Kin no Kuni Mizu no Kuni (Gold Kingdom Water Kingdom) is a lovely anime movie that hits all the right notes. It has the classic fairytale charm, while also telling a surprisingly sweet story about how communication and kindness can bridge huge divides between people, even entire nations.

Animated by studio Madhouse, the movie looks beautiful. The two kingdoms in this story have such contrasting visuals — one feels rich and sun-drenched; the other is lush green and abundant in water. The art direction, backgrounds, and watercolour palette stand out. And Evan Call’s music sets the mood for each scene perfectly.

The relationship between Princess Sarah and Naranbayar is wholesome — not the kind of flashy, dramatic love story; instead, their connection grows through genuine respect and a shared desire for peace and prosperity of their nations. Sarah is smart, genuinely kind, and down-to-earth. Her interactions with Naranbayar, who is earnest and thoughtful in his own right, are endearing, making one want to root for them.

The story moves at a steady pace, doesn’t feel rushed, and manages to sprinkle in some humor. It doesn’t feel heavy even when exploring emotional moments. If you’re in the mood for a visually charming and heartwarming anime film, Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom is worth checking out!

More Info: MAL, AniList, IMDb, Wikipedia