Hello World

Naomi Katagaki is a shy high school student in Kyoto who encounters a man who says he is his future self. The stranger claims he has hacked into the past to save the one he once loved, setting the stage for a collision between memory and possibility. As they talk, Naomi confronts a version of his own life that seems to hinge on choices he has not yet made, and he begins to wonder what it means to truly change what happened. The film blends quiet romance with speculative tech, presenting a modern city as a backdrop for a quiet, aching hope. The idea that time meddling could alter others brings up questions of responsibility and the cost of keeping your promises.

Directed by Tomohiko Ito from an original concept by Mado Nozaki, Hello World was released in 2019 as a standalone anime feature. The project teams Ito with a skilled animation studio, delivering a sleek fusion of science fiction and romance.

Among anime audiences the film sparked discussions about memory and time, with striking visuals and a restrained mood that many viewers found refreshing. Fans highlighted Kyoto locales, the crisp city animation, and the way quiet dialogue carries emotional weight. The film has earned a niche but steady fan following.

Critics praised Hello World for its clear focus on character and for balancing sci fi ideas with a heartfelt romance. The film explores memory, fate, and agency, asking whether changing the past is worth risking the life that already exists.

Animation studio Graphinica brings visuals to film, based on an original concept by Mado Nozaki and directed by Tomohiko Ito. The voice cast includes Takumi Kitamura as Naomi now, Tori Matsuzaka as Naomi future, Minami Hamabe as Ruri Ichigyou, Haruka Fukuhara as Misuzu Kadenokouji, and Minako Kotobuki as Xu Yiyi.