Flavors of Youth
2018 · Directed by Joshua, Li Haoling, Yoshitaka Takeuchi
Original language: Chinese
- animation
- romance
- drama
The story
The rigorous city life of China, while bustling and unforgiving, contains the everlasting memories of days past. Three stories told in three different cities, follow the loss of youth and the daunting realization of adulthood. Though reality may seem ever changing, unchangeable are the short-lived moments of one's childhood days. A plentiful bowl of noodles, the beauty of family and the trials of first love endure the inevitable flow of time, as three different characters explore the strength of bonds and the warmth of cherished memories. Within the disorder of the present world, witness these quaint stories recognize the comfort of the past, and attempt to revive the neglected flavors of youth.
What it’s like
Warm, detailed 2D animation in soft pastels and amber lamplight, with busy city streets softened into nostalgia and steam curling off bowls of noodles. Three separate chapters move between cities, each with its own sense of place, so the palette shifts from crowded evening markets to quieter rooms and rain-washed avenues. The camera lingers on ordinary domestic and street details, and the music stays gentle and melodic, with ambient city noise underneath. The vibe is wistful and tender, a bittersweet ache for childhood that never tips into sadness for its own sake. Pacing is unhurried, with reflective pauses between scenes. The emotional arcs follow young people caught between old attachments and the pressures of working life, drifting toward reconciliation with what they left behind. Intensity is very low: there is no violence, no gore, and no frightening content, only mild romantic longing and small domestic tensions. It suits a rainy Sunday, a comfort watch, or a quiet evening alone. It is for viewers who want gentle, heartfelt nostalgia and a sense of home in a fast-changing world.
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