A Letter to Momo (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

I was fortunate to have the chance to watch the English dub of this film at the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver. What a beautifully detailed and pleasant surprise it was. Not many animated films have been able to handle the topic of loss with such sincerity to the audience that may potentially connect with it. A Letter to Momo may feel too eager to charm (and pull off a fart joke - no, really), but that's because it knows its heart is always in the right place.Likewise, there's almost no shortage of reasons why parents should watch this with their entire family. A Letter to Momo puts great emphasis on the complicated feeling of regret, and the idea that no one has to ever deal with it alone. Yes, the creatures that completely change Momo's life do look a bit creepy at first for little kids, but Director/Writer Hiroyuki Okiura is able to give them a natural humanizing thread to each of them. It's quite a shame how long it took for this movie to reach North America, but that makes it all the more valuable. If you've taken a look at the trailers or short previews online, then it might come as no surprise when I recommend you get the Blu-Ray copy (with both English and Japanese dub) that truly shows off its wonderful artistry.The plot follows Momo and her mother, both dealing with her father's recent death and readjusting to a new lifestyle when they move to a quiet island. Iwa, Kawa, and Mame, the three odd-looking creatures ("goblins" as they call them in the movie) that suddenly break Momo's monotonous new life, are guardians of sorts who have descended onto Earth to look after her and her mother. You'll have to see the movie to get the more touching reasons on why they're here in the first place, but Momo has to deal with the fact that others cannot see the goblins. It also doesn't help that they're quite riotous and constantly hungry (their attempt at snatching baby boars for lunch hilariously backfires). Although it is reliant on the supernatural to carry much of its plot forward, A Letter to Momo is quick to clarify that grief has no easy process for coping with it. This is especially the case when an argument between Momo and her mother leads to a boiling point, stripped of any sugar coating or film cliches. At the same time, the writers give a rather sweet and understanding account of their lives to great effect. Much like the main character's development towards the end, the film never feels afraid to take the big dive into open water.A few details aren't explained as well as they should be, and that small feeling of concealment from the audience could very well be due to how inviting the whole movie is to its own intimate and honest world. One example is the fact that there is actually someone besides Momo who is able to see the goblins, and for some reason, that's either never fully explained, or we're supposed to assume that it's the same reason why Momo can see them. There's also a point in the movie where the goblins discuss their hesitation to break rules imposed from "above", even though it felt they broke quite a few with their own antics on the island already, so their whole discussion feels a bit redundant.Despite all that I've just nitpicked, it's still hard to pose negativity at such a humorous and moving animated film. With its utter charm and friendliness, it's not only willing to impose difficult questions but it's also willing to suggest realistic answers. I hope history will eventually place this among the list of animated classics. The film's resolute need for emotion is masterfully paired with its childlike curiosity, a rarity for any film - animated or live-action - to accomplish so effortlessly. Of course, this is all not without its superb hand-drawn presentation. A Letter to Momo is quite simply, in itself, a lovingly animated letter written for the eyes, the ears, and the heart.

This coming-of-age tale of discovering hope in the midst of loss is a familiar tear-jerker. As such, it is comfort food for the soul, well executed and emotionally satisfying. That said, the story is not what I'm recommending.The artwork perfectly captures the wistful tone of the story, mixing nostalgia with the joy of discovering new worlds and the creeping horror of being affected by tragedy. Not only are the characters charming and imaginative, the faithful recreation of rural Japan is completely immersive. This movie feels less like watching a story and more like taking a trip.The influences of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki are apparent, but this feels distinct from those catalogs. First, there is a rich detail in the drawings coupled with the soft focus and subtlety on associates with watercolors. I can't explain how they managed to push in both directions at the same time. Second, and more important, the story remains much more grounded in reality than familiar films of this genre. The least realistic element felt like the encounter with wild pigs, not the fact that the story revolves around the main character's relationship with a group of normally invisible goblin spirits. Aside from the pig encounter, I felt immersed in a distant world the entire time.

I watched this with the intention of adding it to my binge watching of what I described as "trashy animes." I was not prepared for this. A Letter to Momo is absolutely extraordinary, I'm gonna go there, I'm gonna use that word. It's bittersweet but beautifully upbeat and hopeful. It may be animated, it may involve the afterlife and mythical creatures, but it's incredibly real. Momo is a wonderful character, a shy teenage girl dealing with the loss of her father and moving from a major city to a small town in the wake of this event. The relationship between Momo and her mother is honest, showing quite nicely the hardships they both face in such a situation. It sets off a potentially very dark mood with cheerful side characters and gratuitous kindness. It doesn't belittle the feelings of children and teenagers, and it shows a lot of emotion as well as some pretty humorous conflicts that are resolved instead of just forgotten. It's interesting and sweet and I cried more than once, but I smiled more. I watched this, actually, as an attempt to distract myself from my own recent loss. I can't give it enough compliments; its hopeful approach to death finally put my mood on an upswing.Overall, A Letter to Momo is a gift to all ages. Beautiful animation, simple but delightful plot, and excellent characters with actual depth. Recommended to everyone.

I enjoy anime films and this one was no exception. The storyline for A Letter to Momo was well written and the characters are very realistic and relatable. One thing I loved about this film is that Momo is just an average preteen with the same angst and social issues we all deal with growing up. I also loved how the relationship with her mother was expressed. Even though they both are experiencing the same loss (Momo's father passed away after they had an argument) they feel it and live it differently. Momo's mother is also a very hardworking and attentive parent, which I find more realistic then the airhead type parents in anime. The youkai are hilarious and troublesome, and I love how Momo handles their interference in her life. I would say that this movie is appropriate for preteens and older kids, as some of the jokes may be lost on the youngster crowd. It is clean and without vulgarity and violence, and that makes it that more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this film to any anime fan and good story lover.

The video and audio quality for this blu ray is good. Just wanted to get this out of the way.The anime film itself imo is very underrated. It's got a different pace and tone from the usual action anime's and shows the peaceful, tranquil side of island life in Japan mixed in with some fun yokai action. The anime style is different from your usual anime illlustrations. The drawing style for this anime is like a cross between japanese anime and King of the Hill style drawing. It's not a bad thing and gives it a unique look. Overall I enjoyed this anime film as it's a bit different and offbeat. Definitely suggest watching it.

Heartfelt, funny and entertaining animated Japanese film. Some serious topics, but overall is family-friendly. DVD arrived in perfect condition.

Received the shipment on time and in good condition.The movie itself had beautiful artwork but the story itself dragged. Guess I'm spoiled by Miyuzaki films. But it's worth a watch if you like Japanese animation. The idea/story was good ( Japanese Gods/Dieties watching over the character) but there was no memorable buildup to a climax in the story line.

Was a very eye appealing movie. Great story,great characters.

One of my favourite movies. The animation is really well done and the story is really cool.