Tonight 9 PM: Hosoda Mamoru’s Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo Airing! Script by ‘Kokuhou’ Okudera Satoko! Was Insert Song Produced Before Theme Song!? What Are Lead Actor Naka Riisa’s Memories? Trivia Summary

On Friday, November 28, 2025, starting at 9:00 PM, `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) will be broadcast on Nippon TV’s “Kin’you Roadshow.” This broadcast marks the fourth week of “Hosoda Mamoru Month” in November, a special programming event featuring four consecutive films by Hosoda Mamoru-kantoku, held to commemorate the release of his latest work, `Hateshinaki Scarlet`.

This article will delve into the film’s overview and synopsis, along with some intriguing tidbits that are sure to enhance your viewing experience.

What is `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo`? A High School Girl Acquires Time-Leap Abilities and Discovers the Meaning of “Irreplaceable Time in Life” – Synopsis Unveiled

Initial Reception Upon Release

Serving as the grand finale of “Hosoda Mamoru Month,” `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` is truly a foundational work in Hosoda Mamoru-kantoku’s filmography, marking his first full-length feature after embarking on his career as a freelance director. The film is based on a science fiction novel of the same title by Tsutsui Yasutaka, first published in 1965, which has seen numerous adaptations into live-action and animated works over the years. Among these, the 1983 film adaptation directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko, starring Harada Tomoyo, became a major hit and remains highly revered as a “monument of youth cinema.” Hosoda-kantoku’s film, set approximately 20 years after Obayashi’s version, takes place in the year 2006, the year of its release, and tells the story of Konno Makoto, the niece of the original novel’s protagonist, Yoshiyama Kazuko.

Initially, `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` was released on a scale comparable to an independent art-house film, opening in just a modest 6 theaters during its first week with only 13 film prints. However, thanks to a groundswell of positive word-of-mouth and online buzz, it quickly became so popular that it attracted standing-room-only crowds daily. This led to a continuous expansion of its screening venues, eventually reaching over 100 theaters nationwide.

Anime! Anime! reported on this surging popularity in early August 2006, shortly after its July 15th release, highlighting how the film was rapidly gaining recognition and expanding its theatrical presence. In a summer dominated by major animated blockbusters like `Gedo Senki` (Tales from Earthsea), `Brave Story`, `Pokemon`, and `Cars`, `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` defied expectations with its small-scale debut, proving the power of critical acclaim and audience engagement.

Ultimately, the film achieved an exceptional 40-week long theatrical run, a rarity for Japanese cinema. Furthermore, the film’s content was highly praised, culminating in it winning the prestigious Best Animation Film Award at the Japan Academy Prize, among many other domestic and international film awards, solidifying its status as a modern classic.

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo: Main Visual

Synopsis

It’s the summer of her second year of high school. Konno Makoto enjoys her carefree days hanging out with two classmates: Tsuda Kousuke, who aims for medical school, and Mamiya Chiaki, a transfer student who arrived in spring. One fateful day, Makoto experiences a bizarre phenomenon: as her broken bicycle careens towards a railway crossing, she suddenly leaps through time.

When Makoto consults her aunt, Yoshiyama Kazuko, about the incident, she learns it’s a “time-leap” and that it’s “a common occurrence” for girls her age. Makoto eagerly begins to use this newfound power to resolve minor frustrations and fulfill desires in her otherwise ordinary life, turning her unlucky days into a streak of good fortune.

Makoto’s life suddenly transforms into a rose-colored dream. However, her time-leaping ability has a limit, and she soon realizes she has only one leap left. To make matters worse, she becomes flustered when Chiaki points out her time-leaping, causing her to accidentally use her last remaining leap. Just then, Makoto witnesses Kousuke and Fujitani Kaho on *her* bicycle, which now has faulty brakes, speeding towards the railway crossing. As the bicycle crashes into the tracks and the two are thrown into the air, Makoto screams, “Stop–!!” and time itself freezes.

【Trivia 1】Breaking a 22-Year Record for Japanese Live-Action Films: Okudera Satoko of `Kokuho` Penned the Script / About the Staff

It’s particularly noteworthy for current viewers that the screenplay for `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` was penned by Okudera Satoko, who recently made headlines. Her latest work, `Kokuho` (National Treasure), broke box office records for a Japanese live-action film, surpassing 17.37 billion yen in revenue over 172 days in 2025, thus eclipsing the 2003 record set by `Odoru Daisousasen THE MOVIE 2 Rainbow Bridge wo Fuusa seyo!` (Bayside Shakedown 2). This achievement by Okudera-san is certainly something to keep in mind as you re-watch this film.

While Okudera-san has since formed a formidable creative partnership with Hosoda-kantoku, contributing to `Summer Wars` (2009, screenplay), `Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki` (Wolf Children, 2012, co-screenplay with Hosoda-kantoku), and `Bakemono no Ko` (The Boy and the Beast, 2015, script assistance), `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` marked her very first foray into anime. Okudera-san’s masterful scripting, which delicately illuminates the intricate relationships and emotional nuances of characters in both anime like Hosoda-kantoku’s works and live-action films such as `Kokuho` and `Youkame no Semi` (Rebirth, 2011)—earning her numerous screenwriting awards—is something we can truly appreciate anew on this occasion.

【Trivia 2】Was the Insert Song “Kawaranai Mono” Produced Before the Theme Song “Garnet”?! / About Oku Hanako’s Music

Speaking of `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo`, both the theme song “Garnet” and the insert song “Kawaranai Mono” (Unchanging Thing), both composed and performed by Oku Hanako, are widely celebrated as crucial and beautiful pieces that are integral to the film. The fascinating backstory behind these songs was shared by Oku-san herself in August 2018 during a mini-live concert screening of `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` at the “Hosoda Mamoru Film Festival.” This event celebrated the release of Hosoda-kantoku’s then-latest film, `Mirai no Mirai` (Mirai, 2018), and Anime! Anime! even published a report on it.

According to Oku-san, her connection with `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` began when “her then-producer was involved in the same project.” Her CD then found its way into Hosoda-kantoku’s hands, leading to her selection as the theme song artist. Oku-san also revealed that the theme song “Garnet” was created with the request to make it “a film that makes you want to look up at the blue sky after watching it.” Interestingly, she also disclosed that the very first song she composed for the film was the insert song “Kawaranai Mono,” which was inspired by the key character Chiaki. So, when you watch the film, be sure to immerse yourself not only in the story but also in the rich emotions evoked by both of Oku-san’s beloved tracks.

【Trivia 3】Konno Makoto’s Voice Actress, Naka Riisa, Was Just 16 Years Old at the Time! This Film Made Her “Love Her Own Voice” / About the Cast

The role of Konno Makoto, the protagonist of `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo`, was voiced by Naka Riisa, an actress who was only 16 years old at the time of the film’s release and had just made her acting debut. Naka-san shot to prominence with her compelling performance in this film. When `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` was previously featured on “Kin’you Roadshow” on July 1, 2022, Naka-san shared a heartwarming comment: “I am so happy that my beloved `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` will be broadcast on Kin’you Roadshow again after so long. It is a memorable work that made me come to love my own voice.”

Makoto’s journey—from initially using her abilities for trivial complaints and desires to eventually discovering the profound meaning of “irreplaceable time in life”—is truly radiant and reminds us of important truths. This captivating portrayal of the protagonist is undoubtedly amplified by Naka-san’s passionate vocal performance. Be sure to pay close attention to her fresh and earnest voice acting.

The cast also includes Ishida Takuya, an actor who debuted the year prior, as the voice of the transfer student Mamiya Chiaki. The voice of Yoshiyama Kazuko, the original novel’s protagonist and Makoto’s aunt, was played by actress Hara Sachie. Additionally, Itakura Mitsutaka lent his voice to Tsuda Kousuke, Tanimura Mitsuki to Fujitani Kaho, and Sekido Yuuki to Konno Miyuki, rounding out a talented ensemble.

`TokiKake` is Truly the ‘Origin’ – Comment Arrives from Hosoda-kantoku / First Look at the Beginning of `Hateshinaki Scarlet` Also Revealed

In anticipation of this broadcast on “Kin’you Roadshow,” Hosoda-kantoku highlighted the common threads between `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` and his latest film, `Hateshinaki Scarlet`. He commented, “Both stories revolve around encounters that transcend time and space, featuring women who are influenced by figures from the future and consequently look towards their own future. Both works also share the theme of promises made across time and space, and the men and women who share those promises.” He then passionately urged viewers, saying, “As `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` is truly a foundational work that leads directly to `Hateshinaki Scarlet`, you definitely won’t want to miss it!”

＜Full Comment from Hosoda Mamoru-kantoku＞

“There are commonalities between `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` and `Hateshinaki Scarlet`. Both feature encounters that transcend time and space, telling stories of women who are influenced by individuals from the future and subsequently turn their gaze towards the future. Furthermore, both works revolve around promises made across the fabric of time and space, and the men and women who forge these bonds, making them interconnected in that sense as well.

`Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` is truly a foundational work that paves the way for `Hateshinaki Scarlet`, so please enjoy it thoroughly!”

This week, in the latter half of the program, a special treat awaits: the first seven minutes and eight seconds of `Hateshinaki Scarlet`, currently in theaters, will be unveiled. Be sure to stay tuned until the very end!

【Trailer 1】`Hateshinaki Scarlet` ＜Releasing November 21st (Friday)＞

The fourth film of “Hosoda Mamoru Month” on Nippon TV’s “Kin’you Roadshow,” `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo`, will air tonight, November 28th (Friday), starting at 9:00 PM.

【Broadcast Date & Time・Production Information】

Tonight from 9:00 PM to 11:09 PM *Broadcast slot extended by 15 minutes
`Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` (2006) *Full-length feature, no cuts

Staff

Cast (Voice Actors)

【Upcoming Broadcast Lineup】

• Tonight at 9:00 PM: `Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo` *Full-length feature, no cuts
• December 5th at 9:00 PM: `Zootopia` *Full-length feature, no cuts
• December 12th at 9:00 PM: `Wish` *Full-length feature, no cuts

(C)2006 TK/FP

By Nakase Koutarou