Shirobako: The Movie premiered in U.S. theaters on Aug. 10.
Shirobako: The Movie is essentially a lengthier, shinier iteration of its predecessor. It’s animated beautifully, and it’s an absolute treat for the eyes — the very first thing you’ll notice. But it’ll also give you a serious case of deja vu. Given that the anime concluded very neatly, this cinematic adaptation, set four years after the series ended, feels more like a reunion tour or an extraneous victory lap. Most, if not all, of the story beats are quite similar, even identical, to the show, which will no doubt sit well with hardcore fans, but may not seem worthwhile to those curious about whether there's been any real character progression over the four years spent in-universe.
In fact, the new story can't even begin without referencing the old. The entirety of the film's introduction is dedicated to recapping the latter half of the series, which slightly dulls this adventure’s newness. Heroine Aoi Miyamori is still toiling away as a production assistant at Musashino Animation, and when new president Shun Watanabe (Masaya Matsukaze) asks her to head up a new theatrical project, she’s reticent. The company is in a bit of disarray, and it's unclear if it can handle such a large production. Aoi must navigate the trials and tribulations of her everyday life at Musashino while working alongside newcomer Kaede Miyai (Ayane Sakura) to reach MusAni's seemingly insurmountable goal.
As Aoi and the rest of MusAni buckle down on their new project, a sci-fi action adventure called Aerial Assault Ship SIVA, they’re working from scratch, scrambling to figure out the most efficient and cost-effective way to move forward while still reeling from the effects of the cancellation of their previous series, Time Hippopotamus. It seems unheard of, too raw, especially since that series was unceremoniously canceled. But it just might work.
Aoi's confidence that reusing older elements is infectious, and watching personalities we saw scattered throughout Shirobako come together again for another undertaking is a delight. It's still revisiting familiar territory, but catching up with faces we saw once or twice before is nevertheless enjoyable. It's a reunion that's clearly meant to address fans who remember every single detail about Shirobako's cast, and while that means the movie is jam-packed with cameos, it's nice that no one was left out of the spotlight.
Like the series did, Shirobako: The Movie shines in both its moments of workplace drama and camaraderie between the employees at MusAni. Watching everyone work together, even when they feel like they're at the end of their rope to make something special, stirred something inside of me. It's satisfying in a distinctly Shirobako way. Plus, seeing the early CG designs, workshopping, and brainstorming Aoi leads the team in will make you feel like you've done something far more productive than just watching anime.
As usual, some of the best moments stem from the time spent away from the entire roller coaster of production. In particular, we get to see Ryosuke Endo (Shinobu Matsumoto)'s interactions with his impossibly sweet wife Mayumi (Chinami Hashimoto) as he comes out of his shell after the devastation of losing Time Hippo. Their relationship is such a tender one, as Mayumi does everything she can to try and console her lover and help him rediscover his passion for the industry once more.
Similarly, it’s entertaining to see Aoi grapple with her personal decisions and growth when she has to look deep inside herself. That’s where Mimsy and Lolo, a pirate-like doll and a white bear that serve as Aoi's expository inner voices, come out. It’s always a treat to see them return, even if they’re a little hard on our favorite member of the Donut Five. When things get serious and it seems like MusAni may not be up to the task to create their new feature (again), they tend to offer some much-needed comic relief.
Unfortunately, these small interactions don't make for a completely riveting movie. What feels like insurmountable odds at first for the anime studio are quickly beaten, and Aoi once again comes through as the protagonist who can solve any mystery — yet she seems to remain exactly where she is. It feels like trying new things, succeeding, and then never moving forward.
In this, Shirobako: The Movie is a comfortable return to a world of day-in and day-out work in a fast-paced industry that's happy to tread familiar waters. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but after four years in the anime business, it seems we'd see a studio and workers having advanced a bit further than this. Still, it’s a fun romp for anyone who’s been yearning to see their favorite characters return. It’s a better option than revisiting the series once more, since it does offer new elements to explore, but it doesn’t add anything terribly meaningful.