Makoto Shinkai's "The Journey of Bell Buds" regrets that "Spirited Away" is still the only Golden Bear winner at the Berlin Film Festival

On February 25th local time, the nominated Japanese animated film "The Journey of Suzuya" unfortunately did not win the grand prize. As of now, the only Japanese animated film to win the Golden Bear Award is still Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away".

Compared with the popularity of Japanese animated films in France, German judges are obviously not too fond of Japanese anime. In history, only two Japanese films have won the Berlin Film Festival Grand Prix. One was "Chapter and Imagination" directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi in 2021, which won the Jury Grand Prix. The only truly important award, the Golden Bear Award, was "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki in 2002.

The story of "Suzuya's Journey" is set in ruins across Japan. In order to close the "door" that is the source of disasters, Suzuya embarks on a fantasy journey. The film is well received in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and has already achieved great success in both box office and reputation.