Touko no Sekai
2022 / 71m - Japan
Fantasy, Mystery
3.5*/5.0*
Mystic Shrine Maiden poster

Plot: Toko lives in a small mountain village, where she works as a shrine maiden. She lives a happy life, and the villagers love her presence. When Toko hears the yearly festival is cancelled, she is thoroughly disappointed. It's the first time she would've been able to follow in her mother's footsteps, and she'll do anything to save the festival.

Watches

July 05, 2025

3.5*/5.0*

A cute little fantasy film. The tone is bright and upbeat, the performances are fun and quirky, and the setting is lovely. There are some unnecessary musical intermezzos, but they are short and quickly forgotten. The second half is a dash more dramatic, but it never gets too sullen or depressive.

The presentation is also pleasant. Bright and lively colors, solid camera work, and an easygoing score help to set the mood. The film is short and doesn't overstay its welcome, though the ending could've been a bit more concise. This won't be a future classic, but if you're looking for light filler, it's a great contender.