Koro's Big Walk review: The perfect balance of relaxation and adventure

"Koro's Great Walk" - Hayao Miyazaki's heartwarming short animation

Overview

"Koro's Great Walk" is a short animated film produced by Studio Ghibli and released on January 3, 2002. It was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who also wrote the original story and screenplay. The film is set in a residential area on the outskirts of Tokyo and tells the story of the adventures of a puppy named Koro, and is characterized by its background illustrations drawn with colored pencils. Koro's adventures and their consequences are depicted in a single episode, a short 15-minute story.

■ Story

The story of "Koro's Big Walk" revolves around the adventures of a puppy named Koro, set in a residential area on the outskirts of Tokyo. After his owner Sawako goes to school, Koro escapes through an unlocked door. Now free, Koro runs around here and there, meeting all sorts of people. Meanwhile, when Sawako returns home, she finds Koro missing and frantically searches for him. Koro's adventures and Sawako's search intertwine, and the story depicts how they ultimately end.

■Production Background

"Koro's Great Walk" is a work created by Hayao Miyazaki using his own dog as a model. Hayao Miyazaki wanted to express the world seen from a dog's perspective by depicting his dog walking freely. This work is also noted as an example of Studio Ghibli's technical capabilities, and the background paintings drawn with colored pencils combine the warmth and realism of hand-drawn art.

■ Main staff

・Original story, script, and director: Hayao Miyazaki ・Animator: Hideaki Yoshio ・Art: Noboru Yoshida ・Music: Yuji Nomi ・Production: Studio Ghibli

■ Characters

・Koro: The main character is a puppy dog. He is curious and goes on adventures in search of freedom.
・Sawako: Koro's owner. When she notices that Koro is missing, she desperately searches for him.

■ Evaluations and Awards

"Koro's Great Walk" was highly praised for its unique drawing style and heartwarming story. In particular, the background illustrations drawn with colored pencils were noted for their visual beauty, combining the warmth and realism of hand-drawn art. The film also offered audiences a new perspective by depicting Hayao Miyazaki's love for his dog and the world from his perspective.

■ Recommendation points

"Koro's Great Walk" is a work that leaves a deep impression in a short time. It is especially recommended for dog lovers and fans of Hayao Miyazaki's work. In addition, the background paintings drawn with colored pencils combine the warmth and realism of hand-drawn art, and have been garnered attention as a work that pursues visual beauty. Furthermore, this work offers the audience a new perspective by depicting Hayao Miyazaki's love for his dog and the world seen from the dog's point of view. It is a work that you should definitely see.

■ Related works

Other works by Hayao Miyazaki include My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, which are also highly acclaimed for their unique drawing style and heartwarming stories. Other works by Studio Ghibli include Howl's Moving Castle and The Wind Rises, which are also notable examples of Studio Ghibli's technical skill and creativity.

■How to watch

"Koro's Great Walk" was released in theaters, but is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available on streaming services. It is definitely a film you should check out.

Conclusion

"Koro's Great Walk" is a heartwarming short animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. It is a work that leaves a deep impression in a short time, and is especially recommended for dog lovers and fans of Hayao Miyazaki's works. In addition, the background paintings drawn with colored pencils combine the warmth and realism of hand-drawn art, and are attracting attention as a work that pursues visual beauty. Furthermore, this work offers the audience a new perspective by depicting Hayao Miyazaki's love for his dog and the world seen from the dog's point of view. It is a work that you should definitely see.