We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

Mirai (2018):
Mamoru Hosoda, director

What’s it about?

Four-year-old Kun is happy and adjusted to a life of being the only child. But when his new baby sister, Mirai, comes home, his world is turned upside down. Suddenly, his parents seem only to pay attention to Mirai. Visitors, including beloved grandparents, are only concerned with taking pictures and videos of Mirai – not him. In short, Kun feels ignored, jealous, and angry. So he lashes out, but that only makes the situation worse.

Then, one day, the small garden courtyard inside their home looks and feels… different. The strange man he meets there? That’s the family dog come to life. Trippy.

It’s mostly fun and games until Kun encounters a teenage girl who turns out to be a grown version of his sister (“Mirai from the future”). And as cool as she might be, she’s still Mirai – the pesky little sister stealing all his attention and love – so Kun instinctively doesn’t like her.

The garden’s “magic” is there to transport Kun away from the pain of the present, and through it, Kun travels through time and space not only to meet his sister but also to play with a young version of his mother and meet his great-grandfather as a young man. Along the way, he learns about his family, discovers the connections that bind them, and is forced to admit his love for Mirai.

The prominent tree in the garden courtyard is the linchpin that both sends Kun on these wild adventures and brings him home again. It’s… his family tree. Get it? It’s pretty on the nose.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

This is a Japanese film, and the story is firmly rooted in traditional Japanese family roles and norms. Much of the conflict in the plot arises because the successful architect father is suddenly a stay-at-home-dad/work-from-home freelancer responsible for taking care of two small kids (while mom goes back to work), which is something that’s still not universally accepted in Japan.

The family’s history, home, neighborhood, and relationships are all very grounded in modern Japanese society, which might be unfamiliar to some, but nothing is incredibly “foreign.” There’s no real barrier to overcome; in many respects, Mirai is like a window into another culture.

One of my biggest beefs with Mirai is Kun, the 4-year-old the main character. I hate to say this, but he’s not at all likable, and I say this as a dad of a son who can sometimes be… challenging. I could maybe deal with his personality if the actor playing him (in the Japanese version) didn’t take Kun over the edge and make him thoroughly unappealing.

It was so bad, in fact, that I was forced to switch over to the English version, which is vastly better all around. But that shouldn’t be a surprise, since it stars John Cho, Rebecca Hall, and Daniel Dae Kim. Though I usually opt for – and recommend – the original language, I’d 100% go with the English dub for Mirai.

Will my kids like it? Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Kids who have younger siblings will undoubtedly relate to Kun and Mirai’s fraught relationship. They’ll likely understand Kun’s reactions to everything happening around him when Mirai comes home. The fantasy sequences where Kun travels through time, encounters family members, and “becomes” the family dog will no doubt entrance and entertain, as intended.

There’s nothing “objectionable,” but much of Kun’s behavior – along with a sequence in which he runs away – isn’t socially acceptable… yet the film doesn’t go out of its way to comment on or judge that negative behavior. Parents might want to talk to very young kids about Kun’s behavior, why he lashes out, and whether it’s effective.

Will I like it?

Mamoru Hosoda is a well-known director whose previous credits include The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children, among others. Expectations were high for Mirai, and the film was actually nominated for a bevy of awards – including Best Animated Film at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. I really wanted to like it. Alas.

Your mileage may vary, and even though I’m usually a huge fan of quiet slice-of-life stories with a twinge of the fantastic, Mirai just didn’t do it for me. Given my inclination toward stories like this – and the fact that I’m a father and a sucker for emotional stories about kids and family – this should’ve been a home run. Alas.

Maybe it was 4-year-old – and totally unlikable – protagonist Kun. Maybe it was a story that felt like it went nowhere. Maybe it was the portrayal of Kun and Mirai’s dad as a bumbling fool who doesn’t know the first thing about being a father… or husband. Maybe it was all these and more.

Mirai was certainly well received, so you very well might like it. But I’d recommend one of Mamoru’s other films over this one. Queue up The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. You won’t be sorry.

How can I see it?

GKIDS and Universal released a Blu-ray edition of the film with a fair number of special features. Included is both the Japanese and English audio tracks, an interview with the director, numerous making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, and more. The film is also available digitally from most retailers and is currently on Netflix (both language versions).

Final word?

Meh. It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s a superbly well-crafted film with gorgeous animation and some interesting ideas. You just need to put up with some annoying and not-well-developed characters.