Prior to its release, the anime film was selected as a special invitation film for the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival. It was also nominated for the 44th Japan Academy Prize in the Animation for Excellence award.
Based on short romantic novel "Joze to Tora to Sakana-tachi" by Seiko Tanabe (published June, 1984 in magazine Gekkan Kadokawa).
Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi was adapted from a 1984 short story collection of the same name. It was set to have its theatrical release in Japan in Summer 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie was postponed until December 25, 2020.