I loved this movie. Sure, it isn't exactly Spirited Away, it feels more like a TV movie, but if you're looking for a pleasant and adorable children's film, this is a lovely option. The backgrounds in the film are simple yet gorgeous, it's actually very refreshing to look at. The CG special effects blend nicely on top of the traditional animation. The animal characters are very simple & cute, and yet somehow they are quite unique and memorable. Actually that describes the whole movie. It has a feeling of childlike wonder, and it's funny too! At first, I thought I was going to be annoyed by the super-cute main girl, Ai. Judging her appearance I expected the typical squeaky airhead, but her self-reliant personality was pleasant and relatable! She is a good example for kids, or anyone.
This movie plays out more like a series of slice of life moments. I would say the plot is more about Ai's process of becoming part this new community. By working diligently, helping others, and making friends, over time she starts to feel more at home. The little fossil-finding adventures they have and the mystery of the message in the bottle might be misinterpreted as the main plot, but I'd call it the sub-plot. The real heart of this movie is the friendship that grows between Ai & Sally, it's touching and relatable.
If you like pleasant, slice of life movies, I definitely recommend watching this. It's only available in Japanese. I saw a fan-subbed version, but I hear there is a pretty decent fan-dub in the works.
