Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet, magical family adventure is best for older kids.
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Mirai
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say that while the film explores the complex emotions of sibling rivalry and family dynamics through the eyes of a four-year-old boy, it features intense and potentially frightening scenes that may not be suitable for young viewers, leading to mixed perceptions about its appropriateness for children. Many appreciate its emotional depth and artistic animation but caution that it may confuse or unsettle younger audiences, especially due to elements like "demon mommy" and dark imagery intertwined with the storyline.
- emotional depth
- intense scenes
- mixed perceptions
- age-appropriate concerns
- artistic animation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 9 kid reviews
What's the Story?
MIRAI is a Japanese animated drama about a 4-year-old boy named Kun (voiced by Jaden Waldman in the English-dubbed version) who's not thrilled when his mother (Rebecca Hall) and father (John Cho) come home with his baby sister, Mirai. Kun starts to feel increasingly ignored and usurped in his parents' affections and acts out accordingly: yelling, poking his baby sister, crying, and throwing tantrums. Things change when Kun starts to have time-traveling experiences in his garden and meets an older, teen version of his baby sister; a human version of his family dog; a preschool-age version of his mom; and also his WWII-veteran great-grandfather (Daniel Dae Kim). Each experience helps little Kun appreciate his family -- even baby Mirai -- more and even offers him the strength to do things like ride a bike.
Is It Any Good?
The type of animated film parents might enjoy more than kids, this magical sibling adventure is a dreamy, touching look at the importance of family ties and knowing your personal history. Kun is a believably upset new big brother who, however misguidedly, feels replaced in his parents' affections. Director Mamoru Hosoda beautifully captures the emotional turmoil of introducing a newborn to an already established family of three -- from the realistically exhausted (and occasionally bickering) parents to the no-nonsense grandparents and, of course, the skeptical, downright angry older child, who in this case can't control his emotions.
The trippy time-defying moments in Mirai are funny and heartfelt. Even the dog is turned into an older human man who recalls being upset by Kun's birth. A particularly touching sequence has Kun meeting his great-grandfather, a motorcycle-driving mechanic injured in World War II. The older man (who doesn't really know what's going on) teaches Kun about confidence and courage, and little Kun brings that message back into his current life. The dreamy sequences all change Kun for the better, making him a more empathetic son, dog owner, and, finally, big brother.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Mirai compares to other Japanese animated movies. Do you think young viewers are the intended audience? If not, who is?
Are there any role models in the movie? Who are they, and what character strengths do they display?
How does little Kun learn from his mistakes? What changes does he make to his behavior? How is he representative of young preschool-age boys?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 30, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : April 9, 2019
- Cast : John Cho , Rebecca Hall , Daniel Dae Kim
- Director : Mamoru Hosoda
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Japanese Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : GKIDS
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements including some scary images
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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