Yonebayashi beguiles as Mary and The Witch’s Flower blossoms into a wonderful narrative filled with complicated mystery and beauty but also a trademark caring simplicity. And we all can take solace in the rhythm and continuity displayed by Studio Ponoc.

Mary is a brazen child; impulsive yet unintentionally clumsy and admittedly upset with her miscues. She feels alone but lovingly cared for by her great-aunt Charlotte as her parents and other children are away. While waiting for familiarity to arrive, she wanders, against the advice of her adversarial new friend Peter, into the misty woods where even her infuriating red hair will become complimentary. From there, it’s the brilliant story of discovery leading to adventure to be illuminated by realization that warms the soul.

Mary is supported magnificently by a diverse cast, perfectly surly cats and stunning visuals. A recurrent and punctual broomstick handler, Flanagan, amuses with every pop-up encounter while mantras of greed and genetic manipulation eerily creep up throughout. And the special acknowledgement of Mary Stewart’s book, on which the film was based, was well placed.

Here, we marvel at the true creatives in storytelling as Mary and The Witch’s Flower charms with 4.88 napkins out of 5.