Sumikkogurashi:
The Patched-up Factory in Woods | 2023 | 1h 10m
Genre:
Animation / Family / Fantasy | Country: Japan
Cast:
Manami Honjô
IMDB:
6.8
My
Rate: 7/10
Sumikko’s journey to find a missing button from a doll leads them to a toy factory, where they unexpectedly become employees. What starts as a comfortable job slowly turns frightening as the mystery of the factory is gradually revealed.
Synopsis:
Shirokuma
receives a stuffed bear from his brother who lives in the Arctic. The bear,
though no longer perfect, still holds a lot of meaning for him. However, during
its delivery, one of the buttons goes missing. Shirokuma and his friends decide
to go on a search to find it.
Their
search brings them to a toy factory, where they meet the bear manager. The next
day, the manager asks them to work as employees in the factory. They’re given
great facilities—private rooms, plenty of food, and more.
As
time passes, the work targets become increasingly demanding, and the factory
seems to care less about their condition. Strange things begin to happen,
making Sumikko suspicious of what’s really going on—especially after they see
that the toys they’ve made are causing chaos in the city.
Will
they be able to uncover the mystery behind the factory?
Review:
Imagine
if the toys you own came to life and had souls.
In Sumikkogurashi:
The Patched-up Factory in Woods, viewers are invited to explore the process
of creating toys meant to bring happiness. But behind that pure desire to make
others happy hides an obsession that slowly turns into something frightening.
It’s a simple idea, but one with deep meaning.
The
story begins by introducing each character—their names, personalities, and
traits that instantly make them feel familiar and lovable. The plot flows
calmly and neatly. With minimal dialogue and soft narration, the story remains
easy to follow. Every movement and expression from the characters is enough to
convey their emotions.
The
premise is simple: the search for Shirokuma’s bear button that got lost during
the trip. Their search leads them to a toy factory, where they meet the bear
manager and eventually start working there. But behind the warmth and comfort
of the place, strange things start to happen. The tension rises when they
discover that the toys made in the factory are actually causing havoc in the
city.
The
ending feels soft and touching. We see clear character growth—the factory
finally finds its true self, and Shirokuma finds a replacement button. The
button becomes a symbol of a new journey: about the past, memories, and the
courage to let go. The mystery unfolds gently, leaving a sense of relief that
closes the story beautifully.
Visually,
the animation looks simple yet rich with soft colors, making it perfect for
kids—though it’s best watched with guidance so they can understand the message
behind it. Each character has a distinct and consistent personality from start
to finish. The animation flows smoothly, and though the slow pacing and quiet
tone might feel a bit dull for some viewers, it complements the film’s calm
nature.
Sumikkogurashi:
The Patched-up Factory in Woods reminds us that the desire to make others
happy isn’t wrong—but an obsession with our own version of happiness can hurt
those we care about.
“Memories and familiarity will always bring warmth to the human heart. But learning to move forward is also a source of happiness.”
Memorable
Scene:
The
factory starts losing itself to sadness. The Sumikkos hug it tightly, showing
that it’s not alone. In this scene, we realize that sometimes all we need is to
be held close—to feel seen, so we can rise again and rediscover who we are.
Memorable
Dialogue:
“They’ll never leave a soul who’s crying.”
Ending:
Happy EndingRecommendation:
Worth to Watch(Aluna)
 – When Toys Teach Us About the Heart){kind=link}
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