Giovanni’s Island

Junpei and Kanta live with their grandfather and father on the island, which is later affected by the events of World War II. Their grandfather is a fisherman, and their father is the head of the village firefighting force. The family enjoys life on the island while the political situation begins to change around them.

Following Japan's defeat in World War II, the Soviet Red Army invades the island, prompting the family to move to the stables while the Russian commander's family moves into their main house. The family adapts to the occupation amid tense circumstances, and the children start mingling with Russian children at school.

Junpei bumps into Tanya during a playground jostle, leading to a friendship between the Japanese brothers and the Russian girl. They are later invited to Tanya’s house for dinner, symbolizing a fragile bridge between the two conflicting communities.

Hideo asks Junpei to light signal fires at night so he can secretly go to the main island for rations. Meanwhile, Tatsuo and Sawako secretly supply the village with food stored in the Dawn Corps’ reserves, risking detection by the occupying forces.

Hideo’s attempt to smuggle the food to the outside world fails when he is caught, leading to Tatsuo’s arrest as he tries to protect the village’s supply of emergency rations. This highlights the dangers faced by the family in defying the occupation authorities.

On September 25, 1947, the Japanese residents are ordered to assemble at the harbor for evacuation back to the mainland. Junpei, Kanta, and Sawako board a ship with other Japanese residents, leaving behind their grandfather, who stays behind on the island.

The family arrives at an internment camp in Maoka, western Karafuto, where they await transportation back to Japan. Hideo learns Tatsuo is alive and held at another camp nearby, prompting a desperate attempt to reunite with him.

Kanta falls gravely ill during their attempt to reach Tatsuo, leading to their capture by guards. Tatsuo promises to find a way to reunite with his family, but Kanta's health deteriorates rapidly, resulting in his death en route to the harbor.

Junpei and Sawako reunite with Hideo at the harbor, where Junpei uses storytelling to conceal Kanta’s death from the guards. Junpei then has a vision of Kanta's spirit riding the 'Night on the Galactic Railroad' into the stars, symbolizing his peaceful passing.

56 years later, Sawako and Junpei visit the graves of Tatsuo and Kanta on Shikotan. They attend a graduation ceremony for those who never graduated school, reconnecting with their past amid a scene of reconciliation and remembrance.

A granddaughter of Tanya approaches Junpei, presenting him with his sketch of Tanya and receiving his copy of 'Night on the Galactic Railroad.' He learns that Tanya has passed away, marking a poignant connection across generations.

Russian and Japanese hosts gather in a celebration as music plays, and residents dance together. Tanya’s granddaughter invites Junpei to dance, culminating in a scene where the spirits of the island's original residents dance among the stars, symbolizing peace and unity.