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Movie Info & Details
Release Year2024
Runtime0h 16m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationPG-13
GenresFamily, Drama
Votes—
DirectorMaren Emiko Elardo
WritersMaren Emiko Elardo
TypeFeature Film
Rating0.0 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsIkigai
About Ikigai
'Ikigai' follows Mayumi, a 9-year-old girl, as she tries to find balance in her Japanese identity and American nationality. Hanako, her mother who celebrates their culture through Nihon Buyo, sees Mayumi's new school as an opportunity to share their culture with the white students. When Mayumi is assigned a show-and-tell presentation, she takes it as a chance to prove to her classmates that she is not that different from them. But, that plan is soon ruined when Hanako unexpectedly shows up and teaches the class a Japanese dance, embarrassing and exposing Mayumi's cultural background. After coming home ashamed of her mother and Japanese identity, Mayumi receives guidance from her parents that motivates her to return to school and redo her show and tell in a way that would make her ancestors proud.
Directed by Maren Emiko Elardo, Ikigai leans on a strong ensemble — Natsuko Aoike, Brian Takahashi, Julia Saito — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 2024.
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