Shinchan: Our Dinosaur Diary Review – A perfect blend of humour, heart, and adventure for all ages

The story begins with Shinchan looking forward to summer vacation, but things take a turn when his father gets unexpectedly called into work.

‘Shinchan: Our Dinosaur Diary' feels like a playful, pint-sized version of Jurassic Park, but through the wonderfully weird and heartfelt lens of Shinchan’s world. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t just entertain children—it gives them something to remember. As always, Shinchan is up to his usual antics, but this time the stakes are higher, the emotions run deeper, and the scale is bigger. Director Shinobu Sasaki manages to strike a balance between chaos and charm, action and emotion. What could’ve easily been just another slapstick adventure turns into something layered—and surprisingly moving.

The story begins with Shinchan looking forward to summer vacation, but things take a turn when his father gets unexpectedly called into work. Left to his own, Shin Chan joins his friends in what starts as another aimless afternoon. But soon they hear about a new theme park, Dino’s Island, where dinosaurs have been brought back to life. Naturally, curiosity gets the better of them. At the park, Shin Chan’s loyal dog, Shiro, stumbles upon a mysterious egg that hatches into a baby dinosaur. What starts off as an innocent discovery quickly becomes the heart of the film, as the group forms a deep bond with the creature, completely unaware of the park’s darker motives.

What really works here is the emotional core. Despite all the jokes and ridiculous moments (and there are plenty), the film never loses sight of the gentle, sincere friendship that forms between the kids and the dinosaur. Those scenes are warm and heartfelt without ever feeling overly sentimental. Kids will enjoy the action and laughs, but adults might be surprised by how touching certain moments are. And visually, it’s a treat—the hand-drawn animation feels both nostalgic and vibrant. The dinosaurs are impressively animated, and the city-meets-jungle setting has its own quiet charm.

Of course, it’s not perfect. The film does slowdown in the middle—some scenes overstay their welcome, and there’s a stretch where not much really happens. And yes, the plot follows a fairly predictable path. You can guess where it’s going, especially if you’ve seen other family-friendly adventure films. But even then, the journey remains enjoyable. The returning characters, the witty gags, and the fresh emotional layer keep things interesting enough that you don’t mind knowing how it’ll all end.

All said and done, ‘Our Dinosaur Diary’ is a lovely surprise. It manages to be more than just another Shinchan movie—it’s funny, touching, and unexpectedly thoughtful. For fans, it’s a joyful return of familiar faces with a new kind of adventure. For first-timers, it’s a great introduction to why Shinchan continues to endure after all these years. It may not be revolutionary, but it definitely leaves a mark. And sometimes, that’s all you need from a good film—something that makes you laugh, maybe even tear up a bit, and leaves you with a smile as the credits roll.

Director: Shinobu Sasaki

Rating: 3.5/5

(‘Shinchan: Our Dinosaur Diary’ is running in theatres)