Cast: Masatoshi Nakamura, Kanata Hongô, Mikako Tabe, Mieko Harada, Riho Makise, Maki Horikita, Ryoko Kobayashi, Yuta Murakami, Ryo Kato
In Theaters: 9 July 2005 Japan
Eisei Gekijo,
H-Partners,
Hinokio Film Venturer,
I&S BBDO,
Image,
Kansai Telecasting Corporation,
Overload Pictures,
Shochiku Kinema Kenkyû-jo,
Takara,
Tokyo Electric Rower Company
A recent accident has left Satoru Iwamoto, an elementary school student, temporarily wheelchair-ridden. In addition, the recent loss of his mother has thrown Satoru into a reclusive state, locking himself from the outside world. However, in an effort to help Satoru recover from his injuries, his father, Kaoru, has designed a remote-controlled robot that will go to school in his place and allow him to interact with people and do normal things.
The robot, "piloted" by Satoru from a large control terminal in his room, is nicknamed 'Hinokio' by his classmates. Hinokio is mostly admired by his fellow students, and they together start a generally normal year of school. But the story soon dwells more on Satoru, himself, as he rediscovers love and friendship through classmate Jun Kudo and also his own father.
