The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo) was a Japanese drama that aired on NTV from 9 Jul 2016 – 6 Aug 2016. The series stars Yuin Kuroshima (Full Metal Alchemist), and Fuma Kikuchi (timelesz), and Ryoma Takeuchi (Black Pean).

Mihane Yoshiyama (Kuroshima) is a third-year high school student and a member of the school’s photography club. Just before her summer vacation begins, she notices the scent of lavender in the science lab, and unexpectedly gains the ability to leap through time. Shohei Fukamachi (Kikuchi), her classmate, is actually from the year 2122 and works as a researcher. Shohei has lost a special drug that would allow him to return to his time. In the meantime, he uses hypnosis to influence those around him and leads a life as a regular high school student. As time passes, Mihane and Shohei’s relationship deepens, and they begin to develop feelings for one another.

Written by Yasutaka Tsutsui, the novel was first published in 1967, and began as a serialized story published in seven installments through two of Gakken’s secondary school student-aimed magazines. The story not online inspired this television series but also has several other adaptations including, two live-action films, another television drama, and an incredibly popular anime film by Mamoru Hosoda.

The anime is how I first discovered the story.

The five episode series, directed by Hitoshi Iwamoto starts off comedic and fun with Kikuchi’s Shohei very impish, but likable – similar to My Love From Another Star feel to it – only much more enjoyable than the 2022 production. Despite being aired on a major network, there’s a very indie quality to the production, but that only adds to the charm.

The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray and can currently be purchased through Amazon Japan.

There will be more series reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!