Miss Hokusai review

Miss Hokusai is a Japanese anime movie set around early 1800s in erstwhile Tokyo, called “Edo”. The principle character is O-Ei, daughter of a famous painter and a talented painted herself. 

The movie is very realistic in terms of how everyday life is portrayed, but has a distinct mystical feeling about it. The effect this combination of mystical elements in a completely realistic world (which is so detailed) creates is stunning. I could not believe how someone (the writer) could have such an imagination. 

I did a little bit of research afterwards and found out that it is based on a manga by Hinako Suguira, who was an expert on Japan’s Edo period, and the characters were actual people or historically inspired. The father of the protagonist is Katshushika Hokusai, the great ukiyo-e artist, painter and printmaker (creator of the iconic print the Great Wave off Kanagawa). 

It is the only movie I have seen, which describes just everyday life in another time period. Usually, movies set in another time period have some big event: a historical conflict or a human emotional conflict. And the description is absolutely beautiful. I as a viewer felt I was in the Edo time period with the characters.