Review | Berlin 2026: A New Dawn movie review – climate crisis meets fireworks in confusing anime

2.5/5 stars

By turns baffling and beguiling, the 76-minute miniature blends issues of climate change and the cosmos, wrapping them up in a generational story that even touches on the pervasive powers of social media.

Imaginative though it may be, whether the film is suitable for children or teenagers – despite the youth of the characters – is open to debate.

Set in rural Japan, its story begins as the long-established Obinata Fireworks factory is due to close down, with a road planned to plough right through it. As the young Keitaro (voiced by Riku Hagiwara) sighs, this is now “no place for the Obinatas”.

Since his mother died some years before, Keitaro has seen his family network dismantled. His fireworks-making father has disappeared without a trace, leaving Keitaro alone at home to make these colourful pyrotechnics.