The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013) is a lyrical, hand-drawn animated adaptation of the classic Japanese folktale "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." Found as a tiny, glowing child inside a bamboo stalk by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, Kaguya quickly grows into an extraordinarily beautiful young woman. Her adoptive parents raise her in the hope of prosperity, and she is brought to Kyoto to be taught the manners of high society. As wealthy suitors — five noblemen and eventually the Emperor himself — vie for her hand, Kaguya resists the demands of status and conformity. Pulled between earthly attachments and a mysterious origin she cannot forget, she must ultimately confront a sorrowful fate. If you watch this film you will experience a poetic, emotionally intense drama rather than a conventional fairy-tale romp. The storytelling is gentle and measured, with long, expressive scenes that emphasize mood and interior life over rapid plot twists. The animation is distinctive: loose, watercolor-like brushstrokes and sketchy lines give the film a fragile, almost hand-painted quality that shifts fluidly between joyful playfulness and aching melancholy. Joe Hisaishi’s music and careful sound design deepen the film’s atmosphere, moving from playful folk-like motifs to hushed, elegiac tones. Emotionally, the film is bittersweet and often heartbreaking. It invites empathy for Kaguya’s restless spirit — her love of nature and freedom, her discomfort with social performance, and the private grief of belonging somewhere else. Themes of innocence, social expectation, desire, loss, and the impermanence of life are explored with subtlety and moral complexity rather than simple lessons. The pace is contemplative and richly textured; viewers who appreciate art-house cinema, hand-crafted animation, and emotionally resonant, character-driven stories will find it profoundly rewarding. Those expecting fast action or a light-hearted fairy tale may find the film slow and mournful at times, but many consider it a stunning, unforgettable cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits.

Actors: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen

Director: Isao Takahata

Runtime: 137 min

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Drama

7.6 /10 89 /100 8.0 /10 8.2 /10