MesmeroWatch list, 0 saved

Movie
Poster for The Case of Hana & Alice

The Case of Hana & Alice

2015 · 98 min

A quirky, gentle mystery that feels like a nostalgic, playful exploration of teenage friendship and first love.

Directed by
Shunji Iwai
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Mystery
Starring
Yu Aoi, Anne Suzuki, Ryo Katsuji
Tagline
Don't step on the fish in the pool.
Overview
After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai.

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Search YouTube for a trailer

Add to a list: The Case of Hana & Alice

You have no lists yet. Name one, and this title goes into it.

All your lists

In the UKNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.
Directed by
Shunji Iwai
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Mystery
Starring
Yu Aoi, Anne Suzuki, Ryo Katsuji
In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • whimsicalstrength 3 of 3
  • lightstrength 2 of 3
  • warmstrength 2 of 3
  • melancholicstrength 1 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • friendship
  • identity
  • coming-of-age
  • isolation
  • love
Places
  • small town
  • school
  • home
Era
contemporary
Audience
teen
Form
  • animated
  • nonlinear
Content intensity
  • Gore none
  • Language mild
  • Violence mild
  • Sex none
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action2
Horror1
Humour6
Realism7
Romance4
Tension4
Darkness3
Complexity5
Emotional weight5

More like this

Titles like The Case of Hana & Alice

Movie

Hana & Alice

2004

A gentle, meandering teen story that feels like a hazy memory, balancing sweet comedy with quiet emotional moments.

Same director: Shunji Iwai · Whimsical, light · about friendship and identity · nonlinear

Also
Same director: Shunji Iwai
Via
  • whimsical
  • light
  • friendship
  • identity
  • nonlinear
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
135 min
Details
Hana & AliceHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Spirited Away

2001

A mesmerizing plunge into a strange, beautiful spirit world that is both wondrous and unsettling, anchored by a quiet girl's brave journey.

Whimsical, warm · about identity and coming-of-age · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • warm
  • identity
  • coming-of-age
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
125 min
Details
Spirited AwayHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Teasing Master Takagi-san

2018–2022

A gentle, playful watch full of small teasing moments and soft blushes that leaves you smiling.

Whimsical, light · about friendship and identity · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • light
  • friendship
  • identity
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Seasons
3
Details
Teasing Master Takagi-sanHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

A Silent Voice: The Movie

2016

A tender, painful coming-of-age story about guilt and forgiveness that lingers with quiet emotional force.

Warm · about friendship and coming-of-age · nonlinear

Via
  • warm
  • friendship
  • coming-of-age
  • nonlinear
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
129 min
Details
A Silent Voice: The MovieHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Kiki's Delivery Service

1989

A gentle, charming flight through a young witch's struggles, blending whimsy with quiet moments of doubt and self-discovery.

Whimsical, warm · about friendship and identity · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • warm
  • friendship
  • identity
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
103 min
Details
Kiki's Delivery ServiceHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Booksmart

2019

A wildly funny, warm-hearted ride that captures the bittersweet joy of teenage friendship and last-chance adventures.

Whimsical, light · about friendship and identity

Via
  • whimsical
  • light
  • friendship
  • identity
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
102 min
Details
BooksmartHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!

2012–2014

A sweet, silly high-school romance that mixes goofy fantasy roleplay with gentle, sincere feelings about growing up.

Whimsical, light · about friendship and identity · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • light
  • friendship
  • identity
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Seasons
2
Details
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!Hidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Hyouka

2012

A gentle, beautifully drawn slice of life where small mysteries unfold with quiet curiosity and warmth.

Light, warm · about friendship and identity

Via
  • light
  • warm
  • friendship
  • identity
Pacing
slow-burn
Attention
engaged
Seasons
1
Details
HyoukaHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Mirai

2018

A gentle, imaginative journey through a child's jealousy and family history, blending everyday tantrums with magical encounters that feel tender and quietly moving.

Whimsical, warm · about identity and coming-of-age · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • warm
  • identity
  • coming-of-age
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
98 min
Details
MiraiHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Mary and Max

2009

A bittersweet, funny-sad stop-motion journey through loneliness and friendship that lingers like a handwritten letter.

Whimsical, warm · about friendship and identity · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • warm
  • friendship
  • identity
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
92 min
Details
Mary and MaxHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Bridge to Terabithia

2007

A gentle childhood friendship story that quietly turns devastating, leaving you tender and tearful long after the credits.

Whimsical, warm · about friendship and coming-of-age

Via
  • whimsical
  • warm
  • friendship
  • coming-of-age
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
95 min
Details
Bridge to TerabithiaHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

A Whisker Away

2020

A whimsical yet emotionally earnest coming-of-age fantasy that balances lighthearted charm with genuine heartache and magical wonder.

Whimsical · about identity and coming-of-age · animated

Via
  • whimsical
  • identity
  • coming-of-age
  • animated
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
104 min
Details
A Whisker AwayHidden from your suggestions.

Where to watch in the UK

No UK streaming, rental or purchase options are known.

Streaming data from JustWatch.TMDB

Details

Genres
animation, comedy, mystery
Directed by
Shunji Iwai
Written by
Shunji Iwai
Starring
Yu Aoi, Anne Suzuki, Ryo Katsuji, Haru Kuroki, Tae Kimura, Sei Hiraizumi, Shoko Aida, Ranran Suzuki
Music
Shunji Iwai
Cinematography
Chigi Kanbe
Runtime
98 min
Country
Japan
Languages
Japanese

TMDBIMDbLetterboxdWikipediaWikidata