In a backwater seaside town where everyone knows everyone, there lives Lady Nikuko and her daughter (Kikuko), who looks nothing like her mother. Gyokou no Nikuko-chan takes clear inspiration from the Western premises of an impulsive middle-aged woman being swayed by romantic attention, yet her carefree and kind demeanor makes all the difference, particularly for Kikuko. It plays out like an ecological fable; the relationships of people versus open-minded acceptance. Nikuko is a large woman with imperfections that stick out like a sore thumb, but her eccentric nature doesn't detract from the positive mother-daughter relationship on display. The film is inherently lighthearted, loosely escalating to coming-of-age realizations. Nothing especially substantial occurs until the closing act, and viewing it outside of fictional dimensions, the gentle messages are primarily directed at the viewer. Needless to say, a narrative isn't required to develop, but basking in the ordinariness of daily life greatly benefits from dynamic components. It's a matter of whether the weight-related punchlines, which are occasionally amusing, are enough to compensate for what it lacks in compelling characters.
Watanabe's drama about an oft-dysfunctional family removes conventional domestic roles from its thematic repertoire, dividing responsibilities equally. It's mood-centric; adolescent discovery of various emotions that may not be explicitly stated. The humor dabbles in anthropomorphic realism, as we'll see animals passing by after blurting out silly phrases. Additionally, Kimura's watercolor backgrounds are appealing and the film is obsessed with food for obvious reasons. The key animation is generally solid, and aside from similar designs to Kaijuu no Kodomo, both are analogous in shot selection. Gyokou no Nikuko-chan avoids merging into a linear flow of momentum, incorporating sudden flashbacks as it sees fit. The reflective disposition of the undercharacterized cast touches upon easygoing melodrama, yet the absence of a more convincing conflict prevents fully advancing its storytelling prowess. Tonally pleasant as it bridges the gap toward idealized adulthood.