The animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, released in 2006 and still cherished by fans worldwide, will be novelized for the first time by director Mamoru Hosoda himself. The book is scheduled for release by KADOKAWA Corporation on August 29, 2025. To celebrate the publication, pre-orders for high-quality replica art prints of iconic scenes from the movie have also begun.
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A Story Spun by the Director Himself: The Novel ‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’
Nineteen years after the film’s original release, director Mamoru Hosoda has personally taken up the pen to write a novel based on his animated feature, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. The vibrant, bittersweet story of Makoto, a high school girl who gains the mysterious ability to “time-leap,” and her journey through youth and a poignant destiny, will be reborn in a new literary form.
The book is planned to include an 8-page full-color insert at the beginning, featuring background art and scenes from the film. The cover will feature foil stamping and special printing, making it a must-have collector’s edition for fans.
Book Information
- Title: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time: A Novel based on the Animated Film
- Author: Mamoru Hosoda
- Release Date: Friday, August 29, 2025 (e-book to be released simultaneously)
- Price: ¥3,080 (¥2,800 + tax)
- Format: Hardcover, 264 pages
- ISBN: 978-4-04-116605-5
- Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation
- Official Product Page: https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322505000585/
Limited Quantity: Kadokawa Store Exclusive Postcard Bonus
Customers who purchase the book from the Kadokawa Store will receive a limited-edition exclusive postcard featuring a famous scene from the story.
- Book Pre-order URL: https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/g/g322505000585/
Relive the Emotion: Pre-orders Open for Replica Art Prints of Famous Movie Scenes
To commemorate the novel’s release, pre-orders have been announced for two types of replica art prints capturing heart-stirring scenes from the film. These will be made-to-order and sold exclusively at the Kadokawa Store.
The two designs feature the pivotal scene of Makoto and Chiaki and the memorable shot of Makoto, Chiaki, and Kousuke from the climactic flashback sequence.
The prints utilize “Primoart®,” a high-definition printing technology developed by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. This technique uses a 10-color ink system to achieve a wide color gamut and delicate tonal gradations, faithfully recreating the beautiful world of the film.
Product Information
- Product Name: “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” Replica Art Prints (Framed), 2 types (
- Price: ¥17,600 each (¥16,000 + tax)
- Pre-order Period: Sunday, July 13, 2025 – Monday, September 15, 2025
- Estimated Shipping: Begins mid-November 2025
- Note: The initial November shipment is limited. Pre-orders may close early if the planned quantity is reached.
- Replica Art Print Pre-order URL: https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/e/eti0662/
Director Mamoru Hosoda: Profile and Latest Work
Mamoru Hosoda is an animated film director born in Toyama Prefecture in 1967. After working at Toei Animation, he went freelance and gained international acclaim for directing The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) and Summer Wars (2009). In 2011, he co-founded the animation production company Studio Chizu, where he has continued to create numerous blockbuster hits, including Wolf Children (2012), The Boy and the Beast (2015), Mirai (2018), and Belle (2021).
Furthermore, Director Hosoda’s latest film, Scarlet (果てしなきスカーレット), is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in Japan on November 21, 2025. This is another highly anticipated work to keep an eye on.