Tamako Love Story (たまこラブストーリー)

(Anime/Movie 2014)

Art By: Yukiko Horiguchi

Story By: Mutsuki Ichinose

My friend recommended me to watch the anime, Tamako Market  that this film is based on, but I haven’t gotten to it. I decided to watch the film before watching the series because I enjoy watching romance themed manga, anime, and etc. (So basically, I am coming in with no previous background on the story or characters.)

Tamako Love Story is based on the anime, Tamako Market. The movie focuses on the childhood friendship between Tamako Kitashirakawa and Mochizou Ooji. Both Tamako’s and Mochizou’s family run mochi shops in their neighborhood district, which are always in competition with each other for customers. Although their dads are at war with each other in regards to business, Tamako and Mochizou have a close friendship. However, it is later revealed that Mochizou is in love with Tamako. In the movie, Mochizou struggles to tell his feelings and plans to go to college in Tokyo to Tamako. As for Tamako, she is preparing for a festival with her baton club, and also inventing new mochi recipes.

I admit this film is cute and adorable because we have two very shy main leads trying to confess their love for each other. There are also some very subtle, humorous scenes. However, the film lacked depth or any real storyline. Most of the time, you just see scenes of the characters’ daily lives.

I enjoyed the scenes involving Tamako and Mochizou’s tin can telephone. It is their special way to communicate with each other. One could say that it is a symbol of their friendship, and also the link or bond that ties the two characters together.

After finishing this movie, I think I will watch the series now.

3.8/5