While Call Me Chihiro can not be counted among Imaizumi’s best, he still delivers an engaging exploration of the subjective struggle to escape loneliness.

A touching and meaningful movie that is well worth watching for its exploration of human connections and the power of forming deep relationships outside of blood ties, as much as a masterclass on how to adapt manga on the big screen.

A slow-paced humanitarian film, showing the values of family life and of having compassion as highly valued traits.

As far as Netflix originals go, one could do a lot worse than this warm-hearted, empathetic, and yes, occasionally uneventful and saccharine slice-of-life drama.