Movie Review: Okko's Inn (2018)

Hello, all!

I'm sorry that my posting this month has been so crazy. As you all know, it's a crazy world right now and I hope that all of you are staying safe and healthy.

My goal for 2020 was to review a wider variety of movies. I started the year off with a French film, La Belle et la Bête [Beauty and the Beast] (1946), and in March I talked about a few Irish movies. Since then I haven't done anything new! I've decided that it's time in 2020 to start with Japanese films! I reviewed Howl's Moving Castle (2004) back in 2017, but haven't done any since then.

My sisters and I watched this at the end of 2019 and really enjoyed ourselves. Now, I hope that you like this review!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


Okko's Inn (2018): 

[Original title: 若おかみは小学生！{Pronounced: Waka Okami wa Shōgakusei! Translation: "The Young Innkeeper Is a Grade Schooler!"}]
Based on: A series of novels by Hiroko Reijo.
After a tragedy a little girl goes to stay with her grandmother, who hopes that she will become the next Inn Keeper. She just wants to help and do the right thing, but she starts seeing...ghosts and spirits? She is trying to figure out fitting school, making friends, while learning to step into bigger shoes in her busy life. She misses her old life and she wonders, what does the future hold?
"The waters of Hananoyu reject nobody."
Genre: Family, Fantasy.
Length: approx. 94 minutes.
Costumes: 7, there were a few times when characters were in their under clothes or not wearing a lot, but the kimonos and other outfits were very detailed for animation!
Script: 10, no bad words.
Crew:
Directed by: Kitaro Kosaka,
Written by: Reiko Yoshida and Hiroko Reijo.
Starring the voices of:
Seiran Kobayashi (Japanese); Madigan Kacmar (English) as Oriko "Okko" Seki.
Satsumi Matsuda (Japanese); KJ Aikens (English) as Makoto Tachiuri "Uri-bō".
Nana Mizuki (Japanese); Carly Williams (English) as Matsuki Akino.
Ichiryūsai Harumi (Japanese); Glynis Ellis (English) as Mineko Seki "Obā-chan".
Ichiryūsai Teiyū (Japanese); Noelle DePaula (English) as Etsuko Tajima.
Masaki Terasoma (Japanese); Scott Williams (English) as Kōnosuke Minoda "Kō-san".
Etsuko Kozakura (Japanese); Colleen O'Shaughnessey (English) as Suzuki.
Nicolai Gorden(English) as Kosui Kanda.
Animation: 7, the animation is just what you'd expect out of a Japanese film, it's bright, colorful, and perfectly fun! I really liked it. My rating is a lower because the transitions were really rough, my sisters and I were getting "whiplash"!
Music: I know that there was music, but I can't think of what it was like at all, so I won't rate it.
Notes:
Quotes: 8, oh, there were so many inspirational quotes! Sadly, I was so busy watching that I forgot to write any down.
Content: 7, there are some scary and creepy things, death, smoking, and gross things.
Originality: 10, this was so adorable! I know that I've read or watched a few other stories with young children learning bigger roles, but I haven't seen one in this setting.
Good For: families, anyone who has lost someone.
Age Range: There are some scary things, but I think that most kids would be fine, then anyone who wanted to watch this could!
Overall Score: 8!
Bonus thoughts:
My sisters and I love to watch Japanese animated films. One of the librarians here got us started on them and when he got this one we wanted to watch it right away. My younger sister was super excited, but I wasn't sure. I mean, there's a boy floating upside down on the cover and the premise involves spirits? I'm fine with a movie with ghosts now and then, but I don't usually seek them out. We got started and there were a few gross things that I wasn't sure I would like it. Well, I was wrong. This movie is such a sweet one! It deals with grief, forgiveness, and growing and taking on responsibilities. They did everything really well, I was so impressed. If you are a fan of Japanese films, or want to give this one a try, I'd recommend putting it on your list!


Thanks for reading! How many Japanese films have you seen? Do you have a favorite?

MovieCritic