Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window (film) explained

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Native Name:
Child:yes
Hide:no
Header:none
Kanji:窓ぎわのトットちゃん
Revhep:Madogiwa no Totto-chan
Director:Shinnosuke Yakuwa
Cinematography:Kentaro Minegishi
Editing:Toshihiko Kojima
Music:Yuji Nomi
Studio:Shin-Ei Animation
Distributor:Toho Co., Ltd.
Runtime:114 minutes[1]
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

is a 2023 Japanese animated biographical film written and directed by Shinnouske Yakuwa with Yōsuke Suzuki as a co-writer; the film is based on an autobiographical novel of the same title by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. Produced by Shin-Ei Animation and distributed by Toho, it tells Kuroyanagi's story as a child (nicknamed Totto) of going to Tomoe Gakuen, and learning new things as Japan descends into war. The film stars Liliana Ohno as the voice of Totto, alongside Koji Yakusho, Shun Oguri, Anne Watanabe, and Karen Takizawa. It was released in Japan on December 8, 2023.

Synopsis

Totto-chan attends Tomoe Gakuen at a young age, and learns new things as Japan descends into war.

Voice cast

CharacterJapanese voice cast
Totto-chanLiliana Ohno
Sōsaku KobayashiKoji Yakusho
Moritsuna KuroyanagiShun Oguri
Cho KuroyanagiAnne Watanabe
Miss OishiKaren Takizawa

Production

In March 2023, it was announced that an anime film adaptation of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's autobiographical novel was in development, with Shinnouske Yakuwa writing and directing the film at Shin-Ei Animation, Yōsuke Suzuki co-writing the screenplay with Yakuwa, and Shizue Kaneko designing the characters.[2] In July of that year, it was announced that Liliana Ohno was to voice Totto-chan.[3] [4] In September of that year, it was announced that Koji Yakusho, Shun Oguri, Anne Watanabe, and Karen Takizawa were cast for the film.[5] The theme song for the film is by Aimyon.[6] [7]

Release

The film was released in theaters in Japan on December 8, 2023.[3]

Reception

Box office

The film debuted at number 6 out of top 10 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend,[8] and later dropped to number 8 in its second week.[9]

Critical reception

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film "A" rating, and stated "It's got fantastic characters, a powerful message about childhood education, and a unique exploration of the consequences of war through a child's eyes".[10]

Accolades

The film was nominated for the 47th Japan Academy Film Prize for "Best Animation Film" category.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://eiga.com/movie/99129/. ja:映画 窓ぎわのトットちゃん. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window. December 8, 2023. eiga.com. ja. December 9, 2023.
  2. Web site: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's Totto-Chan Wartime Memoir Gets Anime Film This Winter. Anime News Network. Pineda. Rafael. March 19, 2023. October 8, 2023. October 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231012232227/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-19/tetsuko-kuroyanagi-totto-chan-wartime-memoir-gets-anime-film-this-winter/.196154. live.
  3. Web site: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window Anime Film's Trailer Reveals December 8 Premiere, Main Cast. Anime News Network. Pineda. Rafael. July 10, 2023. October 8, 2023. October 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231013001000/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-10/totto-chan-the-little-girl-at-the-window-anime-film-trailer-reveals-december-8-premiere-main-cast/.200136. live.
  4. Web site: 劇場アニメ「窓ぎわのトットちゃん」トットちゃん役発表 特報&ティザービジュアル公開. July 10, 2023. Comic Natalie. ja. July 10, 2023.
  5. Web site: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window Anime Film Reveals 4 Cast Members. Anime News Network. Mateo. Alex. September 26, 2023. October 8, 2023. October 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231013210334/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-26/totto-chan-the-little-girl-at-the-window-anime-film-reveals-4-cast-members/.202841. live.
  6. Web site: 劇場アニメ「窓ぎわのトットちゃん」主題歌はあいみょん 予告編&本ポスター公開. October 13, 2023. Comic Natalie. ja. October 13, 2023.
  7. Web site: Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window Anime Film Music Video Released. Saabedra. Humberto. November 14, 2023. Crunchyroll. November 14, 2023.
  8. Web site: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window Anime Film Opens at #6. Pineda. Rafael. December 11, 2023. Anime News Network. December 11, 2023.
  9. Web site: The Imaginary Anime Film Opens at #9. Pineda. Rafael. December 18, 2023. Anime News Network. December 18, 2023.
  10. Web site: 'Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window' Anime Film Review. Eisenbeis. Richard. December 15, 2023. Anime News Network. December 15, 2023.
  11. Web site: The Boy and the Heron, Godzilla Minus One, Detective Conan: Kurogane no Submarine, Blue Giant Nominated for Japan Academy Film Prizes. Mateo. Rafael. January 24, 2024. Anime News Network. January 24, 2024.
  12. Web site: 第47回日本アカデミー賞:優秀アニメーション作品賞に「鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎」「君たちはどう生きるか」「窓ぎわのトットちゃん」「名探偵コナン 黒鉄の魚影」「BLUE GIANT」. January 25, 2024. Mantan Web. ja. January 25, 2024.