Ni no Kuni (2019) – Movie Review

Ni no Kuni (2019) – Movie Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

We recently sat down and watched Ni no Kuni (2019), the anime film based on the beloved video game series from Level-5. Interestingly, the reason we decided to give this movie a shot was because I had just bought Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch. That curiosity led us here — and I’m glad it did.

First Impressions

It’s been a long time since I’ve really sat down and watched anime as an adult. Growing up, I was into Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and of course Pokémon, so I was expecting the action to hit hard right from the start. Ni no Kuni takes a slower, more story-driven approach. While the action sequences do feel a little delayed, once the story finds its rhythm, the payoff is worth it.

The Story

The film follows two ordinary high school students, Yu and Haru, who are suddenly transported from our world into the magical realm of Ni no Kuni after a near-tragic event. In this parallel universe, they encounter a princess who looks eerily similar to their friend back home. As they struggle with loyalty, love, and destiny, their choices will determine the fate of both worlds.

It’s a story packed with fantasy, friendship, and sacrifice — exactly the kind of emotional depth that makes anime so special. There’s even a twist that keeps the narrative fresh and memorable.

Performances & Animation

The Japanese voice cast features:

Kento Yamazaki as Yu

Mackenyu Arata as Haru

Mei Nagano as Kotona / Princess Astrid

The animation, handled by OLM (the same studio behind the Pokémon anime), is vibrant and colorful, staying true to the series’ Studio Ghibli-inspired look. The visuals pull you into the magical world while balancing the grounded, emotional moments back in reality.

What We Thought

For me, this movie sparked a new interest in anime. The slower action didn’t ruin it — instead, it allowed the story and characters to breathe. It’s different from the fast-paced battle-heavy anime I grew up on, but that’s not a bad thing.

My rating: 4/5 stars.
It’s a film I’d recommend to anyone curious about anime movies, especially if you’ve played or are interested in the Ni no Kuni games.

From my wife’s perspective:

> “It had a nice twist, the action was slower than I expected, but overall it was a really good movie.”

Where to Watch

As of now, Ni no Kuni (2019) is available to stream on Netflix.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of the games, love anime fantasy adventures, or just want to dip your toes into the anime movie scene, Ni no Kuni is a solid place to start. It blends heartfelt storytelling with magical visuals and might just leave you wanting more from the world of anime — like it did for me.

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