Beside Shimogamo Shrine during an autumn twilight, a third-year university student meets a deity with an eggplant-shaped head at a secluded ramen shop. This divine figure, rumored to oversee marriages, triggers the student to recall his first two years of college, which were marked by pointless efforts to interfere with campus romances, largely driven by the influence of his strange companion, Ozu, whose behavior appears designed to torment him. Determined to maximize his final year, the student attempts to court Akashi, a shy but gentle junior, only to be consumed by deep regret over his past choices. After this realization, he is sent back to the start of his university life, granted a fresh opportunity to mold his destiny. Featuring stunning visuals and profound psychological layers, The Tatami Galaxy follows a young man's bizarre journey in search of friendship, love, and the vibrant college experience he had always dreamed of.

In this installment

On a sweltering summer day in Kyoto, a college student returns to his dormitory, intending to escape the heat with the air conditioner. His plans go awry when Ozu accidentally spills soda on the remote, breaking it and leaving the air conditioner useless. He and his roommates are then forced to endure the oppressive August heat. As their irritation grows, the group discovers a genuine time machine hidden in their storage closet. Ignoring the potential dangers, they choose to travel back in time to prevent Ozu from damaging the remote. Their effort, however, plunges them into an unexpected and chaotic chain of events.

Background

Yojouhan Time Machine Blues premiered in Japanese theaters for a limited three-week run starting on September 30, 2022. The sixth episode—which features original content—is not included in the compiled film version. For the first two weeks of the film's release, attendees were gifted one of two short stories written by Tomihiko Morimi.

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Prequel