Toei Animation’s critically acclaimed short film, Magic Candies, is set to grace Japanese theaters for a limited two-week engagement. This heartwarming and visually stunning animation, already making waves on the international film festival circuit, offers Japanese audiences a chance to experience its magic on the big screen.
A Sweet Treat for Japanese Audiences
Magic Candies, or Amedama as it’s known in Japan, has garnered significant attention for its unique storytelling and captivating animation style. The film’s upcoming theatrical run provides a prime opportunity for local audiences to witness the magic that has captivated viewers worldwide.
Oscar Nomination Puts Spotlight on Toei Animation
The short film recently earned a nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, marking a historic first for Toei Animation. This nomination has amplified the film’s profile, drawing increased attention to its artistry and emotional depth. The awards ceremony will be held on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
A Milestone for Japanese Animation
This marks only the fourth Japanese nomination in this category, following Atama Yama (2002), La Maison en Petits Cubes (2008, winner), and Tsukumo from SHORT PEACE (2014). If Magic Candies wins, it will be the second Japanese victory in this category.
What is ‘Magic Candies’ About?
Magic Candies is a 21-minute CGI animated short film produced by Toei Animation. It is based on two original stories, “Magic Candies” and “I Am a Dog,” by Korean picture book author Heena Baek, the 2020 laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Storyline
The film tells the story of Dong-Dong, a solitary young boy who prefers playing marbles alone. One day, instead of buying new marbles, he purchases a bag of colorful, marble-shaped candies. He discovers that these candies have a magical property: when he eats one, he can hear the voices and thoughts of objects and beings around him. His old sofa begins to speak to him, and he has an unexpected conversation with it.
Discovering New Perspectives
Through these magic candies, Dong-Dong begins to have special encounters with the world around him. He discovers new perspectives, including his own, as he interacts with people, animals, and even inanimate objects that suddenly have voices.
The Creative Minds Behind the Magic
Magic Candies is brought to life by a talented team:
- Original Story: Heena Baek (“Magic Candies” and “I Am a Dog“)
- Director: Daisuke Nishio
- Producer: Takashi Washio
- Animation Producer: Kazuhiro Nishikawa
- Music: Naoki Sato
- CG Supervisor: Tsuyoshi Shimizu
- Art Director: Sachiko Eba
- Animation Production: Dandelion Animation Studio
- Presented by: TOEI ANIMATION
- Cast: Haruto Shima, Hiroshi Iwasaki, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Sakiko Uran, Ikkei Watanabe, Oi Kiko, and Yoshifumi Hasegawa.
Daisuke Nishio: From Dragon Ball Z to Heartfelt Tales
Daisuke Nishio, the director of Magic Candies, is a veteran of Toei Animation. He is known for directing episodes of the Dragon Ball Z series. He also directed GeGeGe no Kitaro 4, and Young Kindaichi’s Case Book. In 2004, he launched Pretty Cure, a long-running series.
Takashi Washio: A Producer with a Vision
Takashi Washio, the producer, has been involved in numerous successful anime projects, including Pretty Cure, Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon and One Piece franchises.
Heena Baek: Award-Winning Author
Heena Baek, the author of the original stories, is celebrated for her unique characters and stories. Her works have gained wide recognition, and in 2020, she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for children’s literature.”
Animation Style and Production
The film is a CGI animated short film that vividly expresses a heartwarming, empathetic coming-of-age story. The animation team at Dandelion Animation Studio worked to recreate Baek Heena’s original world in vibrant 3D.
A Blend of Styles
The film blends photorealistic backgrounds with stylized character animation, an approach that echoes Baek’s signature technique of photographing handcrafted miniature sets under custom lighting. The animation combines different textures and styles, reflecting the richness of the world around the protagonist and visually capturing the character’s internal transformation. The transitions between scenes are fluid and engaging.
Years in the Making
The production of Magic Candies took approximately four years, involving nearly 100 people, including cast and crew.
Accolades and Recognition
Before its Oscar nomination, Magic Candies had already garnered significant acclaim:
- Winner of Jury Award, Animated Short at the 25th New York International Children’s Film Festival.
- Golden Slipper for Best Short Animation for Children at the 64th Zlin Film Festival – International Film Festival for Children and Youth (Czech Republic).
- Japan Premiere Award at the 19th Sapporo International Short Film Festival.
- Best International Short Film at the 38th Cinekid Festival (the Netherlands).
- Audience Award at the 43rd Cambridge Film Festival (UK).
- Winner of Japanese Film Award at the 31st KINEKO International Film Festival.
- Nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 AFI Fest.
- Nomination for the Best Short Film award at the London Film Festival.
- Busan International Film Festival 2024
- BFI London Film Festival 2024
Themes and Interpretation
Magic Candies explores themes of communication, empathy, and understanding. Through Dong-Dong’s experiences, the film encourages viewers to consider different perspectives and to appreciate the voices of those around them, both human and non-human.
A Heartwarming Message
The film’s simple yet quirky, heartwarming story encourages viewers to reconsider how they treat their treasured belongings and beloved people. Through Tong Tong’s newfound ability to hear voices, he gains insights into his dog’s frustration, his couch’s exhaustion, and, most importantly, his father’s unspoken love.
Where to Experience ‘Magic Candies’
While the limited theatrical run in Japan is the immediate opportunity for audiences to see the film, Magic Candies has also been screened at various film festivals internationally. Keep an eye out for potential screenings at festivals near you, or future streaming availability.
Toei Animation: A Legacy of Animation Excellence
Toei Animation is a renowned animation studio with a long and storied history. The studio is responsible for numerous iconic anime series and films, including Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and many others.
Recent Works
Some of Toei Animation’s recent and ongoing projects include:
- Dragon Ball Daima
- One Piece (Egghead Arc)
- Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
- Butt Detective
- Digimon Adventure:
- Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
Expanding Horizons
Toei Animation is also expanding its horizons with new ventures, including its first indie game, NOROI KAGO: the Grudged Domain.
The theatrical release of Magic Candies in Japan is a momentous occasion, offering audiences a chance to experience this acclaimed short film on the big screen. With its Oscar nomination and heartwarming story, Magic Candies is poised to capture the hearts of viewers around the world.
