Drifting Home (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Hiroyasu Ishida
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Hiroyasu Ishida
- Mutsumi Tamura as Kosuke Kumagai
-
Nana Mizuki as Satoko Tonai - Asami Seto as Natsume Touchi
-
Bin Shimada as Yasuji Kumagaya
Also Starring in Drifting Home
· 5 more- Yumiko Kobayashi Taishi Koiwai
- Daiki Yamashita Yuzuru Tachibana
- Inori Minase Reina Hama
- Ayumu Murase Noppo
- Kana Hanazawa Shuri Ando
More from Hiroyasu Ishida
More films directed by Hiroyasu Ishida, best-rated first: Penguin Highway, Fastening Days 2, Fastening Days and Paulette’s Chair.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 80%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 5.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
178 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
Drifting Home Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
- Teaser Official Teaser #2 [Subtitled]
- Teaser Official Teaser #3 [Subtitled]
- Teaser Now Streaming [Subtitled]
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What are the names of the two main characters who grew up almost like siblings?
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Drifting Home
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Drifting Clouds, Children of the Sea and Float.
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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