Okko e Os Espíritos

Okko survives the car crash that kills her parents. She goes to live with her grandmother, who runs an old-line hot springs inn. The ghost of a young boy persuades Okko to become the "junior innkeeper". Between the flashbacks, the ghosts only she sees, and the mean girl in school, can she find peace?

This animated film by Kitarô Kôsaka is not just Japanese; it is VERY Japanese, with is old-fashioned virtues of service to others, tradition, and to a westerner, exaggerated fear of losing face. Like all good fantasies, it has a strong symbolic message to support the surface plot. Then visual style combines full animation of simple yet effective character design with lush, almost candybox background work.

I really love to watch anime movies like this, it moves your heart and soul, so much that it leaves you happy and relieved or relaxed at the end.

A beautiful film, ideal to teach a child what death is.

Ok, I don't really make reviews on movies I love, but I'm making an exception for this one. The story of Okko's Inn will glue you to your screen. The plot of this movie has this sense of calm and excitement. I was amazed on how the twist of the story entered the scene, that I literally clapped my hands momentarily.

I normally know where the story of films I watch take me, but for Okko's Inn I was caught by surprise. I love how the plot took my enthusiasm to watch it higher and higher, then all of a sudden, the great Twist comes in. It's like fireworks everywhere.

I love this film that it tops my list, above Spirited Away.

Lastly, if you have shallow tears, a hankie or a tissue will come in handy.

This film was a solid insight into Japanese values and culture. Tradition, death, work ethic, youth, aging, family, spirits, health, food, healing and respect, all set in a beautiful hot spring onsen (bath) village sea side community. There's a lot to like about this film, and even more so if you're ready to look at culture's outside of hollywood western brat formats. A fun watch if a little bit by the numbers for Japanese values.