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“Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” Film Details

Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 54 Minutes
Release Date (Film Festival – New York International Children’s Film Festival): March 1, 2025
Advisory Film Rating: Not Rated
Genre(s): Comedy, Youth, Non-English (Japanese), Historical
Director(s): Shinnosuke Yakuwa, Yûta Kanbe, Kunio Katô, Setsuka Kawahara
Writer(s): Shinnosuke Yakuwa, Yôsuke Suzuki
Based On Work By: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Distributor: TOHO

Summary

Beginning in 1940, when “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” first begins, Totto, government name Tetsuko is struggling in school. Not because she has a learning disability or anything like that, but simply because the teacher is like most who expects kids barely adjusted to the idea of school, in 1^st grade, to sit, learn, and pay attention. Totto isn’t like that. She needs stimulation, a sense of adventure, and to let her curiosity guide her.

Taking note of this, and because her former teacher begs for her to be transferred, Totto’s mother has her go to Tomoe Academy, which has a Montessori style to it. There, she thrives, makes friends, and the only thing she has to worry about is some of the neighborhood kids jealous of how different her school is. That is until Japan finds itself joining World War II and aligning with the Germans, which seems to upend all Totto knows and the joy her family found.

Cast and Character Descriptions

Totto (Liliana Ôno)

Totto is a rambunctious little girl who wants to be a ticket taker, a spy, but seemingly not work in music like her dad or make clothes like her mom. But, no matter what, she brings a lot of energy and kindness into whatever she does.

Yasuaki (To Be Determined)

Yasuaki is Totto’s best friend who, due to having polio, has a weak arm and a weak leg, which leads him to often decide to read by himself. However, with a friend like Totto, she doesn’t let him believe he can’t do things like climb trees and forces him to live life to the fullest.

Review

Highlight(s)

Yasuaki and Totto’s Friendship [85/100]

Between “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” and “Hola Frida” the depiction of people with Polio has been seen a lot in one weekend – compared to rarely if ever at all previously. But, there is something about hearing about how horrible, often deadly polio can be, and seeing people like Frida Kahlo or Yasuaki who still get to live and have a life. Granted, a life unlike how it was before they had polio, but a life nonetheless.

But, what makes “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” sweet is how Totto coerces Yasuaki to live and play, not in spite of him having polio, but still doing so as if all polio does or means is they have to get more inventive. Like, climbing trees just means a ladder and a little bit of pulling to get him up there. Now, he does he get down I don’t think was shown, but what matters is he got up there.

Also, there is him making Totto happy when she is down, even if he struggles. It just creates multiple beautiful moments that really remind you that kids are so pure and to them, differences are something to ask about, maybe explore, but with them if there is a will there is a way and nothing can stop them.

Recognizing Men Can Be Great With Kids [86/100]

The principal of Tomoe Academy is a man and he is good with kids. In many ways, it is strange to watch and believe, because it isn’t the norm. Yet, you see him listen and understand Totto, create his environment where the kids can thrive, laugh, learn and play, and while it may seem wrong to be shocked, it is also nice to be.

For there are even moments where you may raise an eyebrow only to be shown there was nothing to worry about. The principal, for reasons never dove into, is just someone who understands what misfits of all type need in a school and has found a way to provide it – which honestly is as heartwarming as Totto’s friendship with Yasuaki.

A Different Take On The War Effort [82/100]

What life was like in Japan regarding the years before the atomic bomb was dropped, generally for me, has been from the perspective of more rural areas. This isn’t to say there isn’t any media in the cities, it is just “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” is my first time seeing it and considering this is animation, I appreciate how as much as it is a introduction for me, it can also be for kids.

Thankfully, Totto doesn’t get caught up in the dropping of either bomb, and doesn’t even see it. However, the movie does depict rationing, Japan being set on fire by bombs, and reminds you there are two sides to a story and while Japan was an aggressor, it is the people who suffered far more than those in power.

The Animation [83/100]

From moments that are a tinge creepy, to others which are playful, there is so much to see with “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” and while it isn’t drop jaw amazing, it is geared towards a certain playfulness. One of the things which will especially stand out is the faces Totto makes which are sure to get a giggle from children watching and I’d submit, could make adults laugh too.

Overall

Our Rating (84/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

“Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” makes for a wonderful movie in multiple ways. It provides a history lesson, shows what finding your people and community can do for a person, and the innocence of children in such a way that it makes you wonder how they become adults and lose so much of what made them good people.

Content Information

• Dialog: Nothing Notable
• Violence: Depiction of Bombs Dropping and Buildings Burning
• Sexual Content: Nudity (Mild – Full [Children])
• Miscellaneous: Nothing Notable

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