"Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" is an anime adaptation that defies expectations by throwing a Japanese folk tale into a trippy virtual reality world. The result is a high-energy, techno-infused animation that's more TikTok than traditional Studio Ghibli.
The story centers around 17-year-old Iroha, a high school student who finds a baby girl named Kaguya inside a glowing lamppost instead of the bamboo stalk from the original tale. Iroha is an ordinary kid with a secret passion for music and idol Yachiyo in the virtual reality world of Tsukuyomi. When Iroha takes Kaguya home, she's thrust into a whirlwind of chaos as the baby grows at an alarming rate.
Within days, Kaguya transforms from a crawling toddler to a pre-teen beauty who's on the run from the moon. The two embark on a series of hyperactive adventures in Tsukuyomi, with Iroha collaborating with Kaguya on lackluster songs that fail to impress their idol Yachiyo.
"Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" is an anime that's more suited to teenagers than those over 15 years old. Its dizzying plot and high-energy visuals may leave adults feeling a bit disoriented. The animation itself is a far cry from Studio Ghibli's traditional, hand-painted style, instead embracing a bright, digital aesthetic. The addition of emojis, stickers, and other virtual elements adds to the show's frenetic pace.
Overall, "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" is an anime that's equal parts thrilling and bewildering. Its unique blend of Japanese folklore and virtual reality pop culture may appeal to fans of the genre, but its fast-paced narrative and bright visuals may leave others feeling a bit lost in space.
The story centers around 17-year-old Iroha, a high school student who finds a baby girl named Kaguya inside a glowing lamppost instead of the bamboo stalk from the original tale. Iroha is an ordinary kid with a secret passion for music and idol Yachiyo in the virtual reality world of Tsukuyomi. When Iroha takes Kaguya home, she's thrust into a whirlwind of chaos as the baby grows at an alarming rate.
Within days, Kaguya transforms from a crawling toddler to a pre-teen beauty who's on the run from the moon. The two embark on a series of hyperactive adventures in Tsukuyomi, with Iroha collaborating with Kaguya on lackluster songs that fail to impress their idol Yachiyo.
"Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" is an anime that's more suited to teenagers than those over 15 years old. Its dizzying plot and high-energy visuals may leave adults feeling a bit disoriented. The animation itself is a far cry from Studio Ghibli's traditional, hand-painted style, instead embracing a bright, digital aesthetic. The addition of emojis, stickers, and other virtual elements adds to the show's frenetic pace.
Overall, "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!" is an anime that's equal parts thrilling and bewildering. Its unique blend of Japanese folklore and virtual reality pop culture may appeal to fans of the genre, but its fast-paced narrative and bright visuals may leave others feeling a bit lost in space.