Written by Yoshi Yukino (13 Jun 2003)
In the rustic northeast of Japan, three teenagers spend their fifteenth summer dreaming of the skies, the abandoned aircraft they found that would soar into the blue yonder, and the mysterious tower beyond the clouds. The year is 1996. Japan lies divded since the end of World War II, with Hokkaido claimed by the Soviet Union, and Honshuu occupied by American forces.
FUJISAWA Hiroki and SHIRAKAWA Takuya are teenagers living in Aomori. On the other side of the Tsugaru straits, they could see the huge tower that fills them with such longing and awe--a towering edifice built by the Soviets which purpose no one knew. When the two stumble upon an abandoned military aircraft, they decide to reassemble it, longing for the day it would soar towards the tower. SAWATARI Sayuri is a classmate of the boys who meets up with them after class. The tower beyond the clouds, the warm affections of Sayuri--such are the dreams of the 15-year-old boys.
But their dreams are shattered during their third year of middle school. Sayuri mysteriously succumbs to amnesia and is transferred to a new school in Tokyo. Disillusioned, the boys soon give up on refitting their aircraft.
The year is 2001, Tokyo. Hiroki and Takuya, now studying in university, chanced to meet each other. When they realise that Sayuri remains in a coma, they decide to find a way to save her, unaware that this would lead them to the secrets behind the tower and Sayuri.
Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho (Beyond the Clouds, Where We Promised to Meet) is SHINKAI Makoto's latest work to follow his 2001 sci-fi romance, Hoshi no Koe (The Voice of a Distant Star). While the latter tells a story of a long-distance relationship, Kumo no Mukou features one more similar to Sleeping Beauty. Shinkai began work on Kumo no Mukou in October, 2002, releasing a three-minute trailer in December that same year. The 50-minute animation is the longest work he has done, and will feature the talents of Tenmon (music), and TAZAWA Oshio (artwork).
Kumo no Mukou is schduled for release later this year.
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