My Oni Girl (好きでも嫌いなあまのじゃく) is a Japanese anime fantasy film released on Netflix. It is directed by Tomotaka Shibayama, known for A Whisker Away, and the screenplay is written by Yuko Kakihara. Produced by Studio Colorido and Twin Engine, the film has a runtime of about 1 hour 52 minutes.
The voice cast of the film includes Kensho Ono as Hiiragi Yatsuse, Miyu Tomita as Tsumugi, Shintarō Asanuma as Ryūji Takahashi, Aya Yamane as Mio Takahashi, Tomoko Shiota as Shimako Yamashita, Shirō Saitō as Naoya Yamashita, Miou Tanaka as Mikio Yatsuse, Satsuki Yukino as Mikuri Yatsuse, Shōzō Sasaki as Yōichi Tanimoto, Noriko Hidaka as Shion, Satoshi Mikami as Izuru, Hisako Kyōda as Gozen, and Mitsuho Kambe as Kaede Yatsuse.
My Oni Girl tells the story of Hiiragi, a boy who struggles to assert himself in order to get along with others, and Tsumugi, a bold oni (mythical demon) girl who encourages honesty and self-expression. Through their unique friendship, Hiiragi and Tsumugi discover hidden aspects of themselves and unravel the enigmatic circumstances that transform humans into oni.
My Oni Girl Review
Desiring acceptance from his peers and afraid of being disliked, Hiiragi, a first-year high school student living in Japan’s Yamagata prefecture, struggles to assert himself and often finds himself unable to refuse others’ requests. Despite his best efforts to help others, his actions always seem to backfire, leaving him without any true friends.
One summer day, while struggling with yet another favor, he meets Tsumugi, an oni girl searching for her mother in the human world. Tsumugi’s carefree and independent nature is a stark contrast to Hiiragi’s people-pleasing tendencies. Yet his helping nature brings them together. Seeing him willing to do anything for her, Tsumugi indulges him in her world, full of snow gods and mystical things hidden in plain sight.
In the oni world, it’s believed that the person who keeps their feelings bottled up will become an oni themselves. Which mean they will grow a horn on their head, distinguishing them from fellow humans. Hiiragi is one such person, who hides his true feelings and complies with whatever others ask of him. Be it studying anywhere his father tells him to, or ending up with extra work while trying to help his classmates.
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Meanwhile, Tsumugi couldn’t care less about others and is only concerned with her matters. She is looking for her mother who abandoned the family and has been living in the human world, apparently. The only clue she has is a lucky charm from a shrine far away, where Tsumugi’s mother could be residing. Not knowing the ways of the human world, Hiiragi’s willing nature makes Tsumugi take advantage of him. Leading her to the shrine.
But little did she know that they both would become a factor of change in each other. While Hiiragi learns to be more open about his feelings, Tsumugi realizes that a good deed always comes back. Apart from that, there’s a sense of danger in the air. A mysterious masked creature seems to be hunting them down for some reason.
The first thing striking about the film is the vibrant colors that make their world appealing. From beautiful landscapes to character design or props like food, the soft lines and their color palettes draw you in and engage your senses. The colors used in the film evoke a sense of warmth and positivity, creating an inviting and visually stunning world for the audience to immerse themselves in.
The use of color also plays a crucial role in setting the tone and mood of the film. Bright and vibrant colors are used to portray moments of joy and happiness, while darker and more subdued colors are used to evoke a sense of mystery or danger. The contrast between the different color palettes effectively sets the stage for the emotional journey that the characters embark on throughout the film.
On the surface, it looks like a fun adventure story where the two leads will get to know each other better. However, the subject matter is quite emotional to watch. Hiiragi’s struggle with self-expression and his desire for acceptance are themes that many viewers can relate to. Through his interactions with Tsumugi and the challenges they face together, the film delivers a powerful message about the importance of being true to oneself and the impact of suppressing one’s emotions.
The relationship between Hiiragi and Tsumugi is beautifully portrayed, with their contrasting personalities complementing each other perfectly. Their growth throughout the film is heartwarming to witness, and their bond feels genuine and heartfelt.
In addition to the emotional depth of the characters, the film also introduces a sense of mystery and suspense with the masked creature that is pursuing them. This element adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story and keeps viewers engaged as they try to unravel the secrets of the oni world and the connection between the characters.
Overall, My Oni Girl is a captivating and visually stunning film that blends fantasy, emotion, and adventure seamlessly. It tackles complex themes with sensitivity and sincerity, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
Rating: 4/5
My Oni Girl is available to watch on Netflix.
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