Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2011

Some films have just the right balance of over-the-top silliness, colorful visuals, traditional Japanese folk culture and unique references. Tofu Kozo is one. Based on the Natsuhiko Kyogoku’s novel, the film is a fantastical adventure into the spirit (and human) world of Edo-period Japan with a cuter-than-cute protagonist. Tofu Kozo (Kyoko Fukuda) is a tiny ghost who carries tofu on a tray, wears a traditional wooden minstrel hat, and is far too adorable to scare any humans. Reprimanded for this deficiency by his scary, powerful father (Ken Matsudaira), the small spirit also forms the butt of jokes from his peers. Depressed, he takes off on a journey to better his lot with his even tinier pal, a daruma (Tetsuya Takeda). Somewhat reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s brilliant Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away), the film mixes images from Japanese folk tales, popular culture and the imagination. The release will offer a 3D version too, so choose your preferred intensity. Good fun. (86 min)