Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho (Beyond the Clouds, The Promised Place) is the first full length movie made by Shinkai Makoto, whose recognition comes from his famous work, Hoshi no Koe, his independent anime debut. Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho tells a story of three young friends named Hiroki, Sayuri, and Takuya, and their dream to journey to the large tower built on Hokkaido. However, one day Sayuri suddenly disappears and their plans to venture to the tower are shattered. Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho is a reflective tale spanning over 4 years time expressing the innocence and beauty of youth to how just one event can adversly affect the future of a group of friends.