by Hiroshi Tamaki has opened up about his long-standing desire to participate in a Japanese anime production after joining the cast of the upcoming animated film To You Who Are in the Farthest Place. The actor appears in the movie as Takatsu, an important character who becomes a trusted confidant to the story’s protagonists.
The feature-length anime film is scheduled to open in theaters across Japan on Friday, October 9, 2026. Ahead of the theatrical release, an interview video featuring Tamaki has been unveiled, giving fans a closer look at his connection to the film’s setting and his thoughts on taking part in the production.
The movie will also be supported by special stage greeting events on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11. Several members of the main cast, including Hiyori Ishibashi and Anna Nagase, are scheduled to appear alongside director Junichi Wada.
Hiroshi Tamaki Says He Has Always Wanted to Work in Japanese Anime
To You Who Are in the Farthest Place is a feature-length animated adaptation of the coming-of-age novel by Akiko Abe. The original novel won the 22nd Japan Booksellers’ Award in 2025 and has attracted attention for its emotional story and distinctive setting.
The film follows Kazuki Tsukigase, a first-year high school student who carries a personal secret, and Nanao, a mysterious girl who washes ashore on a beach and claims that she is from 1974.
Their unexpected encounter sets the story in motion, gradually connecting the present with the past and bringing together characters whose lives are shaped by memories, relationships, and the passage of time.
Tamaki plays Takatsu, a character who becomes closely involved with the protagonists and serves as an important source of support during their journey.
Although Tamaki is already an established actor with previous voice-acting experience, he revealed that working on a Japanese animated production had been a personal ambition for some time.
In the interview, Tamaki explained that he had long admired the quality and appeal of Japanese animation. Receiving the offer to participate in To You Who Are in the Farthest Place therefore came as a particularly meaningful opportunity.
He said that he had always felt the greatness of Japanese animation whenever he watched it and had often thought that it would be wonderful to become involved in an anime production himself. As a result, he was genuinely happy when he received the offer.
His comments offer a glimpse into the personal motivation behind his participation and highlight the appeal of anime not only to audiences but also to performers from outside the traditional voice-acting industry.
Tamaki’s Special Connection to Oki Island
One of the most personal aspects of Tamaki’s involvement in the movie is his connection to Oki, the island that serves as the setting and inspiration for the story.
Tamaki revealed that his grandparents lived in Oki and that he himself visited the islands almost every year while growing up. Because of those childhood experiences, the location holds a special place in his memories.
He described Oki as a place that represents a quintessential Japanese landscape, surrounded by abundant nature and possessing an almost mystical atmosphere.
That connection gave Tamaki another reason to feel particularly close to the project. Rather than simply joining an animated movie as a voice actor, he was able to participate in a story connected to a place that had already been meaningful to him since childhood.
The natural scenery of Oki is also expected to play an important role in the movie. The island’s coastline, landscape,s and atmosphere help establish the emotional tone of the story, making the setting more than simply a backdrop for the characters.
“A Beautiful Film That Cleanses the Soul”
Tamaki also shared his positive impression of the finished project.
He described To You Who Are in the Farthest Place as a beautiful work that “cleanses the soul.” He also praised the unique charm that can be expressed through animation and encouraged audiences to experience the movie on the big screen.
In particular, he highlighted the film’s beautiful scenery.
This suggests that the movie is designed not only as a character-driven coming-of-age story but also as a visually immersive experience. The combination of emotional storytelling, animation, and the natural beauty of Oki is expected to be one of the film’s major attractions.
For viewers who enjoy anime movies that focus on human relationships, memories, mystery,ery and emotional growth, the film offers several elements to look forward to.
What Is To You Who Are in the Farthest Place About?
The story centers on Kazuki Tsukigase, a first-year high school student who has a secret that she keeps to herself.
Her life changes when she encounters Nanao, a mysterious girl who washes ashore on a beach. Nanao claims to have come from 1974, immediately raising questions about who she is and how she could possibly have arrived in the present day.
The unusual encounter becomes the starting point for a story that connects different generations and periods of time.
As Kazuki and Nanao gradually learn more about each other, the film explores themes such as friendship, memories, youth, family connections, and the passage of time.
The presence of Takatsu, played by Tamaki, adds another important layer to the story as the characters navigate the mystery surrounding Nanao and the events that bring them together.
Main Cast Members to Attend Special Stage Greetings
To celebrate the movie’s theatrical release, special stage greeting events have been announced for October 10 and October 11.
The first event will take place on Saturday, October 10, at Marunouchi Piccadilly in Tokyo.
Scheduled guests include:
- Hiyori Ishibashi, voice of Kazuki Tsukigase
- Anna Nagase, voice of Nanao
- Shinba Tsuchiya, voice of Mikiya Ozaki
- Hiroshi Tamaki, voice of Takatsu
- Director Junichi Wada
The cast and director are expected to discuss their experiences working on the film, their impressions of the story, and memorable moments from the voice-recording sessions.
A second stage greeting will be held on Sunday, October 11, at United Cinemas Toyosu.
The lineup for the second event includes Ishibashi and Nagase, along with Nobuhiko Okamoto, Wataru Hatan,o and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka.
Okamoto voices Akimitsu Yano, Kazuki’s roommate at the dormitory, while Hatano plays Shuji Aiba and Matsuoka voices Yoshiki Suga.
The two-day event will give audiences an opportunity to hear directly from the cast members about the making of the film and the characters they portray.
Why Hiroshi Tamaki’s Participation Is Significant
Tamaki’s involvement adds another point of interest to To You Who Are in the Farthest Place. Known primarily for his work as an actor, his enthusiasm for Japanese animation makes his participation especially noteworthy.
His personal connection to Oki also gives his role an additional emotional dimension. Having spent time on the islands since childhood, Tamaki was already familiar with the environment and atmosphere that inspired the film.
For audiences, this connection may make his comments about the movie’s scenery particularly interesting. The film’s setting is closely tied to its story, and Tamaki’s memories of Oki provide a personal perspective on the location.
At the same time, his comments about wanting to participate in anime production demonstrate how Japanese animation continues to attract performers from different areas of the entertainment industry.
Release Date and What to Expect
To You Who Are in the Farthest Place will be released nationwide in Japan on Friday, October 9, 2026.
With its combination of coming-of-age drama, mystery, emotional relationships, and time-related elements, the film is positioned as an anime story that reaches beyond a conventional school setting.
The connection between Kazuki and Nanao forms the heart of the story, while the mysterious circumstances surrounding Nanao’s arrival from 1974 create the central question that drives the narrative forward.
The movie’s Oki setting is another major attraction, particularly for viewers who appreciate anime films that place strong emphasis on atmosphere and scenery.
With Hiroshi Tamaki also expressing his excitement about finally being involved in a Japanese anime production, interest in the film is building ahead of its theatrical debut.
To You Who Are in the Farthest Place
Theatrical Release: Friday, October 9, 2026
Format: Feature-length animated film
Original Work: Akiko Abe
Main Cast: Hiyori Ishibashi, Anna Nagase, Shinba Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Tamaki, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Wataru Hatano and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Director: Junichi Wada
Setting: Oki Islands
Stage Greeting — October 10
Venue: Marunouchi Piccadilly, Tokyo
Guests: Hiyori Ishibashi, Anna Nagase, Shinba Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Tamaki and director Junichi Wada
Stage Greeting — October 11
Venue: United Cinemas Toyosu
Guests: Hiyori Ishibashi, Anna Nagase, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Wataru Hatano and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
With its emotional coming-of-age story, mysterious time-travel element, beautiful Oki scenery,ery and an experienced cast led by Hiyori Ishibashi and Anna Nagase, To You Who Are in the Farthest Place is set to bring a distinctive original story to Japanese theaters this October.
For Hiroshi Tamaki, the project is also a personal milestone, allowing him to take part in the Japanese animation industry he has admired for years. His special connection to Oki makes the project even more meaningful, and fans can look forward to hearing more from the cast during the release events.
