The Place Promised in Our Early Days

After the defeat in World War II, Japan was divided between the Allies: the northern island of Hokkaido was annexed by the Soviet Union, while Honshu and other southern islands were taken over by the Americans. The Soviets began building a mysterious structure in their occupation zone—a tower of such enormous size that three high school students from American Honshu could clearly see its contours rising into the sky. The friends made a promise to each other that one day they would build an airplane and uncover the secret of the giant tower.

Makoto Shinkai ("Your Name") is one of the leading contemporary Japanese anime directors, creating heavenly, beautiful animations like no other.