Okko's Inn (2018)

A heart-warming family animation, Okko’s Inn deals with heavy issues like grief and fears of isolation, yet leaves the audience with an endearing message that love and friendship helps to overcome loss.

The story revolves around Oriko (or Okko) who moves to live at her Grandmothers traditional Inn after a tragic car accident which left her orphaned. Okko, terrified of being left alone and missing her parents then befriends the friendly – Uribo – the ghost of her grandmother’s childhood friend. Uribo encourages Okko to lend a hand at the Inn and soon she learns that through her hospitality she can help many of the guests to heal and forget their worries whilst she herself learns to cope with her grief.

Okkos Inn is a visually beautiful film and showcases the best of Japans idyllic countryside. The director Kitaro Kosaka masterfully weaves in elements of Japanese folklore and superstition, in the forms of the little demon she feeds to the minor danger she faces. The whole effect is that of a comforting slice of life anime with elements of believable fantasy, which perhaps sheds light on coping with grief through a child’s eyes. Despite featuring some deeply touching and saddening moments, on the whole Okko’s inn deals with a heavy concept beautifully and leaves the audience healed as thought they themselves have had a stay at Okko’s Inn.

This film is a must watch for any fans of Japanese animation and can be compared to Ghibli classic, Spirited Away with an almost Nanny McPhee style twist. (When Okko needs the ghosts company but doesn’t want them they will be there, when she no longer needs them they will go) I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a short but uplifting film whilst gaining an insight into the subtle aspects of Japanese culture.