A gleaming and delightful anime with a large appetite for tenderness and laughter, director Ayumu Watanabe’s mother-daughter saga “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko” boundlessly adores its titular character even when it lingers a tad too long on her happy-go-lucky naiveté or ample love of food.
We get introduced to Nikuko (Shinobu Ôtake), a charming thirtysomething living with her young daughter, Kikuko (Cocomi), as she contentedly works at a local grill house in a small port town in Northern Japan. Heavyset, carefree and irrepressibly joyful in a manner that both puzzles and disarms everyone around her, she is known as “the cheery plump lady who wound up living here” to townsfolk. There is a lot of truth to that, as the film’s stunning opening montage recaps, guided largely by Kikuko’s voiceover, like the rest of the movie.
Being a punch-drunk romantic a little too trusting of scheming men who mercilessly take advantage of her,...
We get introduced to Nikuko (Shinobu Ôtake), a charming thirtysomething living with her young daughter, Kikuko (Cocomi), as she contentedly works at a local grill house in a small port town in Northern Japan. Heavyset, carefree and irrepressibly joyful in a manner that both puzzles and disarms everyone around her, she is known as “the cheery plump lady who wound up living here” to townsfolk. There is a lot of truth to that, as the film’s stunning opening montage recaps, guided largely by Kikuko’s voiceover, like the rest of the movie.
Being a punch-drunk romantic a little too trusting of scheming men who mercilessly take advantage of her,...
- 6/3/2022
- by Tomris Laffly
- Variety Film + TV
There’s more warmth than wisdom in the animated Japanese coming-of-age drama “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” an exceptionally well-realized variation on a by-now familiar anime story: a young girl learns how to love herself and her life in a picturesque seaside town.
The typically impressive craftsmen at the Japanese animation studio Studio 4°C have successfully highlighted the most endearing parts of this mother-daughter dramedy, which is as much about going through puberty as it is about accepting a parent or guardian for who they are.
Director Ayumu Watanabe and supervising animation director–character designer Kenichi Konishi (“Children of the Sea”) capture the halting rhythms and awkward splendor of daily life in a small port town. That makes all the difference in this story about a shy pre-teen who learns not only to look forward to her adolescence, but also how to empathize with her embarrassing single mother.
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The typically impressive craftsmen at the Japanese animation studio Studio 4°C have successfully highlighted the most endearing parts of this mother-daughter dramedy, which is as much about going through puberty as it is about accepting a parent or guardian for who they are.
Director Ayumu Watanabe and supervising animation director–character designer Kenichi Konishi (“Children of the Sea”) capture the halting rhythms and awkward splendor of daily life in a small port town. That makes all the difference in this story about a shy pre-teen who learns not only to look forward to her adolescence, but also how to empathize with her embarrassing single mother.
Also Read:
Crunchyroll...
- 6/2/2022
- by Simon Abrams
- The Wrap
Following the impressive “Children of the Sea”, the golden team of Ayumu Watanabe and Studio 4ºC, once more focus on a school girl, Kikuko, although this time she is attending elementary while her mother, the titular Nikuko, is an even bigger part of the picture (pun intended).
“Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko” is screening at Sdaff Spring Showcase
Nikuko, whose name means something on the lines of ‘meat child’, has settled in a seaside town with her daughter, Kikuko, following a series of relationships with men who either exploited or abandoned her, or even both, as the impressive, initial montage eloquently presents. She works in the local tavern, while her daughter, on the cusp of adolescence, attends the local elementary, with all the ‘romance and the politics’ that come with the age being in full blossom. The two of them, however, could not be more different, as Nikuko is big, loud and immature while Kikuko,...
“Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko” is screening at Sdaff Spring Showcase
Nikuko, whose name means something on the lines of ‘meat child’, has settled in a seaside town with her daughter, Kikuko, following a series of relationships with men who either exploited or abandoned her, or even both, as the impressive, initial montage eloquently presents. She works in the local tavern, while her daughter, on the cusp of adolescence, attends the local elementary, with all the ‘romance and the politics’ that come with the age being in full blossom. The two of them, however, could not be more different, as Nikuko is big, loud and immature while Kikuko,...
- 4/23/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Netflix dominated the Annie Awards on March 12, winning a whopping 20 categories including the big prize, Best Studio Animated Feature. That went to “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” which also won all seven of its other races.
“Encanto,” the Oscar frontrunner for Best Animated Feature, only went three for nine (and those were in races where it wasn’t competing against “The Mitchells vs. the Machines”). Of the other Oscar nominees, “Luca” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” were shut out despite 10 and eight bids respectively. The fifth Oscar nominee, “Flee,” Best Independent Feature over “Belle,” “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” “Pompo the Cinephile” and “The Summit of the Gods.”
Netflix also rule on the TV side, winning an even dozen awards across 13 categories. Its action adventure series “Arcane” claimed bragging rights by bagging nine trophies. Among its win was Best Animated TV Production (General Audience), which is roughly equivalent to the Emmy for Best Animated Program.
“Encanto,” the Oscar frontrunner for Best Animated Feature, only went three for nine (and those were in races where it wasn’t competing against “The Mitchells vs. the Machines”). Of the other Oscar nominees, “Luca” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” were shut out despite 10 and eight bids respectively. The fifth Oscar nominee, “Flee,” Best Independent Feature over “Belle,” “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” “Pompo the Cinephile” and “The Summit of the Gods.”
Netflix also rule on the TV side, winning an even dozen awards across 13 categories. Its action adventure series “Arcane” claimed bragging rights by bagging nine trophies. Among its win was Best Animated TV Production (General Audience), which is roughly equivalent to the Emmy for Best Animated Program.
- 3/13/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s Oscar-nominated “Drive My Car” took eight prizes at the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony, held on Friday at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takawana in Tokyo.
In addition to the best picture award, the film won best director (Hamaguchi), best screenplay (Hamaguchi and co-writer Oe Takamasa) and best actor (Nishijima Hidetoshi). The film also scooped prizes for cinematography, lighting, editing and sound recording.
Meanwhile, best actress went to Arimura Kasumi for her work in the hit romantic drama “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.”
Best animation honors were awarded to Watanabe Ayumu’s “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” a heart-warming coming-of-age film set in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
The Japan Academy Film Prizes, which have been awarded annually since 1978, are modeled on the U.S. Academy Awards, though some categories are different. Also, the nominees are selected by industry professionals, though the voters include employees at major film companies,...
In addition to the best picture award, the film won best director (Hamaguchi), best screenplay (Hamaguchi and co-writer Oe Takamasa) and best actor (Nishijima Hidetoshi). The film also scooped prizes for cinematography, lighting, editing and sound recording.
Meanwhile, best actress went to Arimura Kasumi for her work in the hit romantic drama “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.”
Best animation honors were awarded to Watanabe Ayumu’s “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” a heart-warming coming-of-age film set in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
The Japan Academy Film Prizes, which have been awarded annually since 1978, are modeled on the U.S. Academy Awards, though some categories are different. Also, the nominees are selected by industry professionals, though the voters include employees at major film companies,...
- 3/12/2022
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
For the second year in a row, the 49th Annie Awards will be virtual after Asifa-Hollywood, the organization behind the event, decided to pivot amid the omicron-driven surge in Covid-19 cases.
The show was originally going to be an in-person affair Feb. 26 at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. Now it will be streamed on the Annie Awards website, on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 7 p.m. Pt.
According to Asifa-Hollywood executive director Frank Gladstone, the board made the decision to pivot in mid-January. Members considered three options. “One was to just stay the course and do the live show,” Gladstone says. Option two was to go virtual. “And the third option was doing a live show but postponing it even further,” he says. “At the end of the day, going virtual was what the board decided to do.”
The decision meant the team behind the show had to scramble...
The show was originally going to be an in-person affair Feb. 26 at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. Now it will be streamed on the Annie Awards website, on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 7 p.m. Pt.
According to Asifa-Hollywood executive director Frank Gladstone, the board made the decision to pivot in mid-January. Members considered three options. “One was to just stay the course and do the live show,” Gladstone says. Option two was to go virtual. “And the third option was doing a live show but postponing it even further,” he says. “At the end of the day, going virtual was what the board decided to do.”
The decision meant the team behind the show had to scramble...
- 3/10/2022
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Not surprisingly, four of the five contenders for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars number among the leading contenders for the 49th annual Annie Awards. Our predicted winner of that race, “Encanto,” reaped nine nominations here. It was outpaced by “Raya and the Last Dragon” with a leading 10 bids while “Luca” and “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” are at eight each. All four are up for Best Studio Animated Feature as is “Sing 2,” which merited just this one mention.
“Flee” rounds out the Best Animated Feature race at the Oscars. This Danish import is up for Best Independent Feature against “Belle,” “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” “Pompo the Cinephile” and “The Summit of the Gods.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association. The ceremony is set for Saturday, March 12. That is five days before final Oscar voting commences.
Seven of the last...
“Flee” rounds out the Best Animated Feature race at the Oscars. This Danish import is up for Best Independent Feature against “Belle,” “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” “Pompo the Cinephile” and “The Summit of the Gods.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association. The ceremony is set for Saturday, March 12. That is five days before final Oscar voting commences.
Seven of the last...
- 3/10/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday revealed the 276 feature films that are eligible for consideration at the 94rd Oscars, which are set to air live March 27 on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The number is 90 fewer than last year’s 366, but this year’s eligibility period was only 10 months.
To be eligible for Best Picture consideration, films must have submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry as part of the submission requirements. Nominations voting begins January 27 and concludes on February 1. The Oscar nominations will be revealed on Tuesday, February 8.
Today’s news comes about a month after the Academy released its shortlists in the International Film, Documentary Feature, Original Score, Original Song, Makeup & Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Sound and the Live-Action, Documentary and Animated Shorts categories.
Here is the full list of films eligible for Best Picture at the 94rd annual Academy Awards,...
The number is 90 fewer than last year’s 366, but this year’s eligibility period was only 10 months.
To be eligible for Best Picture consideration, films must have submitted a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry as part of the submission requirements. Nominations voting begins January 27 and concludes on February 1. The Oscar nominations will be revealed on Tuesday, February 8.
Today’s news comes about a month after the Academy released its shortlists in the International Film, Documentary Feature, Original Score, Original Song, Makeup & Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Sound and the Live-Action, Documentary and Animated Shorts categories.
Here is the full list of films eligible for Best Picture at the 94rd annual Academy Awards,...
- 1/20/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
“Poupelle of Chimney Town” begins where “Toy Story 3” ends, with a daring escape from a dangerous garbage incinerator. You see, it’s not always easy to tell the trash from the treasure in Chimney Town, a richly imagined steampunk metropolis where smokestacks crowd the skyline, belching so much thick black haze into the air that an entire generation of soot-covered townspeople has ceased to believe in the stars. The lone exception, a bobble-headed boy named Lubicchi (Antonio Raul Corbo), is always looking up, determined to prove to everyone that there’s something beyond all that “smoky smoke.”
To prove his theory, this pint-sized Galileo’s gonna need help, and he finds it in the form of an unlikely friend, magically brought to life one night from the local landfill — a literal “garbage man” he decides to call Poupelle. This stinky scarecrow-looking character might not seem like the most appealing of companions,...
To prove his theory, this pint-sized Galileo’s gonna need help, and he finds it in the form of an unlikely friend, magically brought to life one night from the local landfill — a literal “garbage man” he decides to call Poupelle. This stinky scarecrow-looking character might not seem like the most appealing of companions,...
- 1/8/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” the studio’s first Southeast Asian action-adventure, led Asifa-Hollywood’s 49th Annie Awards with 10 nominations, including best animated feature. Disney’s Colombian-set musical “Encanto,” followed with nine nods, while Pixar’s Italian-set “Luca” tied for eight with Sony Animation/Netflix’s innovative, 2D-inspired “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” This year’s ceremony is scheduled to return live on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
The best feature noms went to “Raya,” (from “Big Hero Six” Oscar-winning director Don Hall), “Encanto”, “Luca,” “The Mitchells” (from “Spider-Verse” Oscar-winning producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller), and Illumination’s “Sing 2.” The competitive studio race for best feature could go Disney’s way or “The Mitchells'” (winner of the NYFCC animated feature award).
The race for best independent feature, meanwhile, was led by GKids’ “Belle,” the metaverse “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired musical from director Mamoru Hosoda...
The best feature noms went to “Raya,” (from “Big Hero Six” Oscar-winning director Don Hall), “Encanto”, “Luca,” “The Mitchells” (from “Spider-Verse” Oscar-winning producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller), and Illumination’s “Sing 2.” The competitive studio race for best feature could go Disney’s way or “The Mitchells'” (winner of the NYFCC animated feature award).
The race for best independent feature, meanwhile, was led by GKids’ “Belle,” the metaverse “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired musical from director Mamoru Hosoda...
- 12/21/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Netflix’s investment in animation has paid off in a big way, as the streamer picked up a whopping 52 nominations at the 49th Annie Awards. Following behind is Disney, which received 29 bids between its film and TV projects.
Taking place on Feb. 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall and presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, the Annie Awards recognize excellence in cinema and television.
Netflix picked up nine nominations for “Arcane,” its series based on Riot Games’ online multiplayer game “League of Legends.” The hit film from Sony Pictures Animation “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” earned eight nods, and Netflix’s own limited series “Maya and the Three,” directed by Jorge Gutierrez, has seven.
While Disney lagged behind Netflix for total nominations, the studio’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” led all content with 10 nominations, followed by its studio sibling “Encanto,” which picked up nine.
Taking place on Feb. 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall and presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, the Annie Awards recognize excellence in cinema and television.
Netflix picked up nine nominations for “Arcane,” its series based on Riot Games’ online multiplayer game “League of Legends.” The hit film from Sony Pictures Animation “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” earned eight nods, and Netflix’s own limited series “Maya and the Three,” directed by Jorge Gutierrez, has seven.
While Disney lagged behind Netflix for total nominations, the studio’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” led all content with 10 nominations, followed by its studio sibling “Encanto,” which picked up nine.
- 12/21/2021
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
After a year-long delay due to the pandemic, the Animation Is Film festival returns this year for its fourth edition, taking place Oct. 22-24. The festival will be held, as it traditionally has been, at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood and will feature a competition lineup of the best animation films of the year, as well as other special events.
“If you look at the lineup, you’ll see that there are titles … that have played at Sundance and Cannes and Annecy, and the festival is an opportunity for everyone to see these films,” says Matt Kaszanek, director, Animation Is Film. “We’re really happy with the lineup we were able to put together this year in the strange times of 2021, so we’re really excited for the program and we hope everyone else is too.”
The festival kicks off with the North American premiere of the Netflix feature “The Summit of the Gods,...
“If you look at the lineup, you’ll see that there are titles … that have played at Sundance and Cannes and Annecy, and the festival is an opportunity for everyone to see these films,” says Matt Kaszanek, director, Animation Is Film. “We’re really happy with the lineup we were able to put together this year in the strange times of 2021, so we’re really excited for the program and we hope everyone else is too.”
The festival kicks off with the North American premiere of the Netflix feature “The Summit of the Gods,...
- 10/23/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
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