or the Character of Rain
Prepare for a tender journey through early childhood wonder. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is a delicate animated masterpiece that explores the awakening of consciousness through the eyes of a young Belgian girl in post-war Japan. This Oscar-nominated film adapts Amélie Nothomb's autobiographical novel with exquisite sensitivity.
Experience the world through Amélie's pre-cognitive state as she discovers the miracles of existence—from an earthquake's rumble to the taste of chocolate. A film that reminds us of the magic in everyday moments and the profound connections that shape our earliest memories.
Maïlys Vallade
Liane‑Cho Han
2025
86 minutes
"The Character of Rain"
by Amélie Nothomb
French & English dubs
Available with subtitles
Best Animated Feature Film
Full Animated Film • Literary Adaptation • Tender Childhood Story
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A gentle film about childhood discovery
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is a 2025 animated film directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane‑Cho Han, adapted from the autobiographical novel The Character of Rain by Amélie Nothomb. The story follows Amélie, a young Belgian girl born to expatriate parents in post‑war Japan, who begins life in a near‑silent, pre‑cognitive state until, after an earthquake and a bite of chocolate, she awakens to the world's wonders.
Through Amélie's curious perspective, the film tenderly explores discovery, human connection, and the small miracles of early childhood against the backdrop of her family's life overseas. She forms a deep bond with her family's housekeeper, Nishio‑san, discovering the world's beauty through simple moments and sensory experiences.
At the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, the film earned a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film, standing alongside international and major studio animations such as Arco, Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, and Zootopia 2 in the category—a testament to its artistic achievement and emotional resonance.
This film is presented here for educational analysis and artistic appreciation. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain represents a unique fusion of literary adaptation and animation, bringing Amélie Nothomb's autobiographical exploration of early consciousness to visual life.
As an Oscar-nominated animated feature, this film demonstrates how animation can explore the most subtle and profound aspects of human experience—the awakening of consciousness, the formation of memory, and the discovery of wonder in everyday moments.