Makoto Shinkai’s anime film The Garden of Words is finally getting a live-action stage adaptation. However, it ain’t happening in Japan first, but in London. The British theatrical company Whole Hog Theatre announced has announced their latest play, and it is indeed a production of The Garden of Words.

The stage play will first run at the Park Theatre in London’s Finsbury Park from 15th July-15th August 2020. They will also be running previews from 15th-16th July as well.

However, the play itself will also be hitting Japan. In fact, they’re planning a Tokyo run, with Nelke Planning co-producing the Japanese performances.

Whole Hog Theatre says that the play will be “Performed in English with occasional Japanese”.  Here’s how they describe the story:

Rainy season. Tokyo. Akizuki is skipping class; Yukino should be at work.

When a student and an older woman seeking solace in a Japanese garden meet by chance, their mutual feelings of alienation draw them together. But a truth is about to be uncovered. The friendship that could save them might also ruin them…

Based on the stereotype-defying Anime by world-renowned director Makoto Shinkai (your name.), The Garden of Words is a modern Tokyo tale inspired by ancient Man’yōshū poetry. This subtle drama explores invisible disability, loss of human connection in a digital world and challenges us to consider the moral line between platonic and romantic longing.

Sources: Whole Hog Theatre, Park Theatre