Mai Mai Miracle

This Japanese animation movie is based on the Takagi Nobuko's award-winning autobiographical novel "Mai Mai Shinko," by Nobuko Takagi, winner of the prestigious literature award - Akutagawa Prize.

Mai Mai Miracle Poster

Genres: Drama
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
Starring: Mayuko Fukuda, Manami Honjou, Ei Morisako, Jenya
Alternative title: Mai Mai Shinko and the Millennium-Old Magic
Japanese: Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahō
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: 21 November 2009 (Japan)
Runtime: 93 min

Plot Summary:
In the mid-1950s in a small town of Hofu in Yamaguchi Prefecture in southwestern Japan. Shinko Aoki, a nine-year-old girl likes to listen to the history of the little town as it appeared a millennium prior by her grandfather and imagine herself in them. Fascinated by Kiiko's Tokyoite ways, Shinko quickly makes friends with a shy girl (Kiiko Shimazu) who has recently transferred to her school from Tokyo. They embark on a magical experience involving a goldfish and a thousand-year-old legendary figure.

"Mai Mai Miracle" Review:
A sprightly and vibrant Japanese animation movie that revolves around the friendship of a little girl, discoveries and growing-up, is depicted in this animation that overflows with elements of fantasy. Main purpose of this film isn't to show an as big drama as possible, for nostalgia. It just wants to show the lives of a bunch of kids growing up together. Both the animation and music were very good and consistent.

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517216/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ylq9RmW1w