Animated cinema has given us splendid and memorable works during 2025, but 2026 promises to be no different. Indeed, the beginning of the new year will bring with it a little gem capable of conquering audiences and critics, ready to establish itself as one of the most delicate and surprising titles of the first months.
If in Italian cinemas the attention will inevitably be catalysed by giants like Buen Camino by Checco Zalone, which is racking up impressive numbers, and by the highly anticipated Avatar 3 by the legendary James Cameron, there is also room for a more intimate and refined pearl. We’re talking about Little Amélie, animated film that will arrive in cinemas on January 1, 2026, directed by French directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.
Far from the stylistic features of the most common drawings of contemporary Japanese animation, Little Amélie instead recalls, with great sensitivity, some traits of Studio Ghibli’s classics and in particular the poetic touch of Hayao Miyazaki. It is a breath of Miyazakian magic filtered through a European gazeelegant and measured, which finds its identity in a harmonious fusion of cultures and suggestions. The film is based on Amélie Nothomb’s autobiographical novel, Metaphysics of Pipesand preserves its delicacy intact.
The story is told from the point of view of the protagonist, Amélie, a two-year-old girl who observes the world with a pure and disarming gaze. Vallade and Liane-Cho Han avoid any forced artifice, entering with respect and lightness into the emotional and perceptive trajectory of the little girl, the third daughter of a Belgian couple who moved to Japan.
And it is precisely from this discovery that the world, in his eyes, explodes with colors. At two years old, everything is a mystery, but curiosity begins to take shape thanks to the people who populate his days, starting with Nishio-san, his nanny, with whom he establishes a deep and fundamental bond. Through this report, AMélie begins to discover the universe, emotions, fears and small daily wonders.
The film is a fairy tale set in Japan that captures the wonder of childhood amidst traditions, daily rituals and a magic that hides in the simplest gestures. The 2D animation, colorful and lively, stands out for its impressionistic backdrops and changing shades: Amélie’s world appears deformed in shapes and colorsas if reality were constantly shaped by his perception. It is no coincidence that rain is a central element of the story, where it is Nishio-san who explains to Amélie that “Amé”, in Japanese, really means rain.
A far from banal start to the year for cinema, which reminds us that, alongside the big blockbusters, there are still small and precious stories capable of leaving their mark. The film will arrive in theaters on January 1, 2026and promises to be one of the brightest surprises of the year and you can also watch the trailer to take a look at this poetic film.
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