A Letter to Momo

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Taylor L It's tough not to see A Letter to Momo, or any Japanese animated film with a focus on adolescence, melancholy, and a fantastical element, without looking at it through the lens of Ghibli. This film from writer-director Hiroyuki Okiura wears its influences on its sleeve, not only in the large debt it owes to Hayao Miyazaki but also Satoshi Kon, with its flashes of bombastic animation and very busy climax. The film might not have reached the acclaim of the work of those two masters of animation, but it works as its own standalone project and has its own charm, balancing a bit of levity and buffoonery with Momo's own self-isolation and frustration at losing a parent. There's plenty of time dedicated to Momo's unhappy life and the slow unwinding of her past experiences gives ample opportunity for empathy, and the script knows right when to punch a hole in the tension with some light humor - the writer's way of reassuring his audience of the inevitability of a happier tomorrow if you're willing to appreciate those around you. Solid character design, the only limitations are going to be nitpicks like some looped animation and a bit of a protracted runtime, but otherwise this is a solid work that operates in a grand tradition of exploring mature themes with young characters in Japanese animation. There's also a slightly demonic spirit that farts in the face of a boar to steal its kids, with every intention of eating them. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

A Letter to Momo

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