Unlocking the Enigmatic Secrets of Lonely Castle in the Mirror: An Unparalleled Review

Lonely Castle in the Mirror, directed by acclaimed anime director Keiichi Hara, is a significant and exceptional anime film. With a runtime of almost two hours, the movie effectively adapts the highly regarded 2017 Japanese novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, delving into the complexities and challenges of adolescence.

The story begins with Kokoro, a disinterested junior high student who no longer wishes to attend school. However, her perspective changes when the mirror in her room transforms into a portal, transporting her to a mysterious and fantastical castle. Alongside seven other students, brought together by the enigmatic "Wolf Queen," reminiscent of the character from Little Red Riding Hood, Kokoro is presented with a task. They must find a key within the castle, capable of granting a single wish to one of them. Should they choose to use the key, all members of the group will forget their shared experiences in the castle. However, they will retain their memories of the extraordinary realm if they refuse to use the key. With the ability to move between the castle and their own reality, Kokoro and her companions develop deep connections over several months. These encounters within the castle become a pivotal point for them to confront their insecurities and difficulties in the real world.

The film's visual style draws inspiration from Hara's previous anime, with a touch of whimsy and fantasy in the design of the castle's interior. It combines 2D animation for character movement and most of the locations, while incorporating CGI for action sequences and wide shots of the castle. Although the CGI is well-executed, there are moments where it becomes noticeable, creating a slight sense of weightlessness for the 2D characters in the partially-CGI environments. However, the strength of the art direction compensates for this, which was led by the talented Takashi Nakamura, who unfortunately passed away during production and is honored with a personal note from the director in the film's credits.

Interestingly, the film takes elements and aesthetics commonly found in the isekai genre and turns them on their head. Instead of using imaginative and otherworldly settings to transport a socially marginalized Japanese protagonist into an escapist fantasy, Lonely Castle employs its setting to expose the challenges faced by the seven students, both individually and collectively. These challenges range from typical coming-of-age issues to darker themes of targeted personal bullying, family tragedies, and more.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror presents itself initially with Little Red Riding Hood motifs and a gently speculative exploration of coming-of-age themes, creating the impression that it belongs alongside innocent films like Mirai by Mamoru Hosoda or Weathering With You by Makoto Shinkai. However, the film delves into darker treatments of other themes, necessitating a level of discretion that may not be initially expected. The fantastical elements should not overshadow the grounded depictions of traumatic situations, making it less suitable for an all-ages audience compared to the family-friendly films of Studio Ghibli.

Keiichi Hara, in the press junket leading up to the film, expressed his hope that Lonely Castle in the Mirror can provide insight into the struggles faced by young people, not only in Japan but also anywhere else. Through its character-driven approach and fantastical yet sensitive exploration of important issues, the film presents a unique and powerful statement within the realm of anime. Like a mirror, it reflects back the realities that need to be seen.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror is in select North American theaters on June 21 and 22, 2023. Tickets and information can be found on GKIDS’ website.

Film: Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Director: Keiichi Hara

Rating: 3/5