DESCRIPTION

CAST

REVIEWS

• 

  CaninnTurtle

  79/100
  If you're a Mokoto Shinkai fan, you'll probably enjoy Flavors of Youth, especially the last story, Shanghai Love.

  I'll admit it, I'm a Shinkai fanboy. Though, its probably pretty obvious if you look at my scores and see my high scores for all of his movies. Something about his stories really strike a chord in me, even if he seemingly retells the same story over and over again. He could tell it probably a dozen more times and I'd still love them all. This is probably the biggest reason why I didn't dislike Flavors of Youth, despite it being a little bit lacking in the emotional investment department.

  Half of every great anime, but especially anime movies, comes from the visuals and soundtrack. It's an extremely rare occurrence when an anime movie can falter in one or both of these categories and still be considered decent. In the case of Flavors of Youth, it doesn't disappoint in either. The visuals are top notch, as expected from CoMix Wave, from which we got Your Name and Garden of Words, two of the most beautiful anime of all time. Also, big shout out to the San Xian noodles in the first story, Sunny Breakfast. Even now, I'm thinking back on those bad boys and getting hungry. The soundtrack for Flavors of Youth is really good, if not a little reserved. You'll not find anything quite as evocative as "Sparkle" from Your Name or as powerfully emotional as "A Rainy Morning" from the Garden of Words, but I'll cut it some slack, because it's quite a task to measure up to those masterful works anyway. The ending song, WALK by Vickeblanka is easily my favorite song on the soundtrack. The more I listen to it, the more I deeply appreciate it. If those earlier songs are their movies standout song, then WALK is definitely Flavors of Youth's.

  Now I can talk about the stories, which is where the main issues lie. I've already alluded to the first story, Sunny Breakfast, a little bit. Character-wise, it's probably the weakest of the three, but that's to be expected. After all, its a story about one guy narrating his youth and how many of his most cherished memories were spent eating San Xian noodles with his loved ones. It's actually kind of beautiful in its own simplistic way. I've heard a lot that this is most people's least favorite story in Flavors of Youth, but it may just be my favorite. At least, favorite based on the story.
  The second story, A Little Fashion Show, is probably the weakest in all aspects. I couldn't bring myself to like the characters very much and the story was really predictable. I'm not one to complain about simple stories, as is evidenced by my appreciation of the first story, but I'm a little less forgiving of the completely mundane story of A Little Fashion Show. It was just a mess of cliches with the message of....I'm really not sure actually. I guess you can say it was a coming of age story, but that just makes it sound even more generic and cliched.
  The third story, Shanghai Love, is the story that is most Shinkai-esque. In fact, it kind of mirrors 5 Centimeters per Second perfectly until the ending. Personally, I really liked the story and characters outside of the main boy, Limo. I mean, that boy was basically a walking mistake, he deserved neither his best friend or best girl with his attitude. But that's a personal gripe, I suppose.

  I feel like it's somewhat pointless to do a favorite character for this since there's only one character who got enough characterization to deserve the title, but oh well, I'll do it anyway.
  Favorite Character: Mistuh- I mean Shao Yu

  

  Yeah...Not much to add here, she was the best character by default, since she got the most development and actually has a personality. Also, she's Chinese Mitsuha, so bonus points.

  Despite me not loving Flavors of Youth, I'd still recommend it to anyone. It's so short and such a pure story that, even if you have gripes with it, you can still appreciate it for being what it is, a contemplation of short stories that each lean heavily on a different theme. The first on the cherished memories of eating with loved ones, the second on realizing that you must cherish your loved ones, and the third on communicating your feelings. Each of these themes are tackled really well, even if the surrounding story and characters aren't amazing. But if you have any appreciation for Mokoto Shinkai's work, then you'll probably enjoy the Flavors of Youth.

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• 

  CryingLad

  28/100
  Visually engaging. Not so much on the character and story end though.

  [This review will contain Spoilers for the movie!]()

  
  

  [(SPOILER AHEAD) STORY:]()
  The movie is split into three different stories. Each one has different cast of characters and theme to it.
  First part focuses on a boy called Xiao Ming, this tale shows us just how powerful edible produce can be.
  Second part is about two sisters, Y Lin and Lulu, as they venture into the world of fashion. One wants to become a clothes designer and the other wants to stay a popular model.
  Last part is a tale of love. A young lad, Limo, digs out an old player and remembers his childhood with this gal.

  ...Yeah thats all I can pretty much summarise for this, there really isn't much memorable or worth exploring deeper. Each story does have a deeper meaning for sure but its just not as impactful as the other stories I've seen.
  This is one of the reason I rated this show so low. It doesn't really go out of its way to engage you, it just exists.

  

  
  

  [CHARACTERS:]()
  The characters present in this movie were quite bland. They really aren't that memorable.
  They really felt like some placeholders in a show, just there to fill in that arc. Not what I'd call main characters.
  This is the second reason why this movie is rated so low for me, there is no one I can look back on and think "wow, I really liked how they did this".

  

  
  

  [ART/ANIMATION:]()
  Visually this movie isn't bad. Its actually quite good, which is to be expected from the people who made "Your name."
  The animation is smooth, the artstyle is gorgeous. The colour palette is quite bright most of the time, especially when happy memories are shown. This gives off the impression that the happy times are over and now we have to deal with the sad present, this is especially apparent in the last part of the movie (Shanghai Koi).

  

  
  

  [MUSIC:]()
  The music. It was interesting enough to make me watch more of the movie. Though that being said it was nothing that special.
  It did fit the mood found in the scene shown but not much beyond that. When I hear it again I'm not taken back to remember the scene this played on like with many other media.

  

  
  

  [OVERALL OPINION:]()
  Coming from the creators of "Your name." this is quite the disappointment.
  The characters were bland. The Stories weren't memorable. The OST was average.
  The only strong point this movie has in my opinion is the animation and art style, but that alone isn't enough to make me rate this any higher.

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• 

  Insaneahrix

  90/100
  The movie makes you realize, How everyone lives in a different world, even if its the same place,

  Review of Flavors of Youth

  Flavors of Youth feels like one of those quiet movies that don’t scream for attention but sit with you, leaving you reflective and maybe even a little nostalgic. It's an anthology of three stories that revolve around food, clothing, and shelter, but it’s not just about the literal meanings of those things—it dives into how they connect to memory, relationships, and personal growth. The film is subtle, poetic, and hits harder the more you think about it.

  1. The Rice Noodles (Food)

  This is the most nostalgic story. A young man reminisces about the San Xian noodles he used to eat as a kid. They were perfect, not just because of their taste, but because of the memories tied to them—the warmth of home, the innocence of childhood. As he grows up, no matter how many places he tries, nothing captures that same magic. Only when he goes back to his hometown and tastes those noodles again does he realize the real flavor wasn’t just the recipe but the moments tied to it.
  My thoughts: This one is all about how small things, like food, can feel larger than life when connected to memories.

  2. A Little Fashion Show (Clothing)

  This story hits differently—it’s more about insecurities and how we deal with them. It follows a model struggling with aging and competition, feeling replaced by younger talent, and losing herself in the process. Her bond with her younger sister, who’s passionate about designing clothes, is the heart of the story. The turning point comes when she realizes her sister doesn’t see her as a "failing model" but as someone she admires. It’s about finding value in yourself and the people who truly matter.

  My thoughts: This story feels super relatable in today’s social media world, where comparison and self-doubt are so common. We have clouded our vision, we are trying to achieve something superficial which is far away from us, while ignoring all the people who love us and precious things we already have. And sometimes we justify our own desires by saying we are doing it for someone.

  3. Love in Shanghai (Shelter)

  This was my favorite—Becaue I've been through this one.
  It’s got that bittersweet, emotional punch that stays with you.
  It’s about a guy finding an old cassette tape from his childhood friend, which triggers memories of their friendship and unspoken love. When they were kids, they planned of building a house for the three of them, but as time went by all of them went their separate ways.
  The flashbacks are full of small, quiet moments, but they hit hard. The ending, where he listens to the tape and realizes what she meant to him, is heartbreaking.
  Only if he had listened to that tape,
  Also Fuck parents mannn. In the name of career they drain kids out of happiness,
  My thoughts: This one is about missed chances and how life moves on, even if your heart doesn’t.

  Animation & Music 10/10

  Visually, Flavors of Youth is gorgeous. The food looks mouthwatering, the fashion is sleek, and the cityscapes feel alive. Each story has its own vibe, but they all share this soft, pastel-like beauty that fits the reflective tone. The music isn’t loud or dramatic, but it’s perfectly placed to underline the emotional beats. It’s the kind of soundtrack that sneaks up on you and makes you feel things without realizing it.

  Themes & Perspective 10/10

  Ik many people say that they couldn't connect with the characters and all. I'd say if you look beyond the screens you would never. This was one of those movies which allows us viewers to live those lives by allowing us to imagine ourself in the stories,
  What stands out about this movie is how it’s less about big, dramatic moments and more about the small, everyday things that shape us—food, clothes, a cassette tape. It’s about how our lives are defined by the connections we make and the memories we carry. The final scene, where characters from all three stories cross paths, drives home the idea that we all live such different lives, but we share the same emotions. It’s a subtle reminder that everyone has a story, and we often judge without understanding.

  Final Thoughts
  If you’re into fast-paced action or crazy twists, this movie isn’t for you. But if you like quiet, reflective stories with stunning visuals and meaningful themes, Flavors of Youth is a gem. It’s not just a movie; it’s an experience about life, nostalgia, and the little things that make it all worthwhile.

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