The Stranger by the Shore

Shun Hashimoto, who has just come out, feels adrift in a quiet seaside town. He forms a tentative friendship with Mio Chibana, a thoughtful classmate who offers a listening ear and a sense of belonging before Shun must move away. They spend afternoons by the shore and in small, intimate moments, letting their bond grow without rushing into labels. When time moves on, the distance widens and life carries them along separate paths. Years later Mio returns with something important to share about their past, forcing Shun to reexamine his memories and his sense of self. The film follows their encounter with tenderness, restraint, and the tricky balance between youth and the longing that outlives a summer.

Directed by Akiyo Ohashi and Kanna Kii, The Stranger by the Shore debuted in 2020. It appears to be based on an original story by its creators rather than an adaptation, with Taishi Murata voicing Shun Hashimoto and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka voicing Mio Chibana.

Audiences give the film a 7.9 out of 10 from 153 votes, reflecting a warm reception. The story examines identity and first love through restrained dialogue and intimate moments. It invites viewers to consider honesty, memory, and the impact of choices that shape our lives.

Box office totals for The Stranger by the Shore are not publicly disclosed, and the film did not have widely reported grosses.