As the title suggests, Netflix’s latest anime production, My Oni Girl, is a magical journey of friendship and self-discovery. This fantasy anime film is centered on an oni (demon) girl named Tsumugi who forges a unique bond with an adolescent boy named Hiiragi, and they both go on an adventure that becomes transformative for them. The all-new anime film hails from Studio Ghibli alum Tomokata Shibayama, who previously directed A Whisker Away.
My Oni Girl was released on Netflix on May 24, 2024, and was also released in theaters across Japan on the same day. The film is a part of a three-film deal between Netflix and Studio Colorido, following Drifting Home in 2022. The film boasts stunning visual arts, similar to what we saw in A Whisker Away, and a heartwarming story of nostalgia, friendship, self-expression, and folk mythology.
Studio Colorido’s projects often feature stories of unexpressed emotions and lost and found friendships. For example, Drifting Home is about two childhood friends who grow apart but eventually rediscover their friendship under unexpected circumstances. Similarly, A Whisker Away is about the protagonist yearning for love and friendship and undergoing a transformation to get close to her love interest.
The official trailer of My Oni Girl reveals an enchanting world where summer meets winter and snow begins to fall on a sparkling, sunny morning. The clip shows Tsumugi asking Hiiragi for his help on her quest to find her mother in the human world. Hiiragi readily agrees because he yearns for friendship and never says no to anyone, fearing that he may be disliked and left alone. As they set out on their journey, Hiiragi learns more about himself and his hidden emotions, while also developing a beautiful relationship with his new-found friend from another world.
A Still From My Oni Girl (Via IMDB)
The trailer also showcases Shibayama’s unique vision of combining childhood nostalgia into a mythical premise through the brilliant artwork and stunning visuals. The theme song, “Truth in Lies”, is performed by the mysterious rock band Zutomayo.
Netflix’s official plot for My Oni Girl reads: “Yearning to get along with others and not be disliked, first-year high school student Hiiragi finds himself unable to say no whenever someone requests something of him. One summer day, while unsuccessfully carrying out yet another request, he encounters an oni girl named Tsumugi, who has come to the human world to search for her mother. She does whatever she pleases and is the complete opposite of Hiiragi. Studio Colorido presents this fantasy tale of youth that unfolds over one wintery summer.”
My Oni Girl features a packed ensemble of Japanese voice actors, including Kensho Ono as Hiiragi and Miyu Tomita as Tsumugi. The rest of the supporting cast features voice actors who have previously worked in globally popular anime films and television series.
My Oni Girl is directed by Tomokata Shibayama for Netflix. The animation artist-turned-filmmaker marked his directorial debut in 2020 with A Whisker Away. The screenplay is penned by Yuko Kakihara, and the character design is led by Masafumi Yokota. The youth fantasy film is produced by Studio Colorido (in collaboration with Twin Engine) and features music composed by Mina Kubota. The film’s theme song “Truth in Lies” is performed by the secretive Japanese rock band Zutomayo.
