I just finished watching the film entitled "NiNoKuni" on Netflix. It has been sitting in My List queue for a few days now, and fortunately today, I had the time to finish it. I chose to watch it because of two reasons: 1) the title was vaguely familiar and 2) there is something Studio Ghibli-ish in the artwork. After finishing the movie (of which I super duper love the ending!), I had such strong emotions that I knew I had to write something about it on the blog (so here it is!). Although I admit most of the plot was already cliché, the ending touched something within me, and made me discover something that was parallel to my own belief system.

After watching the film I did some googling, and there I realized why the title was familiar to me -- the story is based on a video game, which I have seen in passing over at Humble Bundle and Steam sites (this was during the time I was searching for games to play, of which I found Little Nightmares). It was funny because I never realized this connection, not until I googled it today. I also had the impression that the artwork resembles that of Studio Ghibli because some of the characters of NiNoKuni resembled some Ghibli characters (ehem Yu ehem Howl). Well guess what, that's because apparently the movie was animated by the same studio. Even the soundtrack was composed by Joe Hisaishi, the same composer that did soundtracks for My Neighbor Totoro and Howl's Moving Castle. So desu ne! However, I realized after watching the film that there's no connection between the two worlds. But that didn't take away the fascination that I have for NiNoKuni. For me, it has it's own charm, something that cuts deep to my personal world.

Why was it relatable to me? That's because the theme of the film struck a chord within my soul, making me realize that I have to have the same resolve as Yu in the film to be strong and to succeed in some of the steps that I am planning to do in the near future. The film showed that same theme that made me love the book The Light Between the Worlds by Laura Weymouth. This film made me realize that I was going along the same thinking process that Yu followed in the film.

Spoilers ahead! If you haven't seen the film, I recommend you to stop reading now. 🤐

Sorry, I can't really discuss the point that I want to make without divulging how the movie ended, so here it goes... I just want to say that I was so happy that Yu did what he did in the end. My heart was aching for Yu to just stay, especially after Princess Astrid hugged him as a farewell gesture before he and Haru jumped to the portal back to their world. I was thinking "Hey Yu, just stay there! Your legs are okay in that world and this woman likes you back You'll have a better life there!". But when he turned around and joined Haru to jump to the portal, my heart just sank. And then the next few seconds of the film made my heart skip a beat.While the frame was focused on Yu's face while they were traveling in between dimensions, I was already screaming at my phone screen (that's where I screened Netflix) for him to just let go of Haru's hand and go back to Evermore world and be with Princess Astrid. So when his facial expression changed and he loosened his grip on Haru's hand and told him "Sorry Haru, I guess this is goodbye" (that's non-verbatim), I was screaming yes yes yes!!! 😭 I was so happy that Yu made that decision. The additional plot twist about Yu's true identity in relation to Haru didn't sway me anymore because I was just so happy for Yu!

I stand by the saying "pursue things that make you happy." At this point in my life, I have an idea on what will make me happy and satisfied. Although I am unsure if I would still feel the same way once I actually achieve that goal, I know now that I really wanted to make it happen. That's the resolve that I needed to be successful (just like in the movie). I know that doing this would mean leaving people that I deeply care for, but I knew I had to do the sacrifice, because I know these same people will also benefit on this decision that I am about to make. I also see the parallelism in the film -- this journey very well feels like I am going to another dimension, a whole new world filled with new people, new environment, and new scenery. And these factors really excites but scares me at the same time. But I know what I needed to do and I am on my way to my first steps to that destination.

I'm ecstatic to have seen this movie at this point in my life. I know now that I have that resolve to achieve this goal and just like in the film, this is my key to achieving my heart's desires. I believe that there's no such thing as coincidence. Universe, this is my acknowledgement -- message received. I'm on it. 😉

P.S. By the way, I also learned that Yu was voiced by Kento Yamazaki. Ahhh the feels!!!  😍

Another P.S., I think I have found my anthem for this goal and for this journey. Really, music comes to you in just the perfect timing.