Flavors of Youth

Haoliners Animation League

Industry	Animation, Film production
Headquarters	China
Products	Animated films

Flavors of Youth (, literally "From Season to Season"; , literally "Essentials of Youthful Life") is a 2018 anthology drama anime/donghua directed by Li Haoling, Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing, and Yoshitaka Takeuchi, with production led by Noritaka Kawaguchi. This collaborative Japanese-Chinese project between CoMix Wave Films and Haoliners Animation League premiered in both Japan and China on August 4, 2018, and was subsequently distributed worldwide through StudioCanal and Netflix.

Plot

The narrative is organized around the concept of the "four fundamental necessities of life," presenting three distinct stories that emphasize food, clothing, and housing/transportation respectively:

• The Rice Noodles (, ), centered on food
• A Little Fashion Show (, ), focused on clothing
• Love in Shanghai (, ), highlighting housing and transportation

The Rice Noodles

Set across Hunan Province and Beijing, the story follows Xiao Ming as he reminisces about his youth shared with his grandmother through his affection for San Xian noodles. In his childhood, he frequented a local noodle shop known for its heartfelt preparation, which eventually shut down amid rumors of envy or the owners being summoned back to Beijing by a customer. Xiao Ming then discovered another establishment offering pre-made noodles but a variety of toppings, which he came to appreciate. Due to declining business and family matters, this shop temporarily switched to selling fishing gear before reopening with renewed family commitment. Years later in Beijing, Xiao Ming encounters San Xian noodles that are pricier and less adorned, leaving him dissatisfied. Upon learning of his grandmother’s terminal condition, he returns home to be by her side. Revisiting the hometown noodle shop rekindles feelings of warmth and nostalgia, inspiring hope for what lies ahead.

A Little Fashion Show

Taking place in Guangzhou, Yi Lin works as a fashion model, while her sister Lulu pursues fashion design studies. After missing a fashion show evaluation due to a hangover from her birthday celebration, Yi Lin becomes frustrated by the success of rival Shui Jing. Pushing herself excessively to enhance her appearance leads to fainting during the show and prompts her to reconsider her career choices. Seeking transformation, she asks Lulu to teach her sewing and design skills, which causes some sibling friction. Supported by her manager, Yi Lin participates in an unexpected fashion event at an abandoned factory where Lulu presents her with a red dress she had long envisioned. Buoyed by encouragement from both family and management, Yi Lin performs admirably and eventually reestablishes her status in the fashion world. Lulu graduates and now creates clothing for Yi Lin, with both sisters content in their respective roles.

Love in Shanghai

Spanning from 1999 to the present day within a shikumen residence in Shanghai, Li Mo shares a deep connection with Xiao Yu. After Xiao Yu suffers an injury preventing her from attending school, Li Mo records lessons on cassette tapes for her, sparking their romantic relationship through exchanged messages. When Xiao Yu’s family plans to send her to an elite distant high school, Li Mo strives to gain admission there as well. Upon acceptance, he discovers Xiao Yu hospitalized due to abuse from her father following her failure on the entrance exam. Li Mo’s family relocates closer to the school, resulting in their separation. Now an architect managing a refurbished shikumen motel, Li Mo learns that Xiao Yu has studied abroad in the United States, which leaves him disappointed. A cassette tape reveals that Xiao Yu intentionally failed the exam to remain close to him, prompting Li Mo to reflect on his past decisions. Years later, they reunite at his motel sharing a knowing smile.

In a post-credits scene, prominent characters from each narrative come together at an airport, content with life’s simple pleasures and hopeful about what the future holds.

Cast

Character	Japanese Voice Actor	Chinese Voice Actor	English Voice Actor	Segment
Xiao Ming	Taito Ban	Bai Ke	Crispin Freeman	The Rice Noodles
Young Xiao Ming	Mariya Ise	Chang Rongshan	Kendall Gimbi
Yi Lin (Irin)	Minako Kotobuki	Peng Shixin	Evan Rachel Wood	A Little Fashion Show
Lulu	Haruka Shiraishi	Yanny Chan Wing Yan	Jona Xiao
Mr. Steve	Hiroki Yasumoto	Li Jiaheng	George Ackles
Li Mo (Rimo)	Takeo Ōtsuka	Liang Dawei	Ross Butler	Love in Shanghai
Xiao Yu	Ikumi Hasegawa	Tang Dawei	Erica Mendez

The Chinese version features dubs in both Cantonese and Shanghainese dialects.

Box office

At the Chinese box office, the movie earned .

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating derived from numerous reviews, with an average score indicating a range of responses from mixed to favorable.

Kim Morrissy of Anime News Network assigned a grade of B, praising the "refined background artwork" while pointing out "subpar character animation." She also emphasized the joint effort of CoMix Wave Films' creatives in capturing the essence of Chinese cities with a nostalgic perspective.

External links

• Flavors of Youth: International Version on Netflix
• Si shi qing chun on IMDb
• Flavors of Youth on Anime News Network