Arco
The brief
Ugo Bienvenu's time-travel animation feels like Studio Ghibli meets *The Little Prince*, following a boy who tumbles backward through centuries and finds unexpected friendship. The hand-drawn visuals pulse with warmth and invention, turning what could be standard sci-fi into something that breathes with genuine wonder. It moves at a patient, almost meditative pace that lets you sink into its world of rainbow suits and impossible physics. Perfect for anyone who loved *Your Name* or misses when animated films trusted kids to handle big ideas about time and connection.
The verdict
If you have patience for meditative storytelling and love hand-drawn animation that trusts audiences to embrace big ideas about time and friendship, this is a gorgeous treat that captures the wonder of Studio Ghibli at its best. If you prefer fast-paced plots or need constant action to stay engaged, the deliberately slow rhythm will likely test your attention span.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for families with curious kids
- 👤 Animation lovers seeking something thoughtful
- ⚠️ May be too slow for action-seeking viewers
Heads up
- Child falls through time (brief scary moments) (brief)
- Mild peril during time travel sequences (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Ugo Bienvenu
- Cast
- Margot Ringard Oldra, Oscar Tresanini, Nathanaël Perrot, Alma Jodorowsky, Swann Arlaud, Vincent Macaigne, Louis Garrel
Official synopsis
10-year-old Arco lives in a far future. During his first flight in his rainbow suit, he loses control and falls
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Both feature young heroes traveling through time with stunning animation styles.
Total runtime: 1h 29m + 2h 20m = 3h 49m
