Kikuko (Cocomi) is a young teen who lives a simple life in a rural seaside town in the north of Japan. Her life has been turbulent: Her mother Nikuko (Shinobu Ôtake) has led a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, drifting from job to job, debt to debt, and man to man. One of these failed romances led the mother and daughter to the town where they have made a life. They live in a boat docked just below Sassan’s (Ikuji Nakamura) bar and restaurant where Nikuko works.
Fat and a lover of puns, Nikuko is lovingly referred to as ‘the meaty lady’ in Kikuko’s internal monologue as Nikuko is one character away from the Japanese word for meat (niku). The young girl is marching steadily toward adulthood and realizes she is nothing like her mother neither in looks nor in attitude. Money worries, social problems with friends at school, and other coming-of-age issues are deeply explored in this touching slice-of-life comedy-drama.
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is like a modern and less magical My Neighbor Totoro for younger teens. Though there are no journeys into magical lands or zany creatures, Kikuko often finds herself immersed in the everyday magic of her town and day-to-day life: The birds, bugs, and lizards all have something to say and events or accidents which would be simple to others are seen with beautiful grace and choreography through Kikuko’s eyes. There are some small issues that may give some parents pause: There is on-screen drunkenness alongside occasional alcohol and tobacco usage, and there are many disrespectful comments about Nikuko’s weight—Nikuko’s own self-love and positivity may balance these moments out for some viewers, however.
If your children’s section is missing an animated drama with high appeal for tweens and young teens, Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is exactly what you are looking for. While there is an obvious appeal for girls in this story centered around a young girl and her mother, the story, the comedy, and the delightful animation will also appeal to many boys. Adults, too, will want to see this movie as it is an outstanding drama with some fantastic twists. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko would fit beautifully both in all-ages anime and children’s animated drama sections.
What type of film series could this film be used in?
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko would be an excellent addition to any series about coming of age, animated family dramas, or stories about women.