NiNoKuni (2019)

Ni No Kuni is a film inspired by the game series created by Akihiro Hino and Level 5, continuing the story after Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. The movie retains several game elements and shares a visual tone reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, partly due to the involvement of Ghibli animator Yoshiyuki Momose as director. While the story about parallel worlds is intriguing and logically presented, its execution feels somewhat shallow, leaving many parts underdeveloped.

The film builds a solid foundation by introducing its characters and their connections clearly, with conflict arising from Kotona’s peril and differing viewpoints between the protagonists. Action scenes, including battles and war sequences, provide excitement, but the animation quality is inconsistent, especially during large-scale fights, which slightly disrupts the overall visual harmony. Some character expressions also lack emotional depth, weakening the impact of tense moments and dialogue delivery.

On the positive side, music and sound effects help enhance the storytelling, and voice actors like Mamoru Miyano add life to their characters. However, some key story elements remain vague or unexplored, such as the true identity of Yu and his family background, which could have deepened the narrative. Overall, Ni No Kuni is an engaging film for mature viewers but may not be suitable for young children due to its heavier themes.

Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)