Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi

In "Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi," Tsuneo Suzukawa, a university student with a deep passion for diving and marine biology, is diligently working multiple part-time jobs to save money for his dream of studying abroad. However, a chance encounter one fateful night alters the course of his plans.

He meets Kumiko, a young woman who prefers to be called "Josee," and she appears brusque and unapproachable at first. Despite her initial demeanor, Tsuneo accepts a job offer from Josee's grandmother to become her caretaker. He finds this work not only financially beneficial but also an opportunity to support his academic aspirations.

As time passes, Tsuneo contends with Josee's demanding nature, contemplating quitting. However, he discovers Josee's dreams of experiencing the world beyond her wheelchair-bound existence. This revelation prompts Tsuneo to change his mind and embark on a journey with Josee to help her explore the world and break free from her physical constraints. Together, the two main characters of "Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi" discover that their shared qualities might be the key to achieving their individual dreams.

Director Tamura intricately weaves together moments of tender vulnerability and heartwarming camaraderie to beautifully capture the emotional highs and lows of Tsuneo and Josee's voyage of self-discovery. The animation, produced by Bones Studio, infuses every scene with a blend of ethereal beauty and emotional depth that boosts the movie's heartfelt narrative without delivering overstating emotions, allowing us to experience and empathize better with the characters' journey.

Release: 2020

MyAnimeList: 8,4/10