©Courtesy of NYICFF
Mifuyu Mikura’s attitude towards her family’s library of rare books is much like that of the protagonist of Drops of God with respect to her late father’s valuable wine cellar. Mikura has no bibliophilic interests, but the collection is a complicated part of her family’s history and legacy, so she must try to lift its curse in Daiki Fukuoka’s anime feature Whoever Steals This Book, based on Nowaki Fukamidori’s novel and subsequent manga, which screens as part of the 2026 New York International Children’s Film Festival.
Mikura’s great-grandfather original founded Mikura Hall, hoping the entire town of Yomunaga would enjoy its rare volumes. After his death, Mikura’s grandmother maintained his connoisseur’s approach to acquisitions, but restricted access to only just the Mikura family. Her father Ayumu currently serves as the library’s caretaker, but he is stuck with his mother’s rules. In practical terms, this means Mikura Hall’s only regular patron has been Mifuyu’s Aunt Hirune, who strives to read every single volume in the family’s collection.
Much to her annoyance, young Mikura must cover for her father during his hospital convalescence. She accepts the responsibility, but with little enthusiasm for the job. However, her boredom turns into alarm when she discovers several dozen rare books had been stolen from the Hall, under her watch. Her sense of urgency increases when Mikura realizes the thefts launched a book curse that suddenly engulfs Mikura Hall (including her and her Aunt Hirune), as well as the surrounding Yomunaga community.
©Courtesy of Kadokawa
As the curse plunges Mikura into three very distinct fictional worlds, an ally introduces herself to the young girl. The mysterious Mashiro can transform herself into a big white dog, somewhat similar in appearance to Moro, the white wolf, in Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke. Mashiro also offers useful background knowledge on each of the storylines, which should help Mikura navigate her way to the endings. Yet, Mashiro’s superior literary knowledge somewhat embarrasses Mikura, especially when she learns the magical realms are based on the novels she never knew her father wrote.
The diversity of Ayumu’s fiction allows Whoever Steals This Book the opportunity to explore very distinctive styles for each genre. It starts with a Ghibli-esque fantastical fable, detours into a hardboiled detective caper, and culminates in a dystopian steampunk world. Of the three, the ultra-noir sequences are definitely the coolest and most distinctive looking.
©Courtesy of Kadokawa
Regardless, the constant jumping from story to story keeps everything snappy. In some ways, the meta intersection of reality and fiction bears comparison to Yoshiyuke Momose’s The Imaginary, but the look and tone are more closely akin to Mamoru Hosoda’s Belle. If you enjoyed either of those films, you will find similar cinematic rewards in Fukuoka’s film. Yet, it sufficiently develops its own intriguing identity.
Ultimately, Fukuoka and company find a roundabout and counterintuitive way to celebrate and promote literacy. However, voracious anime consumers can rest assured Yasuhiro Nakanishi’s adapted screenplay incorporates many of the themes and elements that made them fans in the first place (like shapeshifting, magical libraries, family secrets, and wicked grandmothers).
The animation, produced by the relatively new Kagokan animation production house, has the flexibility to do justice to each genre world. There are some wild fantastical visuals, but the magical mayhem is always cleanly rendered and easy to follow.
Most importantly, Mifuyu Mikura represents exactly the kind of plucky young heroine fans love to root for. She duly matures over the course of the film, but starts from a base level of responsibility and resourcefulness that is quite appealing. It ticks a heck of a lot of anime boxes, while still exuding freshness. Very highly recommended for all animation enthusiasts, Whoever Steals This Book screens again this Saturday (3/7) as part of this year’s NYICFF and everyone outside of New York can eagerly anticipate an eventual theatrical release from the anime experts at Crunchyroll.
Grade: A
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Here’s the trailer of the film.