``A Whisker Away'' A true ``life-size'' animation drawn with a child's heart

A kind world unified from the “perspective” of junior high school students

However, at the same time, what I would like to note about this work is that it was made entirely with "good intentions." This leads to the "perspective" mentioned earlier.

What I mean by this is that even though there are serious developments in Muge, such as his parents' divorce and remarriage, and Hinode's pottery craftsman grandfather going out of business (his father is absent?), the overall story is heavy and painful. That means almost none. Even though adults are shown fighting, it still exists as something humorous. Why? This is because ``A Whisker Away'' is written entirely from the perspective of a boy or girl.

This "perspective" is emphasized by Muge becoming a cat. As the cat's perspective and the human's perspective are alternately drawn, the outline of Hinode changes, and the way Muge perceives her surroundings also changes. Hinode seen through the eyes of a cat is a kind-hearted and honest person, while Hinode seen through the eyes of a human is the type who builds walls around himself. Visually, the change in perspective is key, but it is also directly connected to the structure of the story.

“A Whisker Away” (c) 2020 “A Whisker Away” Production Committee

It means that it is unified from a junior high school student's perspective. Smartphones will appear, but the internet and SNS will not. The only thing that shows clear malice is the email that Muge's mother sends to her husband's new partner. We get a fleeting glimpse of the distorted and turbulent world of adults, but Muge isn't there.

This is also noticeable in the way the ``enemy'' is depicted, and in the scene of a confrontation with the mask seller, he is not portrayed as a true villain, but as a somewhat charming presence standing in front of the two. In terms of excitement, the story progresses in a relaxed manner, but this ``quietness'' is quite useful in indicating the tone of the work. The loose plans and motives of the enemy, which an adult would want to poke into, no longer feel strange when considered from a middle school student's perspective. This work is ``wholesome'' no matter how you look at it.

A story for sensitive junior high school students that will reach them.