Release and reception in France
Three years after The Boy and the Beast, Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda returned with Mirai, My Little Sister, an animated film for children and adults, nominated for Oscars and Golden Globes. Although it attracted fewer than 215,000 viewers in France, on AlloCiné, the press gave it an excellent average rating of 4 out of 5. Fortunately, Mirai, My Little Sister is now experiencing a second life on the Disney+ platform.Plot and themes
This animated film tells the story of Kun, a four-year-old child whose daily life is turned upside down by the birth of his younger sister, Mirai. Previously used to being the center of attention of his parents, the little boy quickly feels jealousy towards her. But one day, he discovers, in his family garden, a fantastic universe that allows him to travel through time. A tender, poetic and fantastic story that evokes the universe of Hayao Miyazaki. As in the work of the Japanese director, the imagination of children becomes here a real key to overcoming the difficulties of the real world and better understanding what surrounds them.Hosoda's early career
In 2004, it was considered that Mamoru Hosoda would direct The Castle in the Sky for the Ghibli Studio, as he mentioned in an interview: "When I went to the Ghibli Studio, I thought I had free rein to make my own film. But the studio wanted it to be in the style of Hayao Miyazaki." As a result, Hosoda said no, and this gem of animation was made by Miyazaki himself.Appeal and features
What they will like: An adventure to share with your children: the theme of family and parenthood are the red thread of the narrative. The beauty of traditional animation: the characters and some backgrounds are hand-drawn, like most of the classics of Japanese animation, especially those signed by Isao Takahata. A story that mixes humor and imagination: every time Kun sulks in the garden, he ends up being drawn into fantastic dreams where he meets people often amusing.Potential concerns
What may concern them: The child's jealousy: with the arrival of his younger sister, Kun has outbursts because he does not want to share his parents. His cries and outbursts of anger can worry the youngest viewers. Some scenes of disputes between brother and sister: feeling abandoned by his parents, Kun sometimes takes it out on Mirai by pulling her ears or cheeks, but never anything violent. Sometimes a dark atmosphere: for example, in a scene, the little boy finds himself in a dark and not very warm train.Availability
Mirai, My Little Sister is available on the streaming platform Disney+.
