The appeal and reviews of the film "The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures": Why should you watch it?

The appeal and evaluation of the movie "The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures"

The film "The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures," released on July 8, 2022, is an animated film based on the popular children's book series published by Takahashi Shoten. The film depicts the adventures and growth of the "unfortunate creatures" in three naturally rich regions: Australia, Antarctica, and Japan (Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture). Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and reviews of this film.

Story and Characters

The film is made up of three episodes, each set in a different region and featuring a unique cast of characters.

Leroy's Home Tree

The main character in the Australia chapter is a cuddly koala named Leroy. He sets out on a journey to find his very own eucalyptus tree, his "home tree." Along the way, he meets Kooka the blue-winged kookaburra and Wanda the wombat, and they continue on their journey together. However, the journey is full of danger, including attacks by their natural enemy, the dingo. While feeling "unfortunate," Leroy encounters some mysterious creatures and overcomes these difficult times. This episode introduces the "unfortunate point" that koalas sleep all day because of the deadly poison contained in eucalyptus.

Pen Trip

The main character in the Antarctic chapter is Adelie, an Adelie penguin who wants to be popular without taking it easy. Adelie and her friends set out on a journey to return a lost emperor penguin to his family. However, along the way, they run into a series of big problems, such as no smartphone reception and encountering predatory creatures. The story depicts the "unfortunate point" of Adelie penguins, who are not very cautious.

Forest of Encounters

The main character of the Japan chapter is Usao, a Japanese hare who believes he is the strongest. Usao is fed up with his mother's constant worry and runs away from home. In the forest, he meets the cool-looking Usagizaki-senpai, and also Tsukiko, a timid Asiatic black bear. The three of them encounter various creatures and fall into a complete panic. The story introduces an "unfortunate point" that hares don't actually like to jump.

Production and staff

The animation for this film was handled by Fanworks, the company behind character-based anime such as the TV anime The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures and Sumikko Gurashi the Movie. The Antarctic chapter "Pen Travel" was directed by Yuji Uchiyama, the Australian chapter "Leroy's Hometree" by Naomi Iwata, and the Japanese chapter "The Forest of Encounters" by Kei Yoshimizu. Different staff members also wrote the screenplays for each episode, with Yuji Uchiyama (Antarctic chapter), Yoichi Kato (Australia chapter), and Toru Hosokawa (Japan chapter) among the directors.

The voice actors are also impressive, with Natsuki Hanae as Leroy, Tessho Genda as Diplo, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kuka, Mikako Komatsu as Wanda, and other actors chosen to perfectly suit each character. Tsuyoshi Muro and Sari Ito also appear as navigators, adding excitement to the story.

music

The theme song for the movie is "Cider" by Motohiro Hata, who also wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and arranged the song. The song is a perfect fit for the theme of the movie, and features a melody and lyrics that resonate with the audience.

Evaluation and Impressions

The film "The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures" has been highly praised as a work that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. In particular, the appearance of different regions and characters in each episode gives viewers fresh surprises and excitement. In addition, the unexpected aspects of the animals that are introduced as "unfortunate points" can also be enjoyed as educational material.

The animation quality is high, with the natural scenery and the expressions of the animals depicted realistically. The voice actors' performances are also excellent, and the personalities of the characters are conveyed clearly. The lively conversation between the navigators Tsuyoshi Muro and Sari Ito also adds to the film's appeal.

The story of the "unfortunate creatures" that is the theme of the film also depicts people living positively despite their own weaknesses and worries, giving courage and hope to the audience. In particular, the story of Leroy's growth until he finds his home tree will give children dreams and hope.

Related works and series

The movie "The Unfortunate Creatures Encyclopedia" was produced as part of the original "The Unfortunate Creatures Encyclopedia" series. This series is a children's book published by Takahashi Shoten, and has become popular for its content that introduces unexpected aspects of living creatures. The movie continues the worldview of this series while developing a new story.

Recommendations and how to watch

The movie "The Unfortunate Creatures Encyclopedia" is a great movie to enjoy with the whole family. Children and adults alike can deepen their knowledge of animals while being moved by the heartwarming story. This is a movie that we especially recommend to those who are interested in nature and animals.

After its theatrical release, this movie was also released on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available on video streaming services, so be sure to check it out. Furthermore, you can enjoy the world of the movie even more by reading the original "Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures" series.

Conclusion

The movie "The Encyclopedia of Unfortunate Creatures" is a heartwarming work that fully depicts the charm of nature and animals. The adventures of the characters and the different stories in each episode will provide the audience with emotion and laughter. Please enjoy this movie with your family and friends this summer.