It is genuinely difficult to take a classic folktale, one that has been told countless times in many different forms/interpretations and turn it into something I never expected the moment I pressed play on this film. To elevate something so deeply rooted in history with such evident love, while simultaneously adding a distinct artistic voice not only in how the story concludes, but also in its genres, its worldbuilding, its themes, and the message it wants to convey, all without losing what made the original tale so timeless, is an impressive achievement.

With its modern transformation into a musical set within a fantastical VR world, Princess Kaguya does not merely discover our world, human emotions, and behavior. Instead, she embarks on an entirely new journey, one that enchants you from the very first moment. The film seamlessly creates an immersive experience that constantly captivates you, thanks to the charm radiating from every single frame.

The love and dedication behind the production are visible everywhere, especially in the outstanding performances of the voice actors, the music (which I fell in love with from Yachiyo’s very first song), the beautiful animation of the VR world, the video games and characters they play, the musical and dance sequences, the comedy, and the emotions conveyed throughout the entire runtime. All of this is brought together by a unique directorial vision that smartly thrives and mesmerizes, whether in the vast VR world or in Iroha’s small, run-down apartment (don’t worry queen, we’re all going through it).

There is a lot of polish in the production, and the characters themselves are incredibly compelling, especially Iroha, who remains consistently relatable and lovable within just a few scenes. As more of her past is unlocked, she truly begins to change over the course of the film, largely due to the influence of the endlessly charming Kaguya.

Kaguya, just like in the original folktale, enchants everyone around her and displays incredible talent in everything she does, though in this version, it has nothing to do with mastering aristocratic etiquette, and everything to do with becoming the number one streamer in the VR world. From the very beginning, she is a child who is endlessly fascinated by learning new things, and she conveys that purity and joy through every action she takes, instantly placing her at the very top of the list of characters that NEED to be protected at all cost.

At this point, I would strongly recommend watching the film if you haven’t already. For the first 100 minutes, the story closely follows the classic narrative with a beautifully modern touch. From there on, however, the script takes a different turn, one that I personally find extremely clever and perfectly fitting for everything we’ve experienced so far. (That’s your spoiler warning, shoo shoo.)

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Just as the film seems ready to fulfill the inevitable fate dictated by the invisible “destiny” of the original folktale, that notion is dismantled in the final half hour. Kaguya does not simply disappear from the story but instead, we continuously witness her everlasting influence on Iroha. Through small glimpses of renewed enthusiasm for life, and by thinking of Kaguya, Iroha realizes that her story cannot end this way. She must chase her happy ending, exactly as Kaguya taught her, and change the fate she may have unknowingly locked herself into by settling for what she once called a “normal ending.”

She is finally able to move on with all her childhood trauma, reconnecting with her family and by finally taking her life into her own hands, she is now able to complete new songs without being held back by her past. She writes one filled with love and sings it until it reaches Kaguya’s own heart, reminding her of the time and beautiful moments they shared, moments that could never be erased by something as simple as a cloak, proving that destiny is not something to be accepted, but something that can be rewritten.

I also found Yachiyo’s reveal particularly beautiful. From the very beginning, you can sense that she has a special connection, especially since her debut song is performed only once, purposefully meant to ignite our heroine’s journey and ultimately reunite her with Kaguya. The reanimation of her avatar into a humanoid form allows her to once again experience what she loved on Earth in the first place: tasting food again, filling her life with joy instead of tedious obligations. Perhaps those initially bland pancakes finally held an invaluable flavor for both of them this time. (In case you missed it, there’s a lovely post-credits scene! ❤️)

I may be getting ahead of myself, but on just the 22nd day of the year, this film already feels like a strong contender for Anime of the Year. It delivers a complete audiovisual experience along with emotional beats that will undoubtedly leave a lasting effect on anyone who watches it. I can already feel that impact myself, as the film has led me to reassess certain things on a personal level and if any piece of media can do that, I truly believe it has achieved the highest possible accomplishment.