The Magic Ballad (1982): cast, story & where to watch
1982 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1982, The Magic Ballad is an animation film directed by Tadanari Okamoto, running about 26 minutes.
What it’s about. The 25 minute film tells the tale of an ailing elderly woman named Itako who encounters a fox named Okon. The story opens with Itako lying bedridden, as she has for a long time. Okon enters her home and Itako tells the fox that he is welcome to take anything that he wants, for she has no use for anything anymore. Okon is delighted and in order to return the favour (the act of ongaeshi), Okon performs a magic jyōruri (a ballad with shamisen accompaniment) that heals Itako so that she is fit enough to walk again. Everyone is surprised by Itako's sudden recovery. She then hears of a hunter who has been badly injured and is near death. Itako hides Okon in the back of her shirt and has the fox sing the song while she plays shamisen in order to heal the man. This act of kindness is repeated for others until Itako's good fortune leads some to be suspicious of her.
Who’s in it. The Magic Ballad stars Teruko Nagaoka and Tetsuo Goto.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Magic Ballad has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Magic Ballad page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Magic Ballad tend to enjoy Spirited Away, Your Name., Grave of the Fireflies and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Magic Ballad (1982)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Magic Ballad change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Magic Ballad worth watching?
- The Magic Ballad holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy animation. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Magic Ballad?
- The Magic Ballad stars Teruko Nagaoka and Tetsuo Goto.
- When was The Magic Ballad released?
- The Magic Ballad was released in 1982, with a runtime of about 26 minutes.