Hinokio

I wasn't really sure what I was in for here, as I sat down in 2023 to watch the 2005 Japanese sci-fi drama "Hinokio" for the first time. I had never actually heard about the movie prior to stumbling upon it and sitting down to watch it.

Writers Takahiko Akiyama, Masumi Suetani and Shôji Yonemura put together a fair enough script and storyline, though the movie was aimed at a younger audience. But still, there was something good and well-written about the concept of the movie, and it made for adequate entertainment. The aspect of a disabled child using a robotic proxy to participate in school and social events was actually rather interesting, so thumbs up to the writers on that accomplishment.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in "Hinokio", but they had a good selection of young actors and actresses, whom carried the movie well and brought both the story and the characters to life on the screen in a nice manner.

Visually then "Hinokio" was fairly good. The special effects and CGI in the movie were fair enough and did their job adequately in bringing the robotic proxy to life on the screen.

If you enjoy sci-fi movies with robots, then director Takahiko Akiyama's 2005 movie "Hinokio" might be well-worth checking out. I was adequately entertained throughout the course of the 111 minutes that the movie ran for.

The movie's title "Hinokio: Intergalactic Love" made little sense in terms of the "Intergalactic Love" part. Though the "Hinokio" part was a nice play on the "Pinochio" title.

My rating of "Hinokio" lands on a six out of ten stars.

To be completely honest, this is a film that I had little to no interest in watching. However, because a couple of my Internet friends seemed quite interested in it, I decided to give it a shot. Now I am glad I did. I was concerned at first that the film was going to be nothing more than a kid makes friends with a robot film, but Hinokio does not fall into this overdone plot device. Instead this film delves into a number of the ills of modern society in a fresh and entertaining manner.

The film opens with Hinokio making its entrance into an otherwise mundane homeroom class consisting of such students as the nerdy Joichi, the hyperactive Kenta, and the teacher's pet Sumire. Also in the classroom is the moody Jun who, although a bit intrigued with the new "student", is not overly impressed by the new arrival. We soon learn that Iwamoto Satoru a young boy who is rehabilitating from a car accident controls Hinokio. The robot allows him to attend school and interact with other students while he recuperates at home. However, instead of being warmly embraced by his new classmates, Satoru, or Hinokio, is the victim of pranks. However, after he refuses to tattle on Jun, Kenta, and Joichi, the four soon become friends.

While Satoru's relationship with his friends, especially with Jun, is the primary story, Satoru's relationship with his father, who the boy blames for the death of his mother, is also central to the film. Because of his reluctance to interact with the outside world and muteness with his father, Satoru resembles a Hikikomori, or shut-in, a social ill that has spread in modern Japanese society.

At times humorous and at times quite moving, Hinokio is a good film to watch for those immersed in the violent films of Miike Takashi or the nostalgic oeuvre of Ozu Yasujiro. It reminds us that there are other films that while not overly artistic can really move an audience or just make one smile.

I saw this at the Japanese Film Festival in Sydney and I thought it was fantastic. The whole story is clichéd as a whole, however with all the plot twists changing directions you have to just let it take you where it wants to go.

The story involves a young boy who lost his mother and was confined to a wheel-chair from a car accident. He spends his time locked in is room, using a robot that he can communicate from his computer as his eyes to the outside world.

Some moments in the film could be considered to many audiences as quite corny, however, the darker elements manage to balance the film as a whole quite nicely. At times the film feels it gets a bit long too, however this is only because there are so many ideas crammed into it that sometimes you really have no idea where it is going and are wanting to find a resolution all too soon. The ending, however, is far more than satisfying enough.

Use of cg is really great too, although it is usually saved for the right moments so that it is most effective. The use of first person perspectives and computer game footage was masterfully utilized to make interesting comparisons between reality and virtual-reality. Much more interesting than it was in say, Doom.

I think the most important thing about this film though, is that the characters are presented in ways that you can only feel compassion for them. You get the sense that the makers also felt the same way.

Verdict: You'll laugh, you'll cry.

I'm very like the plot of this movie. From the first scene, still stop me of everything to see every scene... The story of the youth show on the right way, sincere in the manner and have imaginary.

Modern Animation can go along with beautiful scenario of suburb of Japan in a harmonious theme.

Sometime sub-ego or super-ego when we're in pain / in vain, we don't know how to cope with it. Without the REAL friend or the best friend helping, that person may stuck and can't get out of that blackhole and show off with drastic action...

This picture,not only without the conflict of the youth actor in the best acting but also the person behind. I would like to thank you for the guys behind this scene. And want to see this kind of good picture again !

Very impressive ! Thailand Fans

I recommend "Hinokio: Intergalactic Love" to anyone who likes a family movie, or anyone who is tired of Too Much Angst and wants a happy story. :)

I loved this movie because it is very well tied together-- there are no lose ends to speak of, but also because it explores a mature concept-- but in a way that younger people can understand, too. This is a movie that talks about death, love, forgiveness and friendship. Even "grown" people can take something out of this movie.

"Hinokio: Intergalactic Love" is a story of Satoru and his classmates. Satoru lost his mom in the same car accident that left him in a wheel chair. One year after the death of his mother, Satoru's father gives him a robot that allows him to go to school from home. In this way, Satoru can re-enter life outside his room without ever leaving it.

The conflict in this movie comes at first from Satoru being alienated in his class. He wants to make friends with the other children, but they cannot see past the robot in front of them to the little boy talking to them through it. The children will not even call the robot by Satoru's name—instead, they refer to him as "Hinokio." Another conflict comes from Satoru's relationship with his father-- who Satoru refuses to speak to.

The story is very well woven together with the introduction of a mysterious game "Purgatory"-- a game hidden within a game (Cyber City). This game catches Satoru's interest because it is centered on the after life.

How will Satoru come to terms with his mother's death? Will he every make a connection with his friends in his class? Watch and find out. :)