Mai Mai Miracle (2009): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2009, Mai Mai Miracle is a drama, adventure and animation film directed by Sunao Katabuchi, running about 94 minutes.

What it’s about. In 1955 in western Japan, nine-year-old Shinko knows she comes from a family that dates back to over a thousand years. This long genealogy and stories about it feed her daydreams: she invents an imaginary friendship with a young girl in the Japan of a thousand years ago. One day, Kiiko, a timid child from Tokyo, is transferred into Shinko's class at school. Struggling to fit in, she finds a friend in Shinko. They set off together on a magical adventure into a story from ancient history.Adapted from the Takagi Nobuko novel Mai Mai Shinko — winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize —, this animated feature film portrays the relationship of two children linked not only by friendship, but also by that power that transcends eras: imagination. And perhaps it might become reality?

Who’s in it. Mai Mai Miracle stars Mayuko Fukuda as Shinko Aoki (voice), Nako Mizusawa as Kiiko Shimazu (voice), Ei Morisako as Nagiko Kiyohara (voice) and Manami Honjo as Nagako Aoki (voice), among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Mai Mai Miracle has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Mai Mai Miracle page.

If you liked it. Fans of Mai Mai Miracle tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.