Okko's Inn

Okko's Inn, released in 2018, was produced by the acclaimed studio Madhouse and directed by Kitaro Kosaka, a longtime collaborator of Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli. The film is an adaptation of a popular series of children's novels by Hiroko Reijo and Asami Eii. It was created to translate the heartfelt, supernatural journey of a young girl named Oriko Seki—nicknamed Okko—who begins a new life as a trainee at her grandmother's traditional hot spring inn following the tragic loss of her parents.

The film's visual design emphasizes the warmth of traditional Japanese hospitality and the vibrant, ghostly companions Okko encounters. Kosaka sought to capture a delicate balance between the grieving process and the joys of growth, aiming for an aesthetic that felt both grounded in reality and whimsical. Upon its release, the film was well-regarded by critics for its empathetic storytelling and high animation standards, ultimately receiving a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Japan Academy Film Prize.