I am an adult person who is simply tired, nay exhausted, with all the churned out negativity, post apocalyptic, dark, depressing, soul sucking churn out from the anglosphere.

On a rainy day, I decided to watch this anime in the hope of a little colour, in the hope of a little hope.

Two hours later, having laughed, and cried, and clapped, in other words, having been thoroughly entertained for a change, I knew I had to come here and write a review.

This is just a beautiful movie, a delightful story that stays with you.

Okko's Inn has the purity of spirit, of love, of energy that is so sadly lacking in the Anglosphere these days and I did not realise just how much I was missing this.

Ten stars and THANK YOU to the creators.

Okko survives the car crash that kills her parents. She goes to live with her grandmother, who runs an old-line hot springs inn. The ghost of a young boy persuades Okko to become the "junior innkeeper". Between the flashbacks, the ghosts only she sees, and the mean girl in school, can she find peace?

This animated film by Kitarô Kôsaka is not just Japanese; it is VERY Japanese, with is old-fashioned virtues of service to others, tradition, and to a westerner, exaggerated fear of losing face. Like all good fantasies, it has a strong symbolic message to support the surface plot. Then visual style combines full animation of simple yet effective character design with lush, almost candybox background work.

Ok, I don't really make reviews on movies I love, but I'm making an exception for this one. The story of Okko's Inn will glue you to your screen. The plot of this movie has this sense of calm and excitement. I was amazed on how the twist of the story entered the scene, that I literally clapped my hands momentarily.

I normally know where the story of films I watch take me, but for Okko's Inn I was caught by surprise. I love how the plot took my enthusiasm to watch it higher and higher, then all of a sudden, the great Twist comes in. It's like fireworks everywhere.

I love this film that it tops my list, above Spirited Away.

Lastly, if you have shallow tears, a hankie or a tissue will come in handy.