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…

Okko’s Inn (2018): Kitaro Kosaka, director

What’s it about?

In a nutshell, Okko’s Inn is about a young girl (Okko) who loses both of her parents in a car accident (in which she was involved) and goes to live with her grandmother in a rural mountain village that’s also a hot springs retreat. Her grandmother runs a small inn, and – somewhat against her will – Okko ends up being the junior innkeeper, a role she eventually learns to love.

Oh, there are also ghosts living there that only Okko can see. Her brush with death has allowed her to see them, but these aren’t scary haunts; they’re friendly spirits who are also kids, and they just want to be friends.

The inn operates under the premise that everyone is welcome, no matter what, and it heals all. And even though Okko is naturally drawn to helping people, her role at the inn helps her understand that helping others is also key to helping herself. And, believe me, she’s in need of a lot of healing.

The basic story might immediately draw comparisons to Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, but “an inn with ghosts” is really where the similarities end. Ultimately, Okko’s Inn is a kid-friendly examination of grief and the trauma that accompanies it. The animation style might come off as “cute” and like it’s targeting a very young demographic (because it is), but the story being told is much more serious and personal.

Parental death has long been a mainstay of animated films – so much so that it’s become a Disney cliche – but most of the films that include it rarely deal with the grief and trauma the young characters would inevitably suffer. Kubo and the Two Strings comes close. My Neighbor Totoro dances around the edges. Okko’s Inn tackles it head on, which makes much of this film very different from how the trailers depict it.

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

Okko’s Inn is based on a Japanese shōjo manga and comes from the studio Madhouse, which was also behind Wolf Children, Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Perfect Blue, and plenty of others. I ended up watching the English dub with my kids, which was meh but fine. This isn’t a cast composed of superstar actors, but Madigan Kacmar delivers an excellent turn as Okko. The original Japanese cast is far superior and preferable, so I’d really recommend choosing that option.

As far as the cultural component, the entire film takes place in a small Japanese tourist town, so kids unfamiliar with Japan may have many questions about the inn, the hot springs, local festivals, and why people are visiting. But the story is perfectly relateable, and it’s not hard to follow along.

Will my kids like it?

Very likely. The character designs are adorable (despite Okko’s enormous eyes), the characters are all personable and likeable, there’s plenty of age-appropriate humor, and the story is simple enough for even the youngest of viewers to follow. Just know that the film also deals with serious issues and raises important questions about loss, grief, and healing. Several scenes might cause the waterworks to flow, but everything is handled with young viewers in mind.

Will I like it?

Okko’s Inn is an incredibly well-made film with a lot to love. The backgrounds and environments are gorgeous, and the entire film is a visual treat. It’s a relatively simple story that targets a younger audience, so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you have kids and watch it together, I’m going to say yes, you’ll really enjoy it. If you’re more a fan of action/sci-fi/”adult” anime, then this might not top your list of favorites.

I really liked it, though. And since I initially watched the English dub version of the film with my kids, I went back and watched the original Japanese version – which is not something I do with every film.

Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

The car accident that claims the life of Okko’s parents is shown toward the beginning of the film. Even though there’s no blood or graphic violence on screen, the event is still intense. There’s little doubt what happens. Kids who have been in a car accident or who have lost a friend or family member to one might be particularly affected by the scene.

Another scene toward the middle of the film shows Okko having a panic attack while riding in a car past the same section of highway. Again, the scene is intense and there’s little doubt about the trauma she’s been trying to hide.

How can I see it?

The GKIDS and Shout Factory Blu-ray release comes out on July 2, and it’s got a small selection of special features (all in Japanese with English subtitles), including an interview with director Kitaro Kosaka, an interview with Seiran Kobayashi (the Japanese voice of Okko), a Q&A panel at the Japanese premiere, and theatrical trailers and TV spots. It’s available from all the usual outlets, including Amazon.

Final word?

Give it a chance. It’s a gorgeously animated film with a lot of character and a surprisingly deep message. And it might just be the prescription young kids need to deal with and understand their own grief.