Hokkyoku Hyakkaten no Concierge San

"The Concierge" introduces us to Akino, the new concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store, where all the customers are animals. It's a relatively short film, just over an hour, but its simplicity is part of its charm. The movie is vibrant, uplifting, and so beautifully made that it whisked me back to the joyous days of my childhood, watching "Spirited Away" or the first time.

What really captivated me was the movie's unique art style-the characters are depicted in the crisp, clean lines typical of anime, while the backgrounds are rendered in a sketchy, colored pencil style, adding a cozy and heartwarming touch to the visual experience.

As the credits rolled, I found myself wishing I could linger a little longer in the department store, eager to see what other adventures-or chaos-unfolded next.