The Girl from the Other Side (2022)
★★★ — The Girl from the Other Side (2022)
The Girl from the Other Side (2022) is a visually stunning short film that leans heavily into atmosphere and mood over plot or action. Adapted from the acclaimed manga, it unfolds in a haunting, fairy-tale-like world where a mysterious curse separates the “Inside” from the “Outside,” and a masked being cares for a lonely young girl. The hand-drawn animation is breathtaking. Delicate linework, soft watercolour textures, and shadowy forests that feel pulled straight from a storybook. Every frame is composed with care, creating a dreamlike, melancholic tone that lingers long after it ends. The voice acting (I listened in Japanese with subs) is subtle and sincere, especially the gentle, protective timbre of the Outsider and the childlike curiosity of Shiva. Their quiet conversations carry emotional weight, hinting at deeper themes of isolation, fear, and unconditional love. But that’s also where the film may lose some viewers: there’s very little action, no real conflict in the traditional sense, and a pace so deliberate it borders on meditative. For fans of poetic, introspective storytelling, this is a treat. But if you’re looking for narrative drive or momentum, it might feel frustratingly still. It’s less a story you follow and more a mood you step into, beautiful, yes, but slow by design. A gorgeous, emotionally resonant piece of animation that prioritises feeling over forward motion. Worth watching for its artistry alone, but don’t expect thrills, just quiet, lingering beauty.
Rating: ★★★ | Year: 2022 | Watched: 2026-04-13
