Sakana no ko

This was my first film of the year 2024. The story of Mi-bo, who constantly thinks about fish day and night, is heartwarming as she continues to express his love for what she enjoys, supported by those around her. The charming way Mi-bo captivates those around him makes it a delightful and wonderful piece.

Introduction Work from director Shuichi Okita, known for warmly portraying beloved protagonists in works like "Antarctic Chef" and "Yokomichi Yonosuke." This film is based on Sakana-kun's first autobiographical essay, featuring the energetic actress Non in the lead role. Non portrays the protagonist Mi-bo, who, with a mysterious charm that brings happiness to those around her, passionately pursues her interests regardless of gender boundaries. The cast includes Haruka Igawa as Mi-bo's supportive mother, Yuya Yagira as childhood friend Hiyo, and talented actors such as Yuuto Isomura and Amane Okayama in delinquent roles. Notably, the original author, Sakana-kun, makes his debut appearance in the film, adding an exciting element to the production!

I do enjoy a bit of Shuichi Okita, ever since I first saw "The Story of Yonosuke" (2013), through to his recent "Hey! Our Dear Don-chan" (2022). In fact, the last couple of years have been somewhat prolific for Okita, and so I was sure I would enjoy the very Okita-like "The Fish Tale."

Based on real-life, fish-loving TV personality "Sakana-kun," this is the tale of young Meebo (Non) who grows to a similar fate. As a young girl, Meebo is obsessed with fish in all their shapes and sizes. She is single-minded in her dedication, but this starts to impact on her relationships with others, and indeed her life skills. On reaching adulthood, she moves to Tokyo with fish in her heart, but barely a thought in her mind.

She fails at a series of fish-associated jobs, but finds luck in meeting various estranged friends in the city who all offer her a nudge in the right direction: notably Momoko (Kaho), who gets her work curating luxury fish tanks; and more successfully Hiyo (Yuya Yagira), who now works as a TV director.

Okita's characters are always fish out of water, and Meebo is certainly that. Non enthusiastically plays the role of the enthusiast from her teens onwards, with an ever- growing smile, even when getting most personal with fish. Very much like Kengo Kora in "Yonosuke," she has an infectiousness that sees people drawn in and an earnestness that means people can't be mad at her.

But despite the happy-go-lucky spirit, the big city dents some dreams. The coming-of-age realisation is that simply loving something isn't enough. Having never applied herself to anything else or shown any discipline, she is simply not cut out to work a job she would enjoy. Meebo can only be herself, and luckily for her, a friend can make use of that.

Okita always has a warm heart and wants earnestness to succeed. Meebo, therefore, does, but only through a series of exceptional coincidences with people from her past bumping into her present. In many ways this is similar to "Yonosuke" as, episodically, each character recalls how Meebo touched their lives now they have matured and able to appreciate her naivety.

The coincidences, however, don't always make for great storytelling, as Meebo repeatedly fails, yet seems to fall upwards. The hardship and struggl doesn't quite feel real enough. The high school, yanki delinquent scenes in the middle are a little too goofy, and a little out of sorts from where the beginning and end have these characters develop.

Meebo herself, despite full of charms, is perhaps a little too quirky at times to be fully believable. Okita's characters are often humble and with faults, but likeable. Here, they are much more suited to manga or anime, somewhat larger than life. Where his other works and characters are at times awkward, "The Fish Tale" and Meebo are at times annoying, and so not as strong and well developed.

Okita's signature long runtime, however, is not unwelcome. As ever episodic, breaking things down into chunks makes this easily digestible; and weaker moments will soon be replaced by better ones. Okita wants to focus on the positive side of life, and so "The Fish Tale" leaves you with that feel good vibe he wants you to take away. In many ways, the film leaves you like an encounter with Meebo: confused, but smiling.

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First of all, a big thanks to the creators of this film.

At the start, we are shown the disclaimer that whether Meebo (the main character) is a boy or a girl doesn't matter.

And this sets apart the film into two perspectives: one where you will enjoy considering Meebo as a girl and the other where Meebo is a boy.

But the brightest part is the message.

"No matter what you do with your life, if you have a slight interest and do what you love, you will become better at it day by day."

Now that every cinema has its own representation for movies, Japanese cinema also has its own strong representations, emotions, and too-real-to-be true feelings. "The Fish Tale" exactly follows this pattern.

If you are a fan of "Non," just like me, then it's a plus reason for you to watch this movie; otherwise, if you want to see something inspirational or motivational, then do check out this movie.

2024film-001(1/6/2024) This was my first movie of the year 2024. It's a heartwarming tale of Mi-bo, who constantly thinks about fish day and night, expressing his love for what he enjoys with the support of those around her. The story beautifully portrays how Mi-bo, through her passion, captivates those around him. Though Sakana-kun is now widely known in Japan, his life has been more adventurous than one might imagine. Experiencing various events, meeting different people, and creating miracles through his amiable personality have brought him to where he is today. It makes you appreciate the importance of cherishing the small moments in everyday life.

How to live a happy life? This is an ultimate question that's so huge for almost everyone, while it's so effortless for Meebo. The girl has been obsessed with fish since she was a little kid. She's been so focused on the only thing that matters, fish stuff, that she gets short-sighted on everything else in life. Something that would trouble a normal person is way insignificant for Meebo, as long as it's not fish-related. This story is about a girl who appears to be silly, but in fact possess all the wisdom, and makes life her own party.