Patema Inverted

Patema lives in a civilization that tunnels ever deeper beneath the planet, where people move through dim corridors and lantern-lit chambers to stay hidden from the dangers above. A reckless moment on a forbidden overlook sends her tumbling into a strange upper world that feels upside down, where objects float and the rules of gravity seem inverted. There she encounters Age, a curious young resident who has learned to cope with this strange environment, but who carries his own fears about what lies beyond his home. They form a cautious alliance, trading trust for support as they plot a way back to their respective communities while avoiding captors and traps that threaten both sides. Their bond tests assumptions about danger, hope, and where belonging truly lies, forcing each to reconsider the myths about the other world that their communities have taught them.

Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura and released in 2013, Patema Inverted is an original anime feature not based on a book or manga; Yukiyo Fujii provides Patema's voice and Nobuhiko Okamoto voices Age, giving the leads a lively dynamic.

Box office figures are not widely reported, reflecting the film's modest global release and status as a niche anime title rather than a mainstream blockbuster. It found audiences primarily through festival circuits and limited overseas screenings.

Patema Inverted has become a notable example of inventive world-building in anime. Its visual contrast between the dim underground world and the bright inverted surface invites discussion about perspective and fate. Fans cite its memorable set pieces and the way it treats science as a storytelling tool rather than mere spectacle.

Reception and themes drew praise from critics who applaud its smart premise, the emotional rapport between Patema and Age, and its striking animation. Core ideas include curiosity versus fear, bonds across unfamiliar cultures, and the costs of crossing boundaries in search of a shared future.