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Animated drama

Drifting Home (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Drifting Home (2022) movie poster

Drifting Home is a 2022 animated drama directed by Hiroyasu Ishida, starring Mutsumi Tamura as Kosuke Kumagai, Nana Mizuki and Asami Seto. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
Echo Score
84
Metascore
59
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Drifting Home (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Hiroyasu Ishida
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Drifting Home About?

The premise of Drifting Home without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a summer break, a group of childhood friends find themselves transported to a strange, watery world where their apartment building floats adrift on a vast ocean. Facing the impending demolition of their home and struggling with the prospect of separation, Kosuke and his friends must work together to navigate this mysterious environment. They confront heartfelt goodbyes and grapple with uncertain futures as they search for a way to return before time runs out.

Drifting Home Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • child
  • toy
  • grandfather
  • anime
  • friend
  • childhood
  • journey
  • exploration
  • summer
  • anime animation
  • epic fantasy
  • thunder
+38 more
  • sea
  • summer vacation
  • complex
  • school
  • apartment
  • fishing
  • group
  • phenomenon
  • isekai
  • memory
  • long haired child
  • apartment building
  • long haired female
  • apartment complex
  • stuffed toy
  • long haired girl
  • building
  • underwater scene
  • boy
  • floating building
  • amusement park ride
  • girl
  • ferris wheel
  • rooftop
  • bespectacled child
  • camera
  • bandaged head
  • bespectacled girl
  • colour photograph
  • makeshift raft
  • bespectacled female
  • photograph
  • vending machine
  • night
  • raft
  • storm
  • nighttime
  • abandoned building
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Cast & crew

Drifting Home Cast & Characters

Mutsumi Tamura leads the cast as Kosuke Kumagai, with Nana Mizuki as Satoko Tonai and Asami Seto as Natsume Touchi. Directed by Hiroyasu Ishida; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Drifting Home

· 5 more
From the director

More from Hiroyasu Ishida

More films directed by Hiroyasu Ishida, best-rated first: Penguin Highway, Fastening Days 2, Fastening Days and Paulette’s Chair.

Full filmography
Ratings

Drifting Home Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Drifting Home 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (68).

84 /100

Drifting Home Echo Score Breakdown

Drifting Home blends striking visual design with an earnest exploration of childhood emotions, creating a memorable atmospheric experience. The animation and color work are frequently praised for their imagination, while the narrative pacing and plot cohesion receive more mixed reactions, with some reviewers noting predictable beats and unfinished threads. Overall, the film’s strong artistic flair and emotional resonance outweigh its structural weaknesses, offering a compelling, if imperfect, viewing that rewards repeat watches.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    The film’s animation showcases an inventive palette and fluid motion that many reviewers describe as beautiful and dreamlike. Direction and production design emphasize both serene backdrops and energetic sequences, reinforcing the story’s tone. A few critics note occasional overly drawn-out sweeping shots, but the overall craftsmanship remains high, delivering a visually compelling experience.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Child actors convey nuanced emotions, allowing audiences to connect with the protagonists' fears and hopes. Reviewers commend the depth of the cast and the authenticity of their interactions, though some mention moments of melodramatic excess. Despite these occasional lapses, the characters are generally regarded as well‑written and emotionally resonant.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The premise of drifting through an abandoned building offers originality, yet pacing inconsistencies and predictable plot turns weaken narrative momentum. Critics highlight a lack of clear stakes and unresolved mysteries, while some viewers appreciate the surreal, trippy atmosphere. Consequently, story cohesion is seen as uneven, balancing imaginative ideas with structural flaws.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Soundtrack and sound design complement the film’s dreamlike visuals, enhancing moments of tension and wonder. Reviewers praise the cohesive aesthetic, noting the seamless blend of animation, color, and audio cues. Minor criticisms address occasional background details, but the sensory palette overall reinforces the movie’s atmospheric intent.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    Emotional resonance and striking visuals encourage repeated viewings, with many audience members reporting lasting appeal after initial watches. The film’s gentle pacing and evocative scenes invite reflection, though unresolved plot elements may limit rewatch enthusiasm for some. Overall, its charm and artistic merit support strong replay value.

Plot

Drifting Home Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Drifting Home from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kosuke Kumagai, Mutsumi Tamura, and Natsume Tonai, Asami Seto, are eleven-year-olds who have grown up almost like siblings. Their bond begins to feel strained after the death of Kosuke’s grandfather, Yasuji Kumagaya, Bin Shimada.

During the summer break, Kosuke and their classmates Taishi, Yumiko Kobayashi (Taishi Koiwai), Yuzuru Tachibana, Daiki Yamashita, and Reina Hama, Inori Minase, sneak into Kamonomiya, the so-called “ghost housing complex” slated for demolition. The place teems with memories from their childhood and the time spent with Kosuke’s grandfather, and the arrival of Natsume reveals the existence of a mysterious boy named Noppo, Ayumu Murase. A tense mood settles as the kids bicker and a summer rain sweeps over them.

Full summary

The whole story of Drifting Home, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Drifting Home Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Teaser Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Official Teaser #2 [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Official Teaser #3 [Subtitled]
  • Teaser Now Streaming [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Drifting Home?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What are the names of the two main characters who grew up almost like siblings?

Details

Drifting Home Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Ame wo Tsugeru Hyōryū Danchi” and “Ame wo Tsugeru Hyouryuu Danchi”.

Also known as
  • Ame wo Tsugeru Hyōryū Danchi
  • Ame wo Tsugeru Hyouryuu Danchi
  • Dom na falach
  • Hogar a la deriva
  • Les Murs vagabonds
  • ديار في قلب المحيط
  • 漂流之家
  • 표류단지
  • Tòa Nhà Trôi Dạt
  • בית בלב האוקיינוס
  • Căminul Plutitor
  • 宣告风雨的漂流团地
+12 more
  • Дрейфуючий Дім
  • 漂流家园
  • Dům na vlnách
  • Дім на хвилях
  • บ้านล่องลอย
  • La casa tra le onde
  • Плавучий дом
  • A ház lelke
  • 漂流家園
  • Περιπλανώμενο Κτίριο
  • Dom na vlnách
  • Лебдећи кући

Seen Drifting Home?

FAQ

Drifting Home FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Drifting Home, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Drifting Home?

Drifting Home runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Drifting Home released?

Drifting Home was released on September 16, 2022.

Who directed Drifting Home?

Drifting Home was directed by Hiroyasu Ishida.

More films by Hiroyasu Ishida

Who is in the cast of Drifting Home?

Drifting Home stars Mutsumi Tamura as Kosuke Kumagai, Nana Mizuki as Satoko Tonai and Asami Seto as Natsume Touchi, among 9 credited actors.

How is Drifting Home rated?

Drifting Home has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Does Drifting Home have a post-credit scene?

No. Drifting Home has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Drifting Home in?

The original language of Drifting Home is Japanese.

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