Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window at New York International Children’s Film Festival
This year’s New York International Children’s Film Festival lasted from February 23 to March 16, 2025. To celebrate the beauty of film and its transformative power. Movies allow people to learn more about themselves, others, and the world. This festival, in particular, champions children by creating programming that honors them. The first film I had the opportunity to watch was Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window.
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window is an animated adaptation of Kuroyanagi Tetsuko’s best-selling memoir of the same name. After being kicked out of school, the hyperactive and inquisitive Totto-Chan enters Tomoe Gakuen, an alternative elementary school where classes are hosted in an old streetcar. Set in 1940s Japan, Totto Chan makes new friends and grows with new experiences as the world grows frantically around her.
Thoughts on Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Animation is magic. Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window was nothing short of magical. Yakuwa Shinnosuke (also the director) and Suzuki Yōsuke wrote a compelling script that managed to capture a childlike innocence in a way I’ve never seen before. Kaneko’s Shizue character designs were stunning. Storyboard artists, background illustrators, and the rest of the team at Shin-Ei Animation took what she did and fleshed it out so well. It painted a stark image of what I’d imagine 1940s Japan to be. It was immersive, striking, and felt very old-timey. Bridging the gap between modern animation with a vintage-influenced aesthetic!. Giving you something both old and new at the same time.
The soundtrack by Nomi’s Yuji was beautiful. It hit the right beats when necessary and rode the wave in other moments. The sound design was solid as well. The voice acting was great. I watched it in Japanese with English subtitles. Ohno’s Liliana performance as Totto Chan carries the entire film. I was surprised to learn that Ohno’s was an actual kid, which explains why it felt so real life-like. Other notable voices featured were Hashimoto Koji, Oguri Shun, Watanabe Anne, and Takizawa Karen.
Observations
I love how this film takes children seriously. On screen and off screen. They are capable of critical thinking and learning about real things. Suzuki and Yakuwa understood this; the school staff at Tomoe Gakuen understood this, too. Getting to see such a non-traditional education experience to arm these little people for an ever-changing world was nice tos see. Reiterating the point that they are just little people.
Kids can be cruel at times, Tomoe seemed to be a safe haven for students who wouldn’t fit into a traditional setting. Like Totto Chan and her closest friend Yasuaki, who suffers from Polio. I have the inkling that the other students may have been ostracized from other schools as well. I’m not sure, but I love how they rallied together. And seemed to find community with one another.
Why should you watch Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window?
Totto’s Chan is a fun movie. It was bright, bubbly, and very beautifully animated. It will take you on a journey with a full range of emotions. From happiness to sadness and every feeling in between. A gratitude good time, I highly recommend it. So, check it out for yourself if you haven’t already. If you have, what did you think about Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window?
Let me know in the comment section below.
