Little Forest: Winter/Spring

Ichiko remains in the small town of Komori as winter settles over the valley. The film follows a season in her life through simple, everyday rituals. She bakes a cake for a year end party and joins friends as they make mochi and curry to keep warm during the cold nights. In the depths of winter the group gathers, sharing meals and stories that knit the community together. When spring comes, Ichiko's thoughts wander to her mother who is not present, and she watches the rice fields wake and sakura bloom. A cloud of longing lingers, and she begins to wonder if she should leave Komori behind again. Yet the town keeps her grounded even as she ponders departure for now.

Directed by Junichi Mori and adapted from Daisuke Igarashi's manga, Little Forest: Winter Spring was released in 2015 as a quiet drama about home, seasonality, and simple acts of care. It favors natural light, patient, intimate framing, and simple compositions throughout.

Box office data for this title is not publicly disclosed; the film operated as a modest, intimate release rather than a wide market hit, primarily reaching audiences in limited markets and selective streaming in Japan and overseas markets globally.

While not a blockbuster, the film resonates with viewers who enjoy grounded storytelling. It centers on meals, shared space, and the changing seasons, inviting reflection on home and memory and sparking quiet conversations among fans about rural living and everyday kindness. Critics note the restraint and everyday realism as strengths.

Audience reception appears positive with a rating of 7.775 out of 10 from 100 votes. The film examines belonging, memory, and the rhythms of rural life, delivered through intimate kitchen scenes, seasonal imagery, and the pull between staying and moving on. The pace invites viewers to notice small details deeply today.