Napping Princess: A moving story that transcends the boundaries between dreams and reality

The appeal and evaluation of "Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me"

Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me is an anime film directed by Kamiyama Kenji that was released on March 18, 2017. It was released in theaters and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is 110 minutes long and has a complete story in one episode. It was written by Kamiyama Kenji himself, produced by Signal MD, and copyright belongs to "©2017 Napping Princess Production Committee".

Story Summary

The protagonist of "Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me" is Kokone Morikawa, a high school student who loves taking naps. In her dreams, she gets lost in a mysterious world called "Heartland" and embarks on various adventures. As the real world and the dream world intersect, Kokone comes to terms with her own unknown past and grows as a person.

Character Introduction

Kokone Morikawa : The protagonist. A high school student who loves taking naps, she gets lost in a world called "Heartland" in her dreams. As she travels between reality and the dream world, she comes to terms with her own past.
Momotarou Morikawa : Kokone's father. A former police officer who now runs a motorcycle shop. He plays an important role in Kokone's dream.
Morisaki : A mysterious boy who Kokone meets in her dreams. He adventures with Kokone in Heartland.
Mimi : Kokone's best friend. She is a supportive figure for Kokone in the real world.

Appeal of the work

The greatest appeal of "Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me" is its unique storytelling, where the worlds of reality and dreams intersect. Director Kenji Kamiyama is known for his work on the "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" series and "Eden of the East," and is adept at depicting complex stories and detailed worldviews. His talent is on full display in this work as well.

In particular, the dream world "Heartland" functions as a metaphor for events in the real world and Kokone's inner thoughts, and there are many scenes that are visually stunning. The animation quality is also high, and Signal MD's technical capabilities shine through.

Music and Sound

The music is by Yoko Kanno. She is a composer known for her work on the Ghost in the Shell series and Cowboy Bebop, and her unique melodies and rhythms add depth to the work. In particular, in the scenes set in the dream world, the fantastical music livens up the story and enhances the emotions of the viewer. The theme song, "Bedtime Story," is also memorable, with lyrics and a melody that are symbolic of the theme of the work and stay in your mind.

Recognition and Awards

"Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me" has received high praise both in Japan and overseas. In particular, the beauty of the animation and the depth of the story have been highly praised, and the film has won awards at many film festivals. For example, it won the Outstanding Animation Award at the 41st Japan Academy Prize, and the Excellence Award in the Animation Division at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It has also received international acclaim, winning the Best Animation Award at the 21st Fantasia International Film Festival.

Recommended points

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

1. Beautiful animation : Signal.MD's technical expertise shines through in the beautiful visuals, providing a visual treat. The depiction of the dream world "Heartland" is particularly stunning.
2. Deep story : The story, which intertwines the world of reality and the world of dreams, will move viewers deeply and provoke them to think. Director Kenji Kamiyama's meticulous storytelling shines through.
3. The appeal of the music : Yoko Kanno's music enhances the atmosphere of the work and stirs emotions in the viewer. In particular, the theme song "Bedtime Story" is a must-listen.
4. Character Growth : The story of the protagonist Kokone's growth will impress and move viewers. Her attitude of confronting her past will give courage to many people.

Comparison with related works

"Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me" stands out in comparison to director Kenji Kamiyama's other works for its unique worldview and storytelling. For example, the "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" series depicts a cyberpunk worldview, and "Eden of the East" depicts the issues of modern society, but "Napping Princess" deals with the boundary between dreams and reality. These works are a testament to the diverse talents of director Kenji Kamiyama, and are not to be missed by fans.

What viewers say

Here are some comments from viewers.

Viewer A : "I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the dream world. The story was deep and moving."
Viewer B : "Yoko Kanno's music was amazing. The theme song was especially memorable."
Viewer C : "I empathized with Kokone's story of growth. It gave me the courage to face my own past."

summary

"Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me" is a work that fully demonstrates the talents of director Kenji Kamiyama. Beautiful animation, a deep story, compelling music, and character development will move and empathize with the viewer. This work is recommended not only for anime fans, but also for anyone interested in storytelling and visual art. Please watch it at the theater at least once.