The world can be an intimidating place when you have a loving grandmother telling you a different perspective and you are confined to a wheelchair – and for curious young woman Kumiko, who insists on being called Josee after a character in one of her favourite books, the world is not going to hold her as is in the new Japanese anime, JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH.
Clearly under a lot of stress from her situation, things get a little more complicated when, whilst out one night with her granny, Kumiko is pushed down a street and literally collides with hard-working student and sea-lover Tsuneo Suzukawa, who juggles all manner of endeavours and whose life could well be about to change thanks to a scholarship opportunity via education in Mexico.
Tsuneo is offered the chance to earn seemingly big money by Kumiko’s grandmother, but suddenly realizes that he has been duped into looking after her, with one rule – do as she says. Kumiko comes across as a rather frustrating and frustrated care for Tsuneo, who she teases and treats as ‘my servant’, with the promise of being regarded as a pervert who touches her dishonourably if he doesn’t do as she says.
One of his first duties is to take her to the sea to fulfil a promise that her deceased father told her about the sea being salty. As the relationship evolves, it is clear that Tsuneo has clear choices to make about his own future and that with Kumiko….
The latest adaptation of a 1984 short story by Seiko Tanabe is an involving coming-of-age rendition with some atmospheric and colourful animation which has already made a splash around the world, with it being selected to close the 25th Busan International Film Festival, and screening in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Back home in Japan, the film also earned nominations at both the 75th Mainichi Film Awards and the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize. As with all the classic animation, it is designed to give the audience a sense of escapism, whilst keeping the emotional core grounded enough to keep it real. The characterisation through it is affectionate and affecting, with the glory of the culture and grittiness celebrated as our two key characters evolve on their own individual journeys affected by the other.
Joyful to watch.
JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH will be screened in selected UK Cinemas from August 11th, 2021
