Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
93%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 2 nominations
Beautiful and substantive, Tokyo Godfathers adds a moving — and somewhat unconventional — entry to the animated Christmas canon.
Tokyo Godfathers is a heartwarming and hilarious anime film that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas. With its beautiful animation and compelling storytelling, it’s no wonder why this movie has become a modern classic. The characters are lovable and relatable, and their journey to reunite a lost child with her family will have you on the edge of your seat. Plus, the film’s message of inclusivity and the importance of family is more relevant now than ever before. So grab some popcorn, cozy up with a blanket, and get ready for a wild ride through the streets of Tokyo with this unforgettable trio of misfits.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures,
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, Samuel Goldwyn Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, violent images, language and some sexual material
Year of Release
2003
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):Japanese, Spanish, English
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Country of origin:Japan
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2003 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 13, 2004
Genre(s)
Anime
Keyword(s)
starring Toru Emori, Aya Okamoto, Yoshiaki Umegaki, directed by Satoshi Kon, written by Satoshi Kon, produced by Masao Maruyama, anime, PG-13, Christmas movie, homeless people, Tokyo, abandoned baby, family, redemption, friendship, miracles, thematic elements, some sexual material, language, violent images, Japanese, Columbia Tristar, Samuel Goldwyn Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, $129.0K box office, reviewed by Nick Schager, Chris Stuckmann, Joe Morgenstern, Tasha Robinson, J R Jones, Ken Eisner, Kyle Anderson, Matt Brunson, Brian Costello, Rachel Wagner, Juan Luis Caviaro, Espinof, critic reviews, audience reviews, top critics, fresh, rotten, 91% Tomatometer, 74 reviews, 91% audience score, 10,000+ ratings
Worldwide gross: $453,133
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $734,470
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,659
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 80,095
US/Canada gross: $367,131
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $595,072
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,287
US/Canada opening weekend: $29,259
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $47,425
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,227
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Aya Okamoto – Miyuki – Voice
Toru Emori – Gin – Voice
Satoshi Kon – Director
Shinichi Kobayashi – Executive Producer
Taro Maki – Executive Producer
Director(s)
Satoshi Kon
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Masao Maruyama
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (74) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (7)
A modern animé classic fit for rediscovery by both adults and kids-not to mention a stirring celebration of inclusivity that remains ahead of its time.
February 2, 2021
Nick Schager
The Daily Beast
TOP CRITIC
Tokyo Godfathers stands as an excellent anime film and a really fun Christmas movie.
December 28, 2020 | Rating: A
Chris Stuckmann
ChrisStuckmann.com
TOP CRITIC
In one sense the plot involves returning stolen goods to a thief, but Tokyo Godfathers is really about longing — for family, for children, for parents and for the lost past.
December 9, 2013
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal
TOP CRITIC
No amount of shoehorned-in razzle-dazzle can keep this forced fable from feeling like a shadow of Kon’s early work.
December 9, 2013
Tasha Robinson
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Japanese animator Satoshi Kon has a striking sense of composition, but I’m more impressed by his storytelling skills.
February 17, 2012
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Takes anime to a whole new level.
September 7, 2008
Ken Eisner
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Tokyo Godfathers is a beautiful, hilarious movie and one that cemented Satoshi Kon as a visionary and narrative master.
September 2, 2020
Kyle Anderson
Nerdist
Less fanciful in plot and style than Kon’s other movies, yet it compensates with its deep humanism.
June 7, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Unique anime has mature themes, drinking, cursing.
March 27, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Brian Costello
Common Sense Media
There are a lot of reasons why this film works, but I think at the heart is an emotional resonance we connect with
January 3, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net
It’s not a perfect film, but it excites, makes you laugh and reconciles one with the human race and that’s a rare thing. [Full Review in Spanish]
November 6, 2019
Juan Luis Caviaro
Espinof
A film which shows the limitless potential of animation, Tokyo Godfathers is an alternative Christmas classic that’s full of unexpected twists, turns and miracles. A festive bonanza which will put plenty of smiles on many faces.
October 8, 2018 | Rating: 7/10
Jonathan Edwards
Starburst…
Plot
Christmas in Tokyo, Japan. Three homeless friends: a young girl, a transvestite, and a middle-aged bum. While foraging through some trash, they find an abandoned newborn. Hana, the transvestite with delusions of being a mother, convinces the others to keep it overnight. The next day, using a key found with the baby, they start tracking down the parents, with many adventures along the way.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
One of the voice actors in Tokyo Godfathers is Yoshiaki Umegaki, who plays the character Hana.
Satoshi-Kon.jpg
