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Poster for Ringing Bell

Ringing Bell

Seen it?

1978 | 46 min | Animation, Drama, Family

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for families.
The mood
Emotional (bring tissues), feel-good.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 46 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1978: an older pace and style.

Chirin is an innocent though adventurous young lamb whose carefree life on the farm comes to an abrupt end when a wolf murders his mother. Confused and angry, Chirin pursues the wolf into the mountains, seeking revenge. The laws of nature are brutal, however, and hatred alone won't be enough to avenge the loss of his mother. Only the strong survive in the wild, and obtaining that strength may change Chirin forever.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 47K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Masami Hata

  • Akira KamiyaChirin (voice)
  • Minori MatsushimaBaby Chirin (voice)
  • Seizo KatoWolf (voice)
  • Hitoshi TakagiNarrator (voice)
  • Taeko NakanishiChirin's Mother (voice)