“I also cry a lot at school. But Ms. Ushizawa says that crying and laughing a lot shows that we're alive.”
When I was a child, there was a young man in my primary class at church who had cerebral palsy. I never sat next to him, I never talked to him or his family, but he was always there at the end of the front row in his wheelchair, smiling and attempting to sing along. I remember the day the teachers announced proudly he had gone on his first date (as he was sixteen at the time), and he tried to tell us through his
...
smile how it went. But I at the time didn't appreciate what his presence meant to us, as I alongside a few other children didn't have too many nice thoughts about him. He was the only other person I knew with a disability until I was ten when my brother at the age of three suffered a brain injury, and then a couple of years later, my other younger brother (just before the youngest was born) was diagnosed with autism.
Society is not kind to those with disabilities—physical, mental, or a combination of both. It's better now than it was ten/twenty years ago, and sure as hell better than a century ago, but there's still a long ways to go as long as selfishness and hard hearts exist. Yes, it IS difficult to take care of those who need help 24/7, but that's an obstacle that can easily overshadow them who are still people, but trapped in a body that's barely functioning as-is. Learning this as children makes it easier to love and care for the unfortunate who continue to smile every day despite their handicap.
“My Sister Momoko” is a great example of what it means to love and smile, as told through the eyes of nine-year-old Riki whose twin sister, the titular Momoko, suffers from an unnamed disability that's rendered her physically and mentally underdeveloped. Despite the hardships he and his family go through every day, her smiles and innocent countenance bring just as much happiness to them. They are more blessed than others who go through similar ordeals as revealed in the circle of mothers with their own more-severely disabled children, and it's Riki who learns this as much as his parents.
It's not just Riki, it's also his peers who learn to care and even love Momoko when she graces their company with her smiles and encouragement to her big brother. The one who goes through more development is Ryuuji, whose strict father demands he study long and hard to become the best of the best, as “only the strong come out on top in today's world”. Hesitant as he is, he's the one who's the most cold toward Momoko joining the class though he takes it out mostly on Riki whose own struggles causes him to waver in his love toward his sister.
It's almost hard to believe this was animated in 2003, as the style is reminiscent of the 90s (well, maybe the 80s as it made me think of “Barefoot Gen”, honestly), and is a little cheap-looking to boot. There's some off-model moments here in there (mostly in the face), but I have to give them praise for how Momoko is portrayed. It's rare to see a physically-disabled character in animation, and her frail physique and the way she supports her head on a shoulder is unique in that aspect. So many things could've gone wrong in animating her and keeping her consistent, but she works well with her environment, limitations and all. She also stands out in that she's the only special needs child who is able to walk around and even talk, which also means she gets the most attention—justified, as she's the main character, and the other disabled children have their needed screentime whenever we see her school or them on a field trip.
When it comes to voice-acting, again, Momoko stands out the most, and Kurumi Mamiya did a wonderful job. I imagine recording this movie was emotionally draining for many people involved, to be on point with emotions where appropriate must have been some form of catharsis. I'm no voice actor in the slightest, so I can only guess what goes on in those sound booths for projects like this and the amount of time and numerous takes needed to get it just right. I secretly wish this had gotten a dub somehow, but who knows if that dub would've hit all the right notes in a movie that can't afford slip ups that would risk ruining the mood. I want to be optimistic in that whoever would've dubbed it would've given their all much like the original dub, but alas, it's just a pipe dream at this point. Given its obscurity and age, I doubt anyone will pick this up at this point despite its relevance. At the very least, the English fansub did a great job, and I thank them for bringing this to light at long last.
This little film was hard to watch sometimes as it brought back a lot of bittersweet memories, and my youngest brother (who's more severely-autistic than the other two) was constantly on my mind watching Momoko. I still think about that young man and wonder where he is today, if he's still alive, or if his work is done and he's finally passed on. I also still think about the other children I've met in my lifetime from middle school-on who had disabilities, and with some of them, I regret not being kind enough to become friends with them. My heart goes out to those families who struggle to raise their children in a world that looks down on them, who deep down wants to be rid of the burden, but love keeps them going. It may never get better on an outward appearance, but it's better to learn and grow to be caring and nurturing toward these poor, yet happy souls than not at all. Personal experience made sure of that.
It's been slowly picking up, but until the day comes when a children's show/movie is able to portray disabilities without being ham-fisted, prejudiced, biased, or anything that could be harmful or just "passable", "My Sister Momoko" will be that diamond in the rough that doesn't try to fix the world all at once as it knows its limits, but is still positive in its message. The experience is different for each person, so if it doesn't affect you on a personal level or make you tear up, it's fine since it's meant to raise awareness, but hopefully on a positive level than negative.
Alternative Titles
Japanese: もも子、かえるの歌がきこえるよ。
More titlesInformation
Type:
Movie
Episodes:
1
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Jul 23, 2003
Producers:
None found, add some
Licensors:
None found, add some
Studios:
Magic Bus
Source:
Book
Theme:
School
Duration:
1 hr. 19 min.
Rating:
G - All Ages
Statistics
Ranked:
#19062
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#8426
Members:
5,100
Favorites:
23
Available AtResources | Reviews
Filtered Results: 7 / 7
Sort
Your Feelings Categories Mar 20, 2016
“I also cry a lot at school. But Ms. Ushizawa says that crying and laughing a lot shows that we're alive.”
When I was a child, there was a young man in my primary class at church who had cerebral palsy. I never sat next to him, I never talked to him or his family, but he was always there at the end of the front row in his wheelchair, smiling and attempting to sing along. I remember the day the teachers announced proudly he had gone on his first date (as he was sixteen at the time), and he tried to tell us through his ... Nov 20, 2015
Children’s movies almost always have this way of getting into someone’s heart, especially when the main theme is serious from the start and this particular one did not fall short to the expectations. It is a simple slice-of-life story with no real plot other than their everyday life, but so motivating at the same time.
The concept itself is quite dramatic; twins that were born early resulting in one of them getting the short end of the stick. The story is character-centered, revolving around what is important in life and how they react to differences. From little walks to the park to hospital visits to talking ... Jul 6, 2012
So yeah, after finding about this anime movie's existence a few months ago, along with Happy Birthday: Inochi Kagayaku Toki, I decided to set out and find them! The first movie I managed to find without much problems, even though the footage had Russian subs and REALLY BAD sound quality, but it was better than nothing! Not by a long shot! But Momoko? That was MUCH harder to find, even though it was made in...what? 2003? I swear, these movies are more underrated than Dog of Flanders: My Patrasche! Well, after lots of hard searching, I finally found a RAW video of the movie My
...
Apr 25, 2016
Youth, simultaneously innocent and cruel, but endlessly perseverent. This is the story of twins, born two months prematurely: Riki and Momoko, both named for the blossoming plum tree's perseverence in winter by their father, who wa inspired by the sight of it in bloom.
Despite a slow frame-rate and some sub-standard voice acting, this is a movie will surely move those who have suffered for being different, felt embarrassed (and later regretted feeling that way) by a relative who is not what society considers "normal," and for those who remember how difficult childhood can often be. The children are nine, they're still easily influenced, as shown ... Jan 1, 2020
My Sister Momoko is a movie that's worth your time. It's a movie that has lessons to teach and a story to tell, and it achieves this very well with what it has. A good watch for all ages, it may help change the way that we treat people who are different from us.
While the art is mediocre, the characters and heart that this movie has will distract you from that soon. It really gives you insight into the difficulties the characters face surrounding Momoko's disability, including her parents, brother, classmates, and most importantly, Momoko herself. I enjoyed the focus on the disabled characters, ... Jan 25, 2018
Oh this thing still pierce me when i remember ending which overwhelmed with feels... Even strongest wall can sometimes break... - Midosouji
Story: It's about twins Momoko and Riki. Riki is few minutes older, booth were born premature but Momoko had to suffer a little bit and she is light hendiceped. Brother starts to strugle when Momoko came to his school cause he was thinking what would anyone say. Surprise mfka everyone starts to like Momoko except one guy Ryuji which is such a pain in the ... Even if you probably know what will happen, this show manages still to pierce you through the hearth ... Apr 15, 2022
This is the first review I am planning on posting here. This is because I just can't help but to write one for this movie. I do not think that the art of this anime is very good, especially in comparison to other anime that came out during this time period. But I do believe it adds a kind of element to it, something that differentiates it from the rest. I know it is uncharacteristic to watch old anime that is no longer the latest, but it is good to go back and look at this art style every once in awhile.
The story itself ... |