To be honest this movie is a slow burn, maybe not even a burn. The movie is split up into three stories with the same theme, childhood. I personally liked the first story the most, but the third story is also wotrh watching. Sit down, drink a cup of tea and relax while watching beautiful animantion tell three sweet stories about the memories of childhood :))
50 Reviews
I loved it.
pandeyvimleshkumar9 August 2018
A beautifully melancholic look into the lives of three distinct individuals.
MrDHWong9 August 2018
Flavors of Youth is an anthology anime drama film. Produced by CoMix Wave Films (Your Name, 5 Centimeters Per Second), it is a beautifully melancholic look into the lives of three distinct individuals.
The film is told in three chapters, similar to that of 5 Centimeters Per Second. Chapter one, "The Rice Noodles," focuses on a young man with a nostalgic fondness for noodle soup in Beijing. Chapter two, "A Little Fashion Show", is about two sisters, one a fashion model and one a fashion designer, the former of whom's career gets in the way of their time together. Chapter three, "Love in Shanghai", concerns a young architect regretting not confessing his true feelings to a girl he knew in his childhood.
Showcasing gorgeous animation and artwork, Flavors of Youth is a carefully told and often touching collection of stories about living in the moment and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Each individual protagonist lends themselves to their story in their own unique way, but never so much that the overall tone of the film feels inconsistent. The English dub voice acting is solid as well, featuring great performances from the likes of Crispin Freeman, Erica Mendez, and even Hollywood actress Evan Rachel Wood. While not on par with better anime films in CoMix Wave's library like 2016's Your Name, Flavors of Youth is certainly worth a viewing on Netflix.
I rate it 8/10
The film is told in three chapters, similar to that of 5 Centimeters Per Second. Chapter one, "The Rice Noodles," focuses on a young man with a nostalgic fondness for noodle soup in Beijing. Chapter two, "A Little Fashion Show", is about two sisters, one a fashion model and one a fashion designer, the former of whom's career gets in the way of their time together. Chapter three, "Love in Shanghai", concerns a young architect regretting not confessing his true feelings to a girl he knew in his childhood.
Showcasing gorgeous animation and artwork, Flavors of Youth is a carefully told and often touching collection of stories about living in the moment and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Each individual protagonist lends themselves to their story in their own unique way, but never so much that the overall tone of the film feels inconsistent. The English dub voice acting is solid as well, featuring great performances from the likes of Crispin Freeman, Erica Mendez, and even Hollywood actress Evan Rachel Wood. While not on par with better anime films in CoMix Wave's library like 2016's Your Name, Flavors of Youth is certainly worth a viewing on Netflix.
I rate it 8/10
Three cute stories
stoneps1 January 2020
As a chinese myself, it is actually quiet surprising when I saw the cities named in the anime are Chinese cities and protagonists are all Chinese (maybe I haven't watched enough anime lol). Even the names of the food and street gave me so much memories.
I'm glad to see such collaboration between the Japanese and Chinese artists, given all the histories between the two and numerous political conflicts. It's simply beautiful to witness such mixture between cultures and I look forward to seeing something similar in the future!
It is also surprising to see how the rating here on IMDB is only 6.6. And I feel this one at least deserves a seven. The stories are a bit cheesy to be quite frank but it's very authentic and realistic to see. And the stories are heartfelt.
So this film is about three short stories. I guess every now and then we forget how life is about the littlest things we do for each other, about the meaning we grew up with (no matter how small they are), and about the love we share with one another.
They are the meanings. The important flavor we grew up with, the love from family and friends, as well as the powerful heart beat we felt being with our loved ones. Youth is everything about that.
A lot of delicate feelings were depicted in this film. You might not feel anything when the restaurant down the street shuts down, but to some people the flavor is the memory of their grandma. Working is rewarding but competitive and being on the top could easily cloud your from seeing how your family and friends are supporting you, guiding you through this muddle. And you would possibly never know what sacrifices your loved ones make for you, even though you're essentially doing the same thing.
I enjoyed all three stories but if I have to pick a favorite I'll say the last one as it was really well developed. It was heart-breaking when Xiao Ming was fast forwarding the tape searching for more messages from Xiao Yu, after she said she will not go for the elite school because of him and he was the one who was too stubborn to listen to the tape she sent her. Part of me feels if the story ends there it would be very VERY sad but at the same time very VERY powerful. But oh well at least they're together now.
But that's just love isn't it. Such passion so strong that you'll do anything for each other, to a degree it becomes too much and it hurts.
Our youth. Just like our memories, it is something we had and it won't come back ever again. It made us who we are but it is also in the past. I guess all we can do is cherish our time here, and be very mindful about the unseen beauty around us.
I'm glad to see such collaboration between the Japanese and Chinese artists, given all the histories between the two and numerous political conflicts. It's simply beautiful to witness such mixture between cultures and I look forward to seeing something similar in the future!
It is also surprising to see how the rating here on IMDB is only 6.6. And I feel this one at least deserves a seven. The stories are a bit cheesy to be quite frank but it's very authentic and realistic to see. And the stories are heartfelt.
So this film is about three short stories. I guess every now and then we forget how life is about the littlest things we do for each other, about the meaning we grew up with (no matter how small they are), and about the love we share with one another.
They are the meanings. The important flavor we grew up with, the love from family and friends, as well as the powerful heart beat we felt being with our loved ones. Youth is everything about that.
A lot of delicate feelings were depicted in this film. You might not feel anything when the restaurant down the street shuts down, but to some people the flavor is the memory of their grandma. Working is rewarding but competitive and being on the top could easily cloud your from seeing how your family and friends are supporting you, guiding you through this muddle. And you would possibly never know what sacrifices your loved ones make for you, even though you're essentially doing the same thing.
I enjoyed all three stories but if I have to pick a favorite I'll say the last one as it was really well developed. It was heart-breaking when Xiao Ming was fast forwarding the tape searching for more messages from Xiao Yu, after she said she will not go for the elite school because of him and he was the one who was too stubborn to listen to the tape she sent her. Part of me feels if the story ends there it would be very VERY sad but at the same time very VERY powerful. But oh well at least they're together now.
But that's just love isn't it. Such passion so strong that you'll do anything for each other, to a degree it becomes too much and it hurts.
Our youth. Just like our memories, it is something we had and it won't come back ever again. It made us who we are but it is also in the past. I guess all we can do is cherish our time here, and be very mindful about the unseen beauty around us.
Very good slice-of-life anime film
alv79030 December 2018
Composed of three, independent short stories, this anime film has beautiful animation. The stories are gentle, nostalgic slice-of-life, filled with childhood memories and regret, but also hope. Little action, just feelings and self-reflection. For some viewers it will seem boring, but for me it was very enjoyable. The shorter length of each story helped me not to lose interest. Rating: 9/10
a splash of memory
nab-shr22 August 2018
It is evident all over the world, wherever you are born, you'll never forget the place you are born. And that's the irony of today's gov't all over the world. All the world's gov't is demolishing the memory we have of our child dream homes where we were born. Same here, the gov't demolished our home in the name of development and now all we've left is some vague memory. Sure we will never be able to rewind the past. Such a beautiful past we had. Hats off to the team.
Ratings somehow justify it
nikree13 May 2020
It is not a terrific must watch movie. Definitely not. Another sweet romantic-comedy-type movie.
The movie is about 'nostalgia' or looking back to the past. Someway or the other it just manages to touch the topic, but doesn't quiest dips the audience into the theme.
It's a collection of three seperate short stories. Another reason to ask why would anyone invest in a movie, for okay-type-shorts.
It's a good, christmas-family movie. But noe for any serious cinephile.
It's a collection of three seperate short stories. Another reason to ask why would anyone invest in a movie, for okay-type-shorts.
It's a good, christmas-family movie. But noe for any serious cinephile.
I guess I was expecting too much.
yogeshxlr86 August 2018
Meh. I guess I was expecting another your name. I watched the English version and first two stories didn't really invoke any reaction. Third was the best of the trio, but narration was just... You sometimes have to let the people feel themselves.
Worth your time
radovicichristopher4 January 2019
It is, overall, an experience in itself more than a movie. It's something you take in, interpret, analyze through your experiences and filter with your own feelings. It's entirely up to you if this movie is something you digest afterwards for a few hours wondering about your life as a whole or just something you ate popcorn to. In both cases it is extremely good. The lessons that are in it are numerous and varied enough to please everyone and it's auite easy to identify with something from the movie, be it a character, a scenery, a feeling, a phrase, and the list can go on. On purpose it is called flavour(S) in the plural form because to everyone there is something different to be taken out of it. This anime is about love, family, passion, dreams, and everything else that makes us human. It's a nice perspective on life, set in short stories that are pleasant on their own and connect, covering up all the issues someone might face, with characters that are really nice and a good development. It's similar to Life Itself in these aspects. For those who want to just chill out it's great too, the animation is beautiful (not stunning) but well done, the music and scenery is extremely absorbing, good play and twists, quite easy to follow up, and a really well made movie overall that should fill up and afernoon and make you feel good afterwards. So give it a shot no matter what!
A mixed bag...
garethcrook26 April 2020
This is a real mixed bag. Three stories, essentially separate but following themes of youth, senses and emotions, the wonder of what the future might hold. The first story works really well, a slow burner following a young boy reminiscing about his home town and the perfect noodles that remind him of his grandma. It's really sweet and the animation of the food is ridiculous. Don't watch this when you're hungry. The second story is the weak link for me, two sisters in the big city, the eldest a model coming to terms with no longer being the hottest thing on the catwalk. It's a bit thin and the characters quite unlikable. After the evocative nature of the first story, this really suffers. Flavours of Youth redeems itself in its final act though with a story of three school friends, unrequited love, pressures of exams, expectations of parents and missed opportunities. The friends pass cassette tapes between them, leaving one another messages, saying the things not always easy to say face to face. Again it's quite sweet, a little sentimental, but probably the most well rounded of the three stories. It's not quite up to the standards of Your Name or Weathering With You, that the studio was also responsible for, but at around 25 minutes each, this is still worth a watch.
As average as average can be
grymdylan1 October 2018
With character animation that struggles to even be half as attractive as the usual ComiX Wave studio's output, this mixed bag film tries to do what stories such as Shinya Shokudo do by giving insight into the lives of a few different people via the food they like and how it has followed their lives. However, with overly poignant, faux-sentimental arcs (and an abundance of characters in the rain behind somber piano) revolving around the characters we're given far to little time to care about, everything falls as flat and lifeless as the rigid character movements and their stale designs. While there is a clear attempt to match the visual flair and style of the recent hit Your Name, something this film markets itself as coming from the same studio as, it relies too much on flashy lighting and the occasional detailed close up that just feel out of place against the rest of the bland visuals. While nothing offensive, this film or series of vignettes is as painfully average and run of the mill as you could expect from a Chinese produced anime trying to piggyback on the success of a recent commercial hit.
It's a beautiful series of short storys that tell the lives of three individuals
stereo_19999 August 2018
I loved it but would have loved it so much more if it was three movies of this length which is why I didn't give it an even better rating. It did a really good job at making me feel emotional despite the small length. I felt nostalgia, regret, and Joy. Granted some of the nostalgia could be my own as I also remember tape recorders and the like but it also made me feel nostalgic for things I never experienced in my youth like china, food, and little things like that. That was just how strong the story telling was.
The animation was also beautiful done that made it a joy to watch.
The animation was also beautiful done that made it a joy to watch.
A heartwarming movie:)
miraiinaoka18 April 2020
This movie is best enjoyed watching it in the original language, Japanese. The animation was so beautiful and vibrant and detailed, loved every aspect of it. I was getting hungry just by watching the man eat rice noodles in the first story, each ingredient in the dish was animated with such precise detail. I liked how the first two stories incorporated the importance of food in the two characters' lives, though I think that there should have been a more defined/prominent connection to food in the third story, Shanghai Love. Outro of the movie was great too, a song by one of my favorite Japanese artists! The end credits was a good way to wrap up the show.
beautiful but boring
anjaemilie12 September 2018
Why not bass it
nadr21a2120 August 2018
Do you remember your youth?
vostrikliza23 August 2023
It's gripping stories with beautiful shots about different people, who confused in adulthood and who doesn't know what to do in the future. We can find ourselves in these stories and recall what we wanted what we miss.
This anime is open to interpretation. Everyone can find something for themselves in this. But I can definitely say that it inspires to live on, dream and remember the past, the present and the future.
I suggest you invite your close friends and family to watch this anime in a cozy atmosphere with delicious snacks and a cup of tea or cocoa. I'm sure you will have a good time:))
This anime is open to interpretation. Everyone can find something for themselves in this. But I can definitely say that it inspires to live on, dream and remember the past, the present and the future.
I suggest you invite your close friends and family to watch this anime in a cozy atmosphere with delicious snacks and a cup of tea or cocoa. I'm sure you will have a good time:))
Its a great anime.Must watch.
hvaddi93 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The 3 parts covered in Shikioriori are the about the 3 basic needs of human life.
Spoilers Ahead! 1. Food "Hidamari no Choushoku" (Sunny Breakfast) It took us through the need for food. The magical taste of San Xian noodles. How the loss/change of the taste would make us feel, the people with whom we eat and the atmosphere of where we eat.
2. Clothing "Chiisana Fashion Show" (A Small Fashion Show) It shows how fashion has changed the Clothing industry in a good/bad way (depends how you see it). And the people/models who work in this industry are working so hard to be at the top. Finally, it shows that just a normal type of clothing of your favourite colour made by your sister would make you feel better than a super-costly dress.
3. Shelter "Shanghai Koi" (Shanghai Love) It shows that the main character is interested in Architecture. Also, the area where he grew up will soon be demolished and renovated as it is kind of old currently and is in the middle of a great city. It also covers other important needs of life like Love, Education, and you know Life itself.
Post credits scene: Its kind of a happy scene where we see all these characters of individual stories at the same place very near to each other. And it shows how small and simple the world is but we just don't notice it.
It's really great to create an anime of such quality with such basic needs in life. I'm glad to notice this without reading the description of the Anime.
I've seen people comparing Shikioriori with Kimi no na wa and review Shikioriori as a bad anime that just copied the style. That's completely absurd. Both the anime are unique in their own style. And yes, the art looks like Kimi no na wa and its good. Because anyone would love to see an art with such great detail and quality. And that's one big factor we all watch anime.
Spoilers Ahead! 1. Food "Hidamari no Choushoku" (Sunny Breakfast) It took us through the need for food. The magical taste of San Xian noodles. How the loss/change of the taste would make us feel, the people with whom we eat and the atmosphere of where we eat.
2. Clothing "Chiisana Fashion Show" (A Small Fashion Show) It shows how fashion has changed the Clothing industry in a good/bad way (depends how you see it). And the people/models who work in this industry are working so hard to be at the top. Finally, it shows that just a normal type of clothing of your favourite colour made by your sister would make you feel better than a super-costly dress.
3. Shelter "Shanghai Koi" (Shanghai Love) It shows that the main character is interested in Architecture. Also, the area where he grew up will soon be demolished and renovated as it is kind of old currently and is in the middle of a great city. It also covers other important needs of life like Love, Education, and you know Life itself.
Post credits scene: Its kind of a happy scene where we see all these characters of individual stories at the same place very near to each other. And it shows how small and simple the world is but we just don't notice it.
It's really great to create an anime of such quality with such basic needs in life. I'm glad to notice this without reading the description of the Anime.
I've seen people comparing Shikioriori with Kimi no na wa and review Shikioriori as a bad anime that just copied the style. That's completely absurd. Both the anime are unique in their own style. And yes, the art looks like Kimi no na wa and its good. Because anyone would love to see an art with such great detail and quality. And that's one big factor we all watch anime.
Boring and unlikeable characters
eivindfolstad3 June 2020
There were no real character progression and most characters were either annoying or extremely bland. For three stories in one hour I was expecting it too be packed with story, but nothing really happens across the one hour runtime. The only redeemable quality is the animation and the soundtrack.
Delightful slice-of-life collection of stories
dgalvan-7396711 August 2018
I really enjoyed this Netflix anime. Something can always be learned from life stories, and this trio of short stories has something for everyone.
From the simple pleasures of a hot meal, to family, friendship and planning for the future, these stories are represented variously and concisely.
Although some of the character designs feel generic (mainly background characters and minor characters with brief appearances), the backgrounds are detailed and grand like any quality theatrical release.
The opening segment took a minute or two to find its footing, but I was rewarded by the quality of the animation, the warmth of the narrator's voice, and the poetry of the description.
After that first segment, I was more patient, allowing the rest of the film to wash over me like a warm bowl of San Xian noodles (the art of noodles figuring prominently in that first segment).
For a change, the setting is various cities and towns in China, which works for me, adding needed variety compared to seeing the usual City and town backdrops used in many anime depictions of Japan.
Be sure to watch past the final credits of the last segment, as there is an end credit scene (of course there is) that bookends with the opening scene at the airport.
I thought I would have to work to pay attention (I have ADD), but the brevity of each segment made it easy to follow along. The first segment is so warm and poetic, it brought a joyful tear to my eye.
The second segment took a little longer to get into, but the characters slowly developed (just like in real life, it takes time to get to know people), and the payoff was unexpectedly grand.
The final segment really could have been developed into its own story, but the brevity added to the drama and could easily be the best of the three stories. I suppose it could have been presented first, but then I would have missed out on that beautiful opening segment that really sets the tone for the rest of the film.
I really enjoyed the film. It reminds me of 5 CM Per Second and Only Yesterday, similar films which reward the viewer while relaxing and feeding your soul like a warm bowl of noodles.
This review is based on the international version, in Japanese with English subtitles.
From the simple pleasures of a hot meal, to family, friendship and planning for the future, these stories are represented variously and concisely.
Although some of the character designs feel generic (mainly background characters and minor characters with brief appearances), the backgrounds are detailed and grand like any quality theatrical release.
The opening segment took a minute or two to find its footing, but I was rewarded by the quality of the animation, the warmth of the narrator's voice, and the poetry of the description.
After that first segment, I was more patient, allowing the rest of the film to wash over me like a warm bowl of San Xian noodles (the art of noodles figuring prominently in that first segment).
For a change, the setting is various cities and towns in China, which works for me, adding needed variety compared to seeing the usual City and town backdrops used in many anime depictions of Japan.
Be sure to watch past the final credits of the last segment, as there is an end credit scene (of course there is) that bookends with the opening scene at the airport.
I thought I would have to work to pay attention (I have ADD), but the brevity of each segment made it easy to follow along. The first segment is so warm and poetic, it brought a joyful tear to my eye.
The second segment took a little longer to get into, but the characters slowly developed (just like in real life, it takes time to get to know people), and the payoff was unexpectedly grand.
The final segment really could have been developed into its own story, but the brevity added to the drama and could easily be the best of the three stories. I suppose it could have been presented first, but then I would have missed out on that beautiful opening segment that really sets the tone for the rest of the film.
I really enjoyed the film. It reminds me of 5 CM Per Second and Only Yesterday, similar films which reward the viewer while relaxing and feeding your soul like a warm bowl of noodles.
This review is based on the international version, in Japanese with English subtitles.
So bad
Xinxinuchiha13 June 2021
May not be a masterpiece but it's still a good movie
WeAreLive13 December 2018
Flavour of Youth has three stories( just like 5cm per second) and it is all based around China. The first one is called "The Rice Noodles" which is about a young man called Xiao Ming (Kendall Gimbi and Crispin Freeman) who had spent most of his time with his Grandmother (Dorothy Fahn) and has a nostalgic of Noodle soup in Beijing. The second chapter "A Little Fashion Show" is focusing on two sisters called Yin Lin (Evan Rachel Wood) and Lu Lu (Jona Xiao), one is a fashion designer and the other one is a modal, this segment mainly focus on Yin Lin and her devotion to protecting her sister and staying on top. The last chapter "Love in Shanghai" focus on three friends Li Mo (Ross Butler), Xiao Yu (Erica Mendez) and Pan (Tony Cavalero), Li Mo had a dream to confess and be with the girl he is in love with (Xiao Yu) and be in a house which all three of them could share but things go differently.
Overall this was a really good slice of life/romance movie, especially if you like Your Name and 5cm Per Second. I would definitely binge it. I am not sure where the sub is available but I watched the dub which I believe is available on Netflix if you would like to check it out.
As I sated on my Big Fish and Begonia review I am generally not a fan of chinese anime but this was again a really good change of pace. Especially because I got exposed to a bit of Chinese culture.
Overall this was a really good slice of life/romance movie, especially if you like Your Name and 5cm Per Second. I would definitely binge it. I am not sure where the sub is available but I watched the dub which I believe is available on Netflix if you would like to check it out.
As I sated on my Big Fish and Begonia review I am generally not a fan of chinese anime but this was again a really good change of pace. Especially because I got exposed to a bit of Chinese culture.
So bad it could be an DC movie
pashasalih14 August 2018
The pictures are great yes , but everything els is mediocore at best. peacing , story telling, dialog , chracters all so underwehmling that i could not bare to finish the movie. in fact i got angry at the utter idiocy the movie tryed to sell me as plot.
even the delightful animation turnt kinda source because of the poorly chosen shots.
such a great movie ! full of emotions 💛
zahorriim30 March 2020
Ok-ish
ludiivankv29 January 2020
I really like the idea behind this but it lacked execution.
Beautiful animation but rest of it was mediocre at best. Writing just feels rough around the edges it lack subtleties and nuances required to mame this type of stories work.
Beautiful animation but rest of it was mediocre at best. Writing just feels rough around the edges it lack subtleties and nuances required to mame this type of stories work.
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