CHILDREN OF THE SEA (Theatrical Release Japan 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Children of the Sea—good visuals—becomes confusing by the middle of the third act, difficult to interpret what happens to one of the supporting actors. The characters are well-developed, but the ability to cross international entertainment lines seems limited due to not understanding the cultural significance of this story. Read a plotline before going to understand these children’s attachment to water and why this story has significance.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A girl becomes involved with boys who have traits of fish.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ayumu Watanabe for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Lovinia Chiu, Tanaka Eiko, Hajime Inoue, Keishi Kameyama, Masakazu Kubo), Kimihisa Tsutsui, and Keiji Ôta for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Azumi Ruka (Voice of Mana Ashida), Umi (Voice of Hiiro Ishibashi), Sora (Voice of Seishû Uragami), Angurâdo (Voice of Win Morisaki), Ruka Azumi (Voice of Anjali Gauld), nglade (Voice of Beau Bridgland), Masaaki Azumi/Additional Voices (Voice of Marc Thompson), Kanako Azumi/Students (Voice of Karen Strassman), Gym Teacher/Doctor/Additional Voices (Wally Wingert), Jim Cusack/Additional Voices (Michael Sorich), Dehdeh (Voice of Denise Lee), Jean/Additional Voices (Voice of Josh Petersdorf), and Fuyuko/Students/Additional Voices (Christine Marie Cabanos).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good study of Asian culture and thinking processes, but becomes incomprehensible as it nears the last of the story. It is unclear what happened to one of the actors. Read a plotline before going.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers