A Film Directed by Yoshitaka Takeuchi, Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing, and Haoling Li

While Japanese / Chinese animation collaborations are not wholly unheard of, they are somewhat rare, which makes a project like 2018’s Shikioriori, aka Flavors of Youth in English speaking areas, an interesting project. The film was helmed by three directors in a partnership between CoMix Wave Films and Haoliners Animation League. The first director was Yoshitaka Takeuchi, the man previously tasked with heading up the 3D animation department on the critically acclaimed film, Your Name, such a pedigree holds quite a bit of weight after the monumental success of that film. He is joined by Haoling Li, who is not someone I am familiar with (as I rarely dive into the Chinese animation market), who seems to have quite an established portfolio under himself, including numerous TV shows acting as a producer and director. This includes films based on the popular video game League of Legends. Finally, the third director is Xiaoxing Yi, who seems to work on live action TV dramas more than anything else. The film itself is a three-part anthology that strives to show just how much we can regret small choices we make in our youth, and that there’s almost always a chance to regain what was once thought lost.

“The rigorous city life of China, while bustling and unforgiving, contains the everlasting memories of days past. Three stories told in three different cities, Shikioriori follows the loss of youth and the daunting realization of adulthood. Though reality may seem ever changing, unchangeable are the short-lived moments of one’s childhood days. A plentiful bowl of noodles, the beauty of family and the trials of first love endure the inevitable flow of time, as three different characters explore the strength of bonds and the warmth of cherished memories. Within the disorder of the present world, witness these quaint stories recognize the comfort of the past, and attempt to revive the neglected flavors of youth.”

The first thing that struck me when watching this film, is that Flavors of Youth is surprisingly really good looking, especially in the background animation department. The character designs can be somewhat bland, but the film is targeting a more realistic portrayal of life in China, and as such it would not really make sense to have flashy, over-the-top character designs or crazy action scenes to really show off the foreground animation. The food alone, in the first segment, is on the same level animation-wise as any food in any Studio Ghibli production, one of those little things that always gets mentioned when speaking of those films. I found myself getting hungry and really wanting rice noodles as I watched that part! Everything runs smoothly and goes to show that Chinese “donghua” (animation) is now largely on par with what they can do in Japan.

The film explores a complex tapestry of human emotions through the lens of memories and nostalgia. With its thought-provoking narratives that border on the poetic, the film almost seems like a video essay or a segment on a popular podcast such as This American Life. The movie uses small themes such as food, family, or love to show the lives of people that have largely forgotten what really matters in life, usually giving in to the chaos of modern living. The sort of feelings one gets from this film are more-or-less universal themes that can be found in any culture, which is likely why this film has been released in so many areas of the world.

As stated oreviously, the film is divided into three interconnected stories, each set in a different Chinese city and focusing on different characters.

Part 1 – The Rice Noodles – Taking place in Hunan Province and Beijing, a man named Xiao Ming reminisces about his memories with his grandmother through his love for San Xian noodles. As he gets older, he finds that his favorite noodles are getting worse in quality and that he misses the noodles of his youth as well as the simpler times.

Part 2 – A Little Fashion Show – Taking place in Guangzhou, Yi Lin is a fashion model, and her younger sister Lulu is a clothing design student. Yi Lin takes care of her younger sister, but has allowed the fame and money in her job clud her mind driving the siblings apart. It’s only after Yi Lin finds herself in the hospital that she realizes what really matters in life.

Part 3 – Love in Shanghai – Taking place in a shikumen in Shanghai from 1999 to the modern-day, this segment is about a boy named Li Mo, who agrees to record school lessons on cassette tapes for an injured classmate named Xiao Yu. The two develop feelings for each other, however their academic lives appear to be on different trajectories that ultimately separate them for a number of years. As an adult working as an architect, Li Mo finds one of those old cassette tapes which explains why they have been driven apart. Can he find Li Mo before it’s too late?

All three stories were pretty good; however, I found the first segment, The Rice Noodles, the most enjoyable. This was largely due to its simplicity and emphasis on nostalgia and embracing good memories. I have found myself in similar situations, partaking in activities or food I enjoyed in my past, or ones that have sentimental value to me, to scratch a nostalgic itch of a bygone era. The other two have less likeable characters, but everything comes together in the end, and the problems I had end up solving themselves. Through embracing the values found in the film, these people grow and become better people, which I appreciate.

I think my only real issue with the film is that despite clocking in at just over one hour, it can somewhat drag at times. This is likely deliberate, but it might test the patience of some viewers. If you give it a chance and allow the stories to fully unfold, it’s a worthwhile venture.

Flavors of Youth is a visually captivating and emotionally compelling animated anthology film that masterfully explores the intricacies of memory and nostalgia. The interconnected narratives, coupled with its great animation, deliver a contemplative and immersive experience that allows the viewers to think about similar issues they face. While the pacing may not suit all tastes, it stands as a testament to the beauty of everyday life and the indelible impact of the past on our present. For those who appreciate thoughtful, emotionally charged animated cinema, Flavors of Youth is a worthwhile watch, and a indicator that I need to look more into Chinese “anime” (or “donghua“).