Caila Bigelman

Animation: 5/5 Voice acting: 4/5 Story: 5/5 Plot execution: 4/5 This is a movie that is made with a lot of love for the kami of Japanese mythology. These kami play a role in everyday culture and mixed religion that most Japanese people follow. It's not made in mind to educate about the kami, they're there to help Kanna on her journey. This is a story of mourning and of strength when all feels lost. Our main girl's just 11 years old when her mom passes away and 12 at the start of the story. Her struggle is shown in ways like when she can't bring herself to greet the altar (where her mother's photo is), or when she forces her smile around her friends and family. Then she's suddenly being told that her mother was an Idaten-shin, a running kami who ensured that the annual feast at Izumo could occur by gathering all the chiso, the feast offerings from all the kami of the different regions. Kanna also was passionate about running before her mother died. What then happens is a physical journey that at first, drives her to gain closure with her mother, but then later turns into a reflection of why she does what she does in the first place. It's a great film for kids (though maybe keep em 9 and up, there's heavy themes, scary kami, and a tiny bit of injury) to see how loss impacts something you love, and it's a good film for adults who feel like they've started spiraling. The cons of this movie are surprisingly pretty small. People might say it feels generic, and let's face it, loss is pretty universal. What this movie does provide is a different view, gorgeous animation, and characters that feel larger than life. Also, I myself can guess any plot of most American animated movies within the first five minutes (I literally skipped to Sing 2's final 15 minutes because I saw the entire plot laid out before my eyes. I'd rate it 3/5). Japanese animation can be refreshingly different, not to mention the culture change of writing characters and how the story progresses. There's a plothole at the very end that gets a little glossed over but it doesn't really impact the overall story at all, so it's not the biggest bump in the road. I also probably wouldn't watch this movie again, but if I was 10 I definitely would.