We appreciate the art of storytelling through animation. Hands-down, my fave cartoons are the ones that educate and entertain! While I’m not sure how I’d react to owning Martha, the “speaking” dog and wordsmith wizard, I’m certain Ananda would hire Doc McStuffins as her “toy” physician. Both animated shows are jam-packed with tidbits of life lessons. You’ll also find oodles of adventures and sage advice in Studio Ghibli’s Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter.
Coming to Amazon Prime on January 27, Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter is a 26-part Japanese animated adventure series based on Astrid Lindgren’s novel of the same name. Much like Astrid’s previous best-seller, Pippi Longstocking, you’ll find a quaint coming-of-age story. Set in early Midieval Scandinavia, Ronja is a fearless adolescent bent on experiencing wild-haired adventures. A love-struck youth named Birk is Ronja’s “Mr. Right,” as well as her BFF and next-door neighbor.
Halt! The feud between Ronia’s dad, Mattis, and Birk’s father, Borka, threatens to end this destined romance. On more than once occasion, a face-off occurs between Mattis, the leading village robber, and Borka his bitter rival. Danger is ever-present with soaring harpies, lurking above the clouds. These evil feathered foes from the underworld speak and have humanly features mirroring that of women.
Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter organically unfolds like classic Japanese anime – thanks to director Goro Miyazaki, son of famed animation director, Hiyao Miyasaki (Spirited Away). Thrilling, relevant yet timeless themes of courage, honor, humility, loyalty and respect abound. Instead of CGI, mesmerizing scenes are brilliantly set in Cel animation that’s orchestrated with stirring ballads. Vocalist, Lola Moxom’s lyrics lightly float over the adventure’s theme song, “The Call of Spring,” which is backed by Musa Hiroko’s haunting tracks. Although Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter takes more than 200 years ago, Ronja experiences similar situations as today’s youth: She too, lives in a seemingly-sheltered household with an overly-zealous father, who continuously attempts to persuade her future circumstance. I recommend this adventure series for ages 8 and older.
Available on Amazon Prime Jan. 27, 2017
