The 2011 anime movie (with English dialogue) compares well to other anime from the likes of Ghibli, where in a real-world setting a young girl comes to terms with problems in her life. In this case, she has lost her father, leaving things unsaid. Resolution comes by way of a trio of awkward and poorly house-broken traditional Japanese goblins. The backgrounds are as good as any of Ghibli's, representing real locations. The animation of the characters is natural and convincing, and (goblins aside) they experience familiar situations. Deserves a place alongside “Totoro”, “Whisper of the Heart” or “Only Yesterday”.
