Chuuzumou

Alternate Titles: A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail

Original Japanese Release Date: 2010

Episode Length/Run-time: 13 Minutes

Summary:

The mice are out on the town and it’s time for a sumo match to determine the men among mice!  The local elderly couple enjoys spending their nights watching the mouse sumo matches.  So much so in fact that they want to help out the local team!

Review:

There are a total of 5 Studio Ghibli museum films that can be seen during various times of the year, for a full schedule of showings CLICK HERE.

This is a charming anime that I had the pleasure of seeing while I was visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum in Japan.  It’s only a 13 minute animated movie but it has all the charms of a full length Miyazaki film.  It’s definately a movie intended for children, as most of the things in the museum are, but this movie will appeal to all audiences.  I find it just amazing however that even in a 13 minute short film that is merely intended for a museum, you see Miyazaki quality all through it.  Trademark excellent animation and storytelling shines throughout. I also found it amazing how well relatable this elderly couple in this movie is.  They are a very cute pair that pass their time in peace.  The movie also has VERY limited Japanese, so even the most novice Japanese speaker or even if you just know “arigatou”, you will be able to follow the story.

If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Japan and see the Ghibli Museum, I hope for your sake that they are showing this film because it is a very memorable and adorable piece. Just remember to get your museum tickets from a travel agency before you leave for Japan because foreigners cannot but the tickets at the actual museum.

[starrater]