Synopsis
In sixth grade, Kanna Hayama once loved running—a passion she shared with her mother, Yayoi. But after Yayoi's death, running became a painful memory. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she learns a hidden truth about her mother. Kanna meets a celestial messenger disguised as her pet rabbit, Shiro, and a demonic boy named Yasha. They reveal that Yayoi was an "Idaten," a divine being blessed with incredible speed, whose duty was to deliver offerings from across Japan to the annual Kamiari Festival in Izumo. As Yayoi's daughter and the new bearer of the Idaten charm, Kanna inherits this mission. Failing could bring disaster to the entire country. Driven by the hope of reuniting with her mother at the divine gathering, Kanna accepts the task and enlists Shiro and Yasha as her companions. Unaware of the full cost, she embarks on a grueling journey that will challenge not only her physical endurance but also her emotional strength.
Background
Kamiarizuki no Kodomo is a Cretica Universal project, financed through three crowdfunding campaigns on Sony’s First Flight website from March 27, 2019 to June 1, 2020. While initially planned to be released in 2020, the film was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anime Expo Lite 2021 hosted a preview of the movie on July 3, 2021. Netflix streamed the film on February 8, 2022 after acquiring its distribution license. Inspired by the Japanese mythology behind Izumo's Kamiari Festival, Kamiarizuki no Kodomo is an original story by Cretica Universal's founder Toshinari Shinohe, who aimed to express and convey Japan's rich culture to the world. A sticker rally was held in Shimane from October 8, 2021 to February 28, 2022, allowing visitors to see locations associated with the movie and obtain special stickers at three designated points. Kodansha issued three books based on the movie prior to its release on August 12, 2021, September 15, 2021, and September 30, 2021, respectively. The first was co-authored by the original creator himself; the second was a novelized version of the film; and the third was a picture book.
