The Oscar-Nominated <em>Mirai</em> Is More Than a Moving Tale of Childhood

If you’ve watched the trailer for Mamoru Hosoda’s Academy Award–nominated Mirai, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it looks a little childish. The Japanese film follows Kun-chan, a 4-year-old boy grappling with his jealousy of his new infant sister, Mirai—until, in a fantastical twist, he encounters Mirai’s future teenage self. For the most part, the movie is eye level with the little boy; tensions in the film erupt as tantrums, and magic is accepted without much skepticism or comment. Plot points revolve around the mundane experiences of everyday life with small children, such as picking up toys or getting lost in a train station.

Many critics have commented on the youthful perspective of the film. , Bilge Ebiri wrote that felt “like the dream of a very wise child.” that “s baby-centric premise seems like guaranteed adorability at first glance.” While these observations are accurate, in the background of s tale about childhood unfolds another narrative: that of Kun-chan’s father. By telling his story, reveals itself to be not only about a boy and his sister, but also about a man finding