Based on the bestselling game series and directed by Studio Ghibli’s Yoshiyuki Momose, Ni No Kuni the film seems like a project full of promise and potential. While there are a number of effective and enjoyable elements to the film adaptation, overall it lacks polish and a concise structure in its presentation. This is a shame because the original games that the film is based on are brilliant JRPG’s with a successful combination of world building, characters, well thought out gameplay mechanics and stunning artwork.
Instead of following either characters from the two games, Ni No Kuni the film introduces three new characters to the universe; Kotona, Haru and Yuu. When Kotona is gravely injured in a knife attack, Haru and Yuu are transported from Modern day Tokyo to the fantastical world of Ni No Kuni. They soon learn there is a connection between Princess Asha and Kotona back home and set out on a quest to save their friend.
I will start by outlining the positives of Ni No Kuni because although it doesn’t entirely work as a film, there are some aspects that are very well done. The first is the influence of Studio Ghibli. This is mainly showcased through the eye catching animation design and emotionally resonant soundtrack. Instead of opting for the new more rounded 3D animation style used in programmes such as Dragon Prince, Ni No Kuni is slightly odd school in its design. It has a hand drawn approach that is very reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and it definitely works in the film’s favour. It feels slightly nostalgic while beautifully bringing to life the colorful and vibrant world of Ni No Kuni.
Unfortunately this does falter somewhat towards the end of the film when it becomes rather heavily reliant on CGI for the final battle. Despite being over twenty years old the fight sequences still hold up in Princess Mononoke. In Ni No Kuni however they look bland and lack any sort of substance or weight. It leaves the whole sequence feeling very airy and detached, lacking the necessary impact and tension required for a big battle.
The soundtrack on the other hand is strong throughout and carries the emotional gravitas of the characters and narrative. This was a prominent feature of the games and it is nice to see it well replicated in the film. This is crucially important as one of the best aspects of the film is the character of Yuu. Including a character with a disability is good to see, particularly as it hasn’t been done much in anime before. Certain sections such as when Yuu is unable to go up the steps to a sweet shop with his friends is impacting and leaves a lasting impression. It is also hugely moving when he learns he is able to walk in the world of Ni No Kuni. Most effective of all is how Yuu never moans or laments his disability but rather just gets on with it. His strength of character is both endearing and engaging to watch.
The problems start to arise in regards to the overall tone of the film. Although I only played a portion of the first game, I spent many hours watching other people play it. What really impressed me about the games (the first in particular) was how powerful and moving the story was. It deals with some heavy themes such as loss but there are also some great moments of humour and levity. The games are utterly charming and there is something extremely comforting about them, from the vibrant visual design to the larger than life characters. The film on the other hand doesn’t quite replicate the magic the original games created.
There are moments when it delivers the necessary emotional impact, especially in regards to Yuu and his character arc. But on a number of occasions this gets overlooked in place of world design and the political landscape of the kingdom. While interesting in regards to the Ni No Kuni lore it doesn’t feel appropriately balanced with the core emotional message. The first game had a vast world to explore, interesting characters to meet and various political storylines but at its core it was a videogame about a boy losing his mother. The film doesn’t achieve this effective blending and comes off feeling messy and confused.
Some of the material is also strangely mature. The games are kid friendly (admittedly slightly older kids) and although many adults play the series as well, it is definitely a fairly tame franchise. So it is downright bizarre that the film seems to be appealing to an older demographic. There isn’t any bad language or graphic violence but there are two scenes that seem oddly out of place. The first is when Yuu and Haru are in a bar and there is a scantily dressed character pole dancing in front of them. Soon afterwards one of the patrons asks Yuu if the girl he is looking for has a nice bottom.
The inclusions don’t serve any purpose and seem inappropriate in the world of Ni No Kuni. The second scene involves Yuu ogling Princess Asha dressed in a skimpy bathing suit in the woods. It all feels a bit seedy and pervy. While it is true that the games have a 12 rating there isn’t anything that bad apart from some very mild bad language. Bearing this in mind it is an odd decision that the Netflix adaptation has a 15 certificate. The scenes feel superfluous anyway and will surely only alienate a possible audience of younger watchers for whom it isn’t age appropriate.
Although Ni No Kuni has a stunning visual design and an immensely moving soundtrack, it fails to entirely capture the essence and tone of the original games. Yuu’s character arc is by far the stand out feature of the film and there are some entertaining side characters and creatures. However the film seems unsure of what it wants to do. It is tonally all over the place and struggles to balance the various story threads and ideas.
Ni No Kuni isn’t the worst videogame adaptation out there but fans of the series might be disappointed by the film’s approach and its uneven tone.
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