The new film by Isshin Inudou, director of Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish(2003) and La Maison de Himiko(2005), captures the life and romance of Asako, a single comic artist in her forties, narrated in her apprentice Naomi’s point of view. Although she’s a very successful comic artist, Asako’s private life is completely dilapidated with her sole companion, a cat named Sava. When Sava dies, Asako loses all will to work. Later, she takes in a new cat, Goo Goo, and meets an odd younger man named Seiji; her life instantly changes for the better. But she is faced with another drawback, followed by a final fantasy sequence. An expert at turning trifling matters into extraordinary life messages, Isshin fills the screen with radiant light, lyrical music, cute characters, fancy mise-en-scene, etc. to excite young female fans. This film’s theme of love is clearly portrayed in the final fantasy moment, and will surely satisfy Isshin’s faithful, manic fans. (KANG Sowon)