Heart-warming animation film by Kosaka

The growth of computer graphics technology in films is remarkable. It is often difficult to tell if scenes are real or made of computer graphics these days. An animation film that brings back warm memories was released today. It is Okko’s Inn directed by Kitaro Kosaka.

The film depicts a story of Okko, a 12-year-old boy who lost his parents from a car accident. Okko starts a new life at his grandmother’s inn “House of Spring.” The city-bred boy is frightened to see larvae and lizards. The film delivers a haunted atmosphere of an old house. Okko meets ghosts in the house.

Okko goes to school and helps his grandmother with housekeeping. It is memorable to see Okko trying to be nice to everyone following his grandmother’s saying that hot spring water treats everyone equally. The ghosts that he meets in the house becomes his assistants. The film teaches young audience love towards tradition.

The film won the Special Distinction Prize and the Audience Prize at the 20th Bucheon International Animation Festival held last year. “It is brilliant," said director Makoto Shinkai of Your Name. "I cried several times watching it.” Director Kosaka highlighted “growth” through “solicitude” at a press conference. “Hot springs are disappearing these days, but they are a place where we can learn wisdom and culture of our ancestors,” said Kosaka. “Okko doesn’t overcome the wounds by himself but heals himself through relationships with other people.”


Min Kim kimmin@donga.com