On the first Saturday night of Pride Month 2025, I opted for an unusual choice – watching a 1985 animated film called ‘Penguin’s Memory: Shiawase Monogatari,’ also known as ‘Penguin’s Memory: A Tale of Happiness.’ This hand-drawn movie follows the story of penguins (that bear a striking resemblance to their Club Penguin counterparts) dealing with trauma, family tension, and the challenges of forming emotional bonds. It’s not your typical Saturday night entertainment for a twenty-something, but it certainly was captivating.
This film appears to be a bizarre, yet intriguing, dreamlike scenario, the kind that would spark endless discussions in movie-centric online communities. Remarkably, it features protagonists who were once mascots for Suntory beer, which seems as unlikely as a Geico gecko leading a heavy drama about the opioid epidemic. However, life sometimes offers unexpected delights. Against all expectations, Penguin’s Memory: Shiawase Monogatari transforms into a deeply moving and engaging drama, boasting charming (and cute) characters that leave a lasting impression.
As a seasoned movie critic, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing countless films, but none quite like “Penguin’s Memory.” Koichi Sato brilliantly portrays Mike, a former soldier who served in the fictional Delta War. The film’s prologue, set amidst the battlefield, draws heavily on the gritty, war-torn imagery reminiscent of classics like “Platoon” or “Apocalypse Now.”
It’s during a perilous mission behind enemy lines where we encounter Mike, a penguin with a penchant for poetry, navigating the treacherous terrain alongside his comrades Al and Tom. In this early scene, director Kimura effectively sets the tone for the raw, introspective atmosphere that defines “Penguin’s Memory.”
Unlike contemporary adult-oriented animations such as “Sausage Party” or “America: The Motion Picture,” which rely on shock value to establish their aesthetics, “Penguin’s Memory” offers a depth and maturity that transcends the mere novelty of animated figures uttering profanities or partaking in vices. Instead, this film delves into profound themes and characters, providing a thought-provoking viewing experience that goes beyond the surface-level amusement.
In the opening scene of “Penguin’s Memory,” the penguins are seen brandishing large weapons and engaging in intense battles against their foes at night. It’s important to note that the humor here is not intended, as the focus is on the challenging psychological scenarios these penguins encounter. The creators of “Penguin’s Memory” successfully draw viewers in, making us care deeply about Mike and his companions, much like Kimura and his team do. This immediate immersion into the action establishes our empathy for this underdog group. A brief, peaceful conversation between Mike and Tom during this prologue also showcases the leisurely, dialogue-focused narrative style of “Penguin’s Memory.” During this initial portion of the film, we also get a glimpse of the moral complexity that pervades the story, as the three penguins encounter exhausted citizens fleeing for safety.
When helicopters from Mike’s side of the conflict make an appearance, they don’t bring a sudden feeling of optimism and happiness. Instead, they unleash gunfire upon innocent civilians, including young children. In the ensuing turmoil, Tom and Al meet their tragic end, with Tom’s heart-wrenching final moments (captured only by his piercing screams in the soundtrack, devoid of any accompanying orchestral music), leaving a lasting impact. Penguin’s Memory skillfully weaves essential narrative elements and an emotionally resonant atmosphere right from this brief introduction. It serves as a compelling preview for the larger story, where Mike comes back to America with a broken arm, still haunted by the brutality he experienced abroad. Despite his loved ones eagerly waiting for gruesome war tales, Mike is all too aware of the horrors that unfolded there.
The straightforward illustrations in Penguin’s Memories, featuring round penguins often without clothes, effectively capture Mike’s suppressed anguish. Although his vacant gaze is adorable, it also holds a haunting vagueness. His sleek design and facial expressions are brilliant, conveying that he’s a mere shadow of his former self. Powerful images of Mike (after leaving home to wander), solemnly peering out from a train window or aimlessly walking down the street, carry such poignancy due to this aspect. No matter how much you invest in lifelike Lion King animation, none of those creatures will ever possess the raw humanity that the unapologetically cartoonish and strikingly simple characters of Mike from Penguin’s Memory have.
The designs of these characters truly stand out due to the production’s choice to forgo dialogue in certain scenes, making them even more impactful. For instance, Mike’s heartrending scene of leaving home in the dead of night and giving his little sister a locket is made more poignant by the absence of dialog. Furthermore, omitting an orchestral score during the Delta War prologue intensifies the emotional impact as it feels like we, the viewers, are gathered around a campfire with the penguins. The scarcity of music in the early scenes depicting Mike’s bond with his pet bird Chicho also highlights the authenticity of their relationship. This silent bond between pet and owner is particularly touching within these minimalistic settings because it allows us to fully appreciate how caring for another living being helps Mike break free from the shell of violence.
Experiencing when to tone down music and dialogue allows Penguin’s Memory’s most striking auditory elements, such as Jill’s singing or a melancholic harmonica on the soundtrack, to leave an indelible impression. Shinji Kimura’s keen eye for visual storytelling is evident in the chilling depictions of a forlorn Mike sitting at a booth or leaving a courthouse amid snowfall. The distorted quality of Delta War images during the climax (not forgetting the seamless transitions between past and present) adds another layer of hypnotic visual detail.
Interestingly enough, the decision to focus this tale on penguins with a warm, endearing appearance mirrors the thoughtful symbolism present in “Penguin’s Memory.” Prior to this film, Mike and Jill were well-known as beer mascots, but they’ve transformed into captivating characters here. This transformation is intentional, as it explains their adorable appearances. However, beyond being a fun animated movie, “Penguin’s Memory” employs these animals to delve into profound themes such as trauma and intricate familial relationships. In reality, mental health struggles are universal, not exclusive to those who appear to be struggling or belong to specific economic groups.
In a seemingly light-hearted and cartoonish world, the penguins’ emotional depth and vulnerability are strikingly realistic. At first glance, characters like Mike, Jill, and their friends appear untouched by real-world struggles. However, beneath their cute exterior lies an unseen battle that each character endures. The animated film, Penguin’s Memory, bravely unearths profound emotions from the most unlikely characters. It excels in this endeavor through its sincere storytelling, vivid visuals, and authentic voice acting. This movie is a testament to the complexities of dealing with one’s past, as well as the potential for wisdom to emerge from anyone – even romantic adversaries. The film’s wisdom permeates the intricate character interactions and Mike’s struggle with his mental turmoil, offering a poignant portrayal of human-like emotions in our feathered friends.
The movie, featuring chatty penguins trapped in a timeless era with inconsistent technology and vehicles from various decades, strikes an emotionally relatable chord. Through its skillful use of animation, it underscores the fact that personal battles are universal and can be found in every individual.
In me, Mike’s pain stirred an emotional connection and transported me into a captivating realm that felt otherworldly. The fact that Penguin’s Memory not only excels as a visual spectacle, but also as a testament to its dedication to portray penguins authentically, is simply remarkable. The exquisite landscapes, particularly the more naturalistic ones, are truly breathtaking. Additionally, charming details such as the way all the penguins waddle around instead of walking like humans, are both amusing and a heartwarming reflection of this production’s dedication to maintaining its penguin-focused essence. This isn’t a story about penguins that mimic human behavior; it’s a tale about penguins proudly waddling their adorable forms everywhere, as they should!
In a creative twist, an upbeat melody is used in the opening scene of the film to present Jill, one of the pivotal characters in “Penguin’s Memory”. As she playfully frolics across a green meadow with the children she cares for, her self-assured demeanor shines. This lively tune serves as an unexpected choice in a movie about wartime trauma, yet it effectively introduces Jill and highlights the stark contrast between her spirit and that of Mike. It’s difficult to envision Mike ever humming or participating in a musical number, which makes their developing romantic connection even more captivating. This unique blend of heavy themes with animated characters and musical interludes might be the key to creating compelling cinema, as seen in both “Penguin’s Memory” and “Better Man”.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m always in awe of the wonders that cinema holds. Each new flick promises to take me on an unexpected journey, and “Penguin’s Memory: Shiawase Monogatari” is one such ride that left me spellbound. The way it skillfully intertwines upbeat musical sequences with profound investigations into post-war emotional turmoil leaves me in awe. I never imagined that heartrending moments of an animated penguin physician delivering eloquent soliloquies about affection and sentimentality against the backdrop of autumn would resonate so deeply. Truly, this movie is one of the most remarkable discoveries I’ve made in my cinematic journey.
In this movie, many parts seem improbable or unworkable on paper, but they come to life brilliantly in practice. The film is filled with bold creativity, obvious affection for its animated penguins, and stunning visuals (did I mention how adorable the characters look?). All of these elements make Penguin’s Memory: Shiawase Monogatari a movie you simply must see. If beer mascots can carry such an emotional story, perhaps the Geico gecko could star in that dramatic opioid tale too…
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2025-06-11 15:15