Miss Hokusai (2015)

The life and works of Japanese artist and ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai, as seen from the eyes of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei.

Directors:

Keiichi Hara, Stephanie Sheh

Writers:

Hinako Sugiura (comic "Sarusuberi"), Miho Maruo (screenplay)

Stars:

Yutaka Matsushige, Anne Watanabe, Erica Lindbeck

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Erica Lindbeck	...	O-Ei (voice)
Anne Watanabe	...	O-Ei (voice) (as An)
Richard Epcar	...	Katsushika Hokusai / Additional Voices (voice)
Yutaka Matsushige	...	Katsushika Hokusai (voice)
Gaku Hamada	...	Ikeda Zenjirô (voice)
Ezra Weisz	...	Zenjiro Ikeda (voice)
Robbie Daymond	...	Kuninao Utagawa (voice)
Kengo Kôra	...	Utagawa Kuninao (voice)
Barbara Goodson	...	Koto / Additional Voices (voice)
Jun Miho	...	Koto (voice)
Courtney Chu	...	O-Nao (voice)
Shion Shimizu	...	O-Nao (voice)
Marc Diraison	...	Hatsugoro / Additional Voices (voice)
Michitaka Tsutsui	...	Iwakubo Hatsugorô (voice)
Kumiko Asô	...	Sayogoromo (voice)

Storyline

Set in 1814, Miss Hokusai focuses on O-Ei, the daughter of famed artist Tetsuzo, better known by his pen name Hokusai, as she tries to navigate the various aspects of her life. O-Ei spends the bulk of her time assisting her divorced father who cares about his art and not much else.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | canine | man's best friend | illustrator | tatami | 

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Taglines:

In a father's shadow.

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Genres:

Animation | Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including sexual situations and images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [Japan] Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

9 May 2015 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Miss Hokusai

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,524, 16 October 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$216,202, 6 November 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asatsu-DK, Bandai Visual Company, Oriental Light and Magic (OLM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While, in the movie, O-Ei and her younger sister, O-Nao, are the only children (or at least the only children revealed) of Hokusai, history says the famous painter fathered two sons and three daughters with two wives - O-Ei actually being the youngest daughter, although some sources say Hokusai fathered four daughters, the youngest possibly being O-Nao.

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Goofs

The movie (or at least the subtitles) stated that Hokusai died at age 90. He actually died at the age of 88.

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Connections

Referenced in Toonami Pre-Flight: Favorite Video Games of 2016 (2016)

User Reviews

Fine story, well made

We meet O-Ei, grown daughter of the famous Japanese painter Hokusai. She has a younger sister, O-Nao, who is blind. (O-Ei's name was actually Katsushka Ōi, but it also appears as "O-Ei".) Hokusai is depicted as a gruff, single-minded man, living in his studio, apart from his wife and children. The blind young sister is invented - as is most of the rest of the story. But she plays a very important part.

There are great moments here. One incredibly beautiful moment occurs near the end of the film. And of course, there's a delightful scene involving his most famous print, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa".

The animation is beautifully done, in typical Japanese fashion. Not as beautifully as Miyazaki, but still, good.

The story covers a lot of ground, including the Japanese form of erotic art (shunga). Part of that thread involves an important plot element.

The musical score is very Western and modern, which could be a little off-putting. As the credits went by, I saw one of the song titles given in Spanish!.

It's a movie that keeps you involved, and doesn't let you nod off.

PS: Keep your eyes on the little dog that shows up at the beginning.