Ronja the Robber’s Daughter: Born in the Storm
Cast: Gillian Anderson, Theresa Gallagher
Director: Gorō Miyazaki, Kazuma Shimizu, Hiroshi Shimada
Writer: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
A review by Cirilia Rose
Ronja the Robber’s Daughter arrives on Amazon Prime at t
he height of Scandimania, a national obsession with anything that has vaguely Viking origins, from Fjällräven backpacks to afternoon fika, to the elusive concept of hygge, a sense of familial coziness that’s fully on display in Studio Ghibli’s first animated series.
Adapted from Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s Ronja Rövardotter, it shares some narrative DNA with Ponyo, a Hayao Miyazaki adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, both sweet tales centered on a pair of young, unlikely pals. Hayao’s son Gorō takes the helm for Ronja, directing cel shaded computer animation that retains the charm of his father’s hand-drawn offerings. The bright, clear palette and painterly backdrops feel familiar, with characters looking perhaps more delicately drawn than usual.
The ebullient opening sequence features our diminutive heroine bounding through a Nordic forest, streaming past fox dens and curious hares that recall The World of David the Gnome, another boreal cartoon that resulted from cross-cultural collaboration. Soon after, we’re plunged into the action, with dueling gangs of masked medieval miscreants prowling a dirt path, dropping from the trees to ransack unsuspecting travelers. Rival robber chiefs Mattis and Borka go head-to-head until an urgent message sends Mattis barreling back to his home fort.
Circling harpies caw, casting an ominous mood over an otherwise lovely landscape. We meet a calmly laboring Lovis, speaking in hushed but assured tones, a stark contrast to Mattis’ frenetic energy. She flashes a spark of strength, shooing Mattis away to quiet the monstrous cacophony so she can give birth in peace. The band of menacing hybrid bird-women offer our first and only glimpse of Miyazaki’s signature fever dream aesthetic, imagery that blends lush natural beauty with a dose of the eerie unknown.
Little Ronja finally makes her appearance, wide-eyed and rosy-cheeked, prompting Mattis to declare her “the loveliest of the forest.” He is instantly proud and protective, declaring the birth a victory over his rival Borka, shouting “timber to his family tree!” The entire all-male clan is instantly besotted, having seemingly never seen a newborn before.
Those eager to hear Gillian Anderson’s narration will have to hold out until the end where she chimes in with a brisk summation of a fairly straightforward pilot that mostly serves as a preamble, drawing us into the medieval fort and its cast of rowdy characters without delving into the Ronja-driven narrative just yet.
The Verdict
Watch It! If you have a little one in your charge, this sweet and innocent episode will certainly keep them amused, but Ghibli devotees may long for more complex, fantastical fare. The opening credits promise a spirited young protagonist who delights in the natural world, so I suspect there are plenty of adventures ahead. The humble pilot doesn’t quite evoke the usual Miyazaki magic, but it’s a pleasant ride nonetheless.
Ronja: The Robber’s Daughter will be available to stream on Amazon Prime on January 27, 2017.
