“Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary”: A Blend of Warmth and Whimsy
According to viewers, the currently showing “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary” might just be an average installment in the “Crayon Shin-chan” movie series, but it still manages to deliver warmth and touching moments.
A Summer Adventure with Dinosaurs
This film marks the 31st animated feature in the “Crayon Shin-chan” franchise, based on the original manga by Yoshito Usui. While it may not reach the heights of acclaimed works like “Crayon Shin-chan: Adult Empire Strikes Back” (2001), “Crayon Shin-chan: The Kasukabe Boys in the Evening Sun” (2004), or “Crayon Shin-chan: School Mystery! The Splendid Tenkasu Kasukabe Academy” (2021), “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary” still offers a unique viewing experience.
The story unfolds with a summer encounter, as Shinnosuke Nohara and the Kasukabe Defense Force befriend a dinosaur named “Nana.” However, their peaceful days are disrupted when a giant dinosaur goes on a rampage through the city, plunging it into chaos. To protect their families and friends, the Kasukabe members, along with their new companion Nana, embark on a fierce battle against the forces of evil.
Familiar Tropes with a Touch of Freshness
Some viewers have noted that the film’s plot feels like a blend of “Jurassic Park,” “Godzilla,” and “Pacific Rim,” presented in a child-friendly format. They point out that the content can feel somewhat simplistic, and the characters’ actions lack strong logical reasoning. The villains are also seen as stereotypical and predictable, while the main characters seem to fall back on their usual, well-known behaviors.
Heartwarming Moments Amidst the Chaos
Despite its shortcomings, “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary” introduces some novel elements. It’s the first film in the series to focus on dinosaurs and the second to feature Shiro, the Nohara family’s dog, as a central character. The friendship between Shiro and Nana, transcending species, and the summer days Nana spends with the Nohara family and the Kasukabe Defense Force, offer heartwarming moments. Nana’s love for bananas and her joy in playing in an inflatable pool are captured in Shin-chan’s summer diary, evoking a sense of carefree childhood and pure joy.
In one scene, Shin-chan gets scratched by Nana’s claws but insists he fell, and Hiroshi, his father, doesn’t challenge this small lie, showcasing the gentle protection adults offer to children’s world.
Absurdity and Childlike Wonder
During the dinosaur attack in the latter half of the film, the appearance of “dinosaur girl groups” and “dinosaur gachapon” elicits laughter from the audience. The Kasukabe Defense Force’s counterattacks are equally absurd: Shin-chan uses his butt dance, Bo-chan uses his snot, and Nene relies on her charm. These six kindergarteners “fighting dinosaurs with their bare hands” to save the world is both comical and heartwarming.
When Nana becomes enraged and starts attacking, the biologist wants to kill the creature she created, but Shin-chan and his friends insist on reasoning with Nana. No matter how absurd the situation, “Crayon Shin-chan” remains fundamentally warm, using the power of love to solve every problem.
A Popular Franchise
The film has been a hit in Japan, breaking the series’ opening weekend box office record and grossing $30.55 million worldwide. It is also the second consecutive year that a “Crayon Shin-chan” film has been released in Chinese cinemas. As of now, the film has grossed 73.88 million RMB in China after six days of release.
The “Crayon Shin-chan” anime first aired in Japan in 1992. The mischievous and clueless Shin-chan, with his unconventional thinking and occasional lecherousness, often displays surprising wisdom. The anime quickly gained popularity, and in 1993, the first “Crayon Shin-chan” film, “Action Kamen vs. Higure Rakshasa,” was released. Since then, a new “Crayon Shin-chan” film has been released annually in Japanese cinemas, becoming a beloved tradition.