20 Years Later, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Finally Updates Fans on Its Main Romance - MCE Notices | California State Portal

In Mamoru Hosoda’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), the main heroine famously turns down her best friend, Chiaki, when he asks her out on a date. However, newly created artwork from the film’s official staff finally reveals what that ill-fated night would actually have looked like.

Per the PR Times, Japan’s popular media review site, “Filmarks”, is organizing a “revival screening project” to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hosoda’s coming-of-age sci-fi classic. Starting July 3, 2026, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time will return to over 166 venues throughout Japan. Additionally, a stunning 4K remaster is scheduled to debut in Japanese theaters on Aug. 21. As a special bonus, Filmarks is also distributing exclusive “special edition” movie tickets featuring gorgeous artwork by Hiroyuki Aoyama, who served as the film’s Animation Director. Readers can check it out below.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Finally Drops Long-Awaited Romantic Update

Image credit to Hiroyuki Aoyama

Aoyama’s date-themed “What if?” illustration depicts Chiaki and Makoto in yukatas at a summer festival together. Makoto, garbed in pink and white, is shown admiring a yellow sparkler while Chiaki looks on with a smile. An “atmospheric twilight” complements the romantic tone of the drawing. According to Filmarks, the advance movie tickets featuring these illustrations will be available in “limited quantities” starting Friday, June 19 (JST).

Hosoda’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is based on the titular novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui. The narrative revolves around 17-year-old Makoto Konno, who lives in a universe where girls occasionally develop time-traveling abilities during adolescence. Motivated by petty self-interest, Makoto initially uses her power to deal with minor inconveniences such as being late to school, reliving favorite meals and retaking tests. However, Makoto eventually realizes that her constant “redos” also create problems for those around her.

Makoto’s revelation about her power emerges soon after Chiaki confesses his feelings to her and asks her to go out with him. Initially alarmed by the prospect of their relationship evolving, Makoto attempts to conjure a scenario in which the question is never asked. Later on, she deeply regrets this course of action, realizing that it was cruel to manipulate the situation for her own personal comfort. Ultimately, Chiaki is revealed to be a time traveler himself, and Makoto, realizing her own love for him, promises to be by his side in the future.

In addition to the theatrical revival of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, there will also be a special fan event in Kyobashi, Tokyo, to commemorate the film’s new 4K run. Notably, this meeting will be held at a café adjacent to Creative Museum Tokyo, which is also hosting the upcoming art exhibition “The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda.” From June 20 to Aug. 31, the museum will display over 300 unique production materials from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars (2009), Wolf Children (2012) and other works from Hosoda’s critically-acclaimed anime lineup.

The 4K remaster of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time will be screened in Japan for a limited two-week period starting Aug. 21, 2026. For viewers in the U.S. the film is currently streaming on HBO Max alongside Summer Wars, The Boy and the Beast (2015) and Wolf Children.