Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 (2019): Cast & Ratings
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 is a 2019 adventure fantasy film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Akihiko Yamashita, starring Machiko Ono as Mama (segment "Samurai eggu"), Min Tanaka and Fumino Kimura. It runs 53 minutes and earned $178,027 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 53 min
- Directors
- Hiromasa Yonebayashi , Akihiko Yamashita and Yoshiyuki Momose
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- GKIDS
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 About?
The premise of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 without spoilers.
This anthology presents three short films—Kanini & Kanino, Life Ain’t Gonna Lose, and Invisible—each exploring unique stories of courage and resilience. Through captivating visuals and heartfelt narratives, the films redefine heroism by portraying ordinary individuals facing remarkable circumstances. Studio Ponoc showcases its talent for dynamic action, emotional depth, and imaginative worlds in this vibrant collection celebrating the art of short filmmaking.
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Themes & Keywords
· 15 tags- anthology
- anthology film
- animation anthology
- crab
- egg
- samurai
- anime
- invisible
- invisibility
- animated anthology
- japanese animation
- drawn animation
+3 more Show fewer
- traditional animation
- underwater scene
- anime animation
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Cast & Characters
Machiko Ono leads the cast as Mama (segment "Samurai eggu"), with Min Tanaka as Mômoku no otoko (segment "Tômei ningen") and Fumino Kimura as Kanîni (segment "Kanîni to Kanîno"). Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Akihiko Yamashita and Yoshiyuki Momose; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Co-director Hiromasa Yonebayashi - Co-director Akihiko Yamashita
- Co-director Yoshiyuki Momose
-
Machiko Ono as Mama (segment "Samurai eggu") -
Min Tanaka as Mômoku no otoko (segment "Tômei ningen") -
Fumino Kimura as Kanîni (segment "Kanîni to Kanîno") -
Maggie Q as Mom (segment "Life Ain't Gonna Lose")
Also Starring in Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1
· 6 more- Liam O'Brien The Invisible Man (segment "Invisible")
- Rio Suzuki Kanîno (segment "Kanîni to Kanîno")
- Henry Kaufman Shun (segment "Life Ain't Gonna Lose")
- Kentarô Sakaguchi Papa (segment "Samurai eggu"), Isha (segment "Samurai eggu")
- Sôta Shinohara Shun (segment "Samurai eggu")
- Jô Odagiri
More from the Directors of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1
More films directed by the directors of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1, best-rated first: When Marnie Was There, The Imaginary, Mary and The Witch's Flower and NiNoKuni.
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Echo Score Breakdown
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 excels in its visual presentation and sound design, offering a cohesive sensory experience across three distinct segments. While the narrative coherence varies—with the first short feeling underdeveloped and the latter two delivering stronger emotional stakes—the anthology maintains an engaging pace overall. Character depth and emotional resonance shine most in the grounded second story and the poignant third segment. Despite its brief runtime and uneven plot quality, the collection remains a satisfying showcase of Studio Ponoc’s craft and thematic ambitions.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the anthology delivers consistently appealing animation and production design. Reviewers praised the watercolor-inspired textures, inventive world-building, and polished cinematography, noting only occasional awkward CGI blending in the first short. The editing supports each segment’s tone effectively, resulting in a visually engaging collection.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, the second and third stories provide the most compelling depth and resonance. Observers highlighted the mother-child dynamic and the invisible man’s struggle for connection, both evoking genuine empathy. The first segment’s minimal dialogue offers charm but limits emotional engagement. Overall, characters leave a solid, if uneven, impact.
- Story & Flow 70
The story and flow of the anthology present a mixed experience. The opening short’s simple premise and repetitive structure feel thin, whereas the second narrative brings grounding through relatable stakes and measured pacing. The third offers an original premise and sustained engagement. These fluctuations yield an overall narrative that is engaging but inconsistent.
- Sensory Experience 85
In terms of sensory experience, the film excels with an evocative soundtrack and refined sound design that complement its visual style. Users lauded the orchestral score, subtle environmental effects, and cohesive color palettes. Each segment’s distinct aesthetic and audio choices work together to create a memorable and immersive viewing experience.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Regarding rewatch factor, the anthology offers moderate appeal for repeated viewings. The charming art style and thematic variety encourage revisits, while the uneven pacing and concise runtime may limit sustained interest for some viewers. Nonetheless, the stronger segments retain enough depth to warrant occasional reengagement.
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IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
8 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Box Office
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 grossed $178,027 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$178K
- US & Canada
- $178K
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 [Official US Trailer, GKIDS - Jan 10 & 12]
- Clip
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 Also Known As
34 alternative titles, including “Ponoc Tanpen Gekijō” and “Ponokku tanpen gekijô: Chiisana eiyû - Kani to tamago to tômei ningen”.
- Also known as
-
- Ponoc Tanpen Gekijō
- Ponokku tanpen gekijô: Chiisana eiyû - Kani to tamago to tômei ningen
- Ponoc Short Films Theatre: Volume 1 - Modest Heroes
- ポノック短編劇場 ちいさな英雄 ―カニとタマゴと透明人間―
- Les petits héros : les crabes et les oeufs et l'homme invisible
- Chiisana Eiyuu: Kani to Tamago to Toumei Ningen
- 작은 영웅 게와 달걀과 투명인간
- Eroi modesti: Ponoc Short Films Theatre
- Volume 1 - Modest Heroes
- Invisible
- Life Ain't Gonna Lose
- Kanini & Kanino
+22 more Show fewer
- Kanini and Kanino
- 작은 영웅: 게와 달걀과 투명인간
- 謙虛的英雄
- Bescheidene Helden
- ฮีโร่เดินดิน: ภาพยนตร์สั้นจาก Studio Ponoc
- Eroi modesti - Ponoc Short Films Theatre
- Héros modestes
- Héroes humildes
- 小小的英雄：螃蟹与蛋与透明人
- Heróis modestos: Cinema de Curtas da Ponoc
- Chiisana Eiyû: Kani to Tamago to Tômei Ningen
- Héroes Modestos
- Szerény hősök
- Chiisana Eiyuu - Kani to Tamago to Toumei Ningen
- Bescheidene Helden: Ponoc Short Films Theatre
- ฮี่โร่เดินดิน
- Ταπεινοί Ήρωες
- Скромні герої: Краб, яйце та невидимка
- 3 истории от студии Ponoc
- Những Người Hùng Thầm Lặng
- Kanini eta Kanino
- Skromni bohaterowie: Krótkie filmy Studia Ponoc
Seen Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1?
Movies Like Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Modest Heroes, Ani*Kuri15 and Fantastic Animation Festival.
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 runs 53 minutes.
When was Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 released?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 was released on January 10, 2019.
Who directed Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Akihiko Yamashita and Yoshiyuki Momose.
More films by Hiromasa Yonebayashi Who is in the cast of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 stars Machiko Ono as Mama (segment "Samurai eggu"), Min Tanaka as Mômoku no otoko (segment "Tômei ningen") and Fumino Kimura as Kanîni (segment "Kanîni to Kanîno"), among 10 credited actors.
How much did Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 make at the box office?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 grossed $178,027 worldwide.
How is Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 rated?
Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 66% on TMDB, 3.4/5 on Letterboxd and 2.3/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 have a post-credit scene?
No. Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 in?
The original language of Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films Theatre, Volume 1 is Japanese.
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