with translation by Jocelyne Allen. The complete Japanese run spans nine volumes.
No voice cast has been announced. With the teaser offering only narration and visuals, casting reveals will likely come in a future promotional cycle as the 2027 premiere approaches.