Review by Dennis D. McDonald

I just watched My Oni Girl with my 6-year-old granddaughter, and we both loved it, as strange as it is.

The English dubbing is excellent. Normally, I prefer Japanese audio with English subtitles, but my granddaughter only watches in English or Spanish, so we opted for the dub.

I appreciated the pacing—certainly not quite as frenetic as something like Bubble, which we also enjoyed. I think it’s valuable for children to see how different cultures address spirits and spirituality, and My Oni Girl explores this beautifully.

Some of the animation is breathtaking, and the attention to detail in the world-building is remarkable. In one scene with the old woman, for example, you can glimpse what looks like a three-dimensional drawing of the main Hidden Village building over her right shoulder.

I can understand why some viewers find the film confusing. You do need a high tolerance for ambiguity to fully appreciate My Oni Girl. The ability to embrace ambiguity is something that, unfortunately, can fade as people grow older.

Review copyright (c) 2024 by Dennis D. McDonald

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