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Animated drama

Napping Princess (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Napping Princess (2017) movie poster

Napping Princess is a 2017 animated drama directed by Kenji Kamiyama, starring Mitsuki Takahata as Morikawa Kokone, Enshen, Brina Palencia and Yôsuke Eguchi. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature at the Annie Awards 2018. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
award nomination
1
Napping Princess (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Kenji Kamiyama
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Animation
Original language
Japanese
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Napping Princess About?

The premise of Napping Princess without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

As Tokyo prepares to host the Olympics, 17-year-old Kokone Morikawa escapes into elaborate daydreams filled with fantastical machines. When her mysterious, mechanically-inclined father suddenly disappears, Kokone and her childhood friend, Morio, set off on a captivating journey through her dreamscapes. They must decipher hidden clues and confront the blurring lines between dreams and reality to uncover the truth about his disappearance and unravel the secrets of their family's history.

Napping Princess Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • traditional animation
  • anime animation
  • female protagonist
  • dream
  • watermelon
  • grandfather
  • train
  • shared dream
  • sidecar
  • tablet computer
  • police arrest
  • arrest
+14 more
  • police
  • cemetery
  • texting
  • eating
  • father daughter relationship
  • plush toy
  • king
  • traffic jam
  • factory
  • dream sequence
  • voice over
  • animal companion
  • bullet train
  • year 2020
Where to watch

Where to Watch Napping Princess

Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Napping Princess Cast & Characters

Mitsuki Takahata leads the cast as Morikawa Kokone, Enshen, with Brina Palencia as Kokone Morikawa, Ancien and Yôsuke Eguchi as Morikawa Momotarô, Pîchi. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Napping Princess

· 6 more
Ratings

Napping Princess Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Napping Princess 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (60).

66 /100

Napping Princess Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Napping Princess delivers a moderately engaging experience marked by imaginative direction and relatable emotional core. The film’s inventive visual design and science fiction elements provide vibrant world-building, though occasional plot convolution and uneven pacing undercut its coherence. Character relationships are warmly drawn but sometimes feel obscured by shifting narrative threads. Soundtrack and sound design bolster the film’s enchanting quality, even if certain transitions feel abrupt. In sum, the film offers enjoyable fantasy-driven entertainment with enough charm to merit a single viewing, though its narrative inconsistencies temper its lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Napping Princess presents vibrant production design and inventive direction that showcase an imaginative visual palette. Critics and users praised the imaginative world-building and dynamic science fiction sequences, citing spectacular imagery in dreamscapes. Some noted mechanical tendencies in action scenes and uneven editing transitions that diminish cohesion. Overall, the film’s art and craft contribute positively to its atmosphere despite occasional lapses in visual consistency.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    In terms of character and emotion, the film offers warmly drawn family relationships and emotive interactions at its core. Audiences responded to affectionate depictions of parent-child bonds and heartfelt chemistry amidst fantasy sequences. However, some viewers found character depth diluted by multiple narrative threads and occasional emotional detachment in transition scenes. Ultimately, the character work anchors the story with genuine warmth even if individual arcs feel underdeveloped.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Napping Princess blends intricate science fiction and coming-of-age elements with moderate originality. Reviewers commended the imaginative premise and poignant thematic reveals, while noting that plot convolution and uneven pacing sometimes hinder narrative clarity. Mixed reactions highlighted both engaging twists and occasional difficulty tracking intertwined subplots. In conclusion, the story offers creative ambition but struggles with coherence and consistent momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film showcases an evocative soundtrack and cohesive sound design that enhance its dreamlike sequences. Visually, critics and viewers praised the vibrant color palette and spectacle of animated action, though some noted mechanical audio cues during intense scenes. Despite occasional jarring transitions, the combination of musical themes and dynamic visuals sustains an engaging atmosphere. Overall, sensory elements significantly bolster the film’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers moments of imaginative world-building and thematic warmth that may appeal on subsequent viewings. Audiences noted that the inventive premises and poignant family dynamics provide engaging elements to revisit, though narrative complexity and uneven pacing could limit replay value for some. While the fantasy elements demonstrate lasting charm, inconsistencies in flow and clarity temper the film’s enduring appeal.

Plot

Napping Princess Plot Summary

What happens in Napping Princess from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Napping Princess intertwines two distinct worlds: a near-future Japan and the magical realm of Heartland. The protagonist, Kokone Morikawa, experiences vivid dreams of Heartland during her naps. Within these dreams, Heartland is a car-centric society where the King’s castle operates as a car factory, and the populace is engaged in the relentless creation of vehicles. The King has a daughter named Ancien, who appears in her younger form in Kokone’s dreams. This resourceful girl possesses a “magic tablet” that brings to life various mechanical creations, including a blue toy dog named Joy and a motorcycle called Heart.

Full summary

The whole story of Napping Princess, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Napping Princess Box Office

Napping Princess grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $48,198 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (96%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$48.2K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Awards

Napping Princess Awards & Nominations

Napping Princess earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature at the Annie Awards 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Napping Princess Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Napping Princess.

Napping Princess Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Napping Princess?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the main character who experiences vivid dreams?

Details

Napping Princess Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Hirune-hime: Shiranai watashi no monogatari” and “Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me”.

Also known as
  • Hirune-hime: Shiranai watashi no monogatari
  • Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me
  • Ancien and the Magic Tablet
  • Napping Princess: The Tale of the Unknown Me
  • Aennchen and the Magic Tablet
  • Принцесса и волшебный планшет
  • 낮잠공주 모르는 나의 이야기
  • Ancien und das magische Königreich
  • 낮잠 공주: 모르는 나의 이야기
  • 낮잠공주: 모르는 나의 이야기
  • Hirune Hime
  • Rêves éveillés
+14 more
  • Ancien y el mundo mágico
  • Спляча красуня: історія про невідому мене
  • 午睡公主
  • 午睡公主~不為人知的故事
  • Ancien e o Mundo Mágico
  • Ancien i el món màgic
  • Спящая принцесса
  • 午睡公主:不為人知的故事
  • Guļošā Princese
  • Hirune-hime: Širanai wataši no monogatari
  • Anciena ir magiška planšetė
  • สาวมหัศจรรย์ กับแท็บเล็ตแยกโลก
  • הנסיכה הנרדמת
  • Hirune Hime: rêves éveillés

Seen Napping Princess?

FAQ

Napping Princess FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Napping Princess, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Napping Princess?

Napping Princess runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Napping Princess released?

Napping Princess was released on September 8, 2017.

Who directed Napping Princess?

Napping Princess was directed by Kenji Kamiyama.

More films by Kenji Kamiyama

Who is in the cast of Napping Princess?

Napping Princess stars Mitsuki Takahata as Morikawa Kokone, Enshen, Brina Palencia as Kokone Morikawa, Ancien and Yôsuke Eguchi as Morikawa Momotarô, Pîchi, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Napping Princess?

In the US, Napping Princess is streaming on Hoopla, Kanopy and Pluto TV and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Napping Princess make at the box office?

Napping Princess grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($48,198 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Napping Princess rated?

Napping Princess has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was Napping Princess nominated for any awards?

Napping Princess received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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