Drifting Home

During one sunlit summer, a group of elementary school friends find themselves adrift when their building, abandoned and decaying, begins to float across an endless sea. Kosuke Kumagaya, the cautious planner, and Natsume Tonai, a bold yet anxious girl, are joined by the quiet Noppo, the brave Yuzuru Tachibana, and Taishi Koiwai, a loyal friend. The once familiar hallways dissolve into ever shifting rooms that echo with other people's memories. The kids face fear, loneliness, and the ache of growing up while a touch of magic keeps pushing them forward. As they make their way through the nautical maze, they learn to trust one another and discover what home truly means inside and out, inviting viewers to linger and reflect without rushing.

Directed by Hiroyasu Ishida and built on an original concept by Hayashi Mori, the film showcases Ishida's signature hand drawn aesthetic. It arrived as a Netflix release in 2022, merging fantasy, adventure and themes of friendship into an animated voyage, with pacing that blends quiet character moments and dreamlike visuals inviting viewers to slow down and notice small details.

The title did not have a traditional theatrical release; as a streaming title it reports no widely publicized gross figures. Netflix titles often bypass box office tallies, focusing instead on global viewership and platform reach.

The film has had a noticeable cultural impact among indie animation circles for its watercolor palettes and the way it frames childhood as an emotional landscape. Floating rooms and memories have circulated in discussions about atmospheric storytelling and friendship under pressure.

Reception and themes: The film holds a 7.37 average from about 321 votes, reflecting a solid audience response. Critics highlight its tender look at friendship, resilience, and the uneasy transition from childhood certainty to adult ambiguity, all set inside a dreamlike voyage. The story favors quiet moments and personal growth over action, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on what home means when the world feels uncertain.