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A mad scientist, a lovesick chef, and a ring that could literally reach the stars — steampunk romance at its most unhinged.
TMDB
50
Watch(JP)

Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring (1992)

whimsical steampunk fever dreamcranky landlady energycosmic rom-com chaos

Overview

AnimationComedyActionScience FictionRomance

Sometime during the late 19th century, a young Asian girl has made a place for herself in a seaside town as the owner and operator of the Tenkai restaurant and boarding house... Yet "Miss China," as the locals call her, is in the dumps. She's got a Mad Scientist named Breckenridge living upstairs who is chronically late with the rent, and she's pining for Jim, a handsome watchmaker's apprentice whom she mistakenly believes is pursuing the local flower girl. But this isn't our world. It is a world that has the Spirit of Wonder, where every so often, just occasionally mind you, amazing things happen. The Mad Scientist actually has come up with an incredible invention, and Jim has an unbelievable plan to use it to give Miss China the most beautiful ring in all the World.

Flag of JPJPJapanese
Content warning
animemartial arts1990ssteampunkromance

Standout Aspects

Direction

Hongo balances madcap invention with genuine yearning.

Cinematography

Gorgeous watercolor skies and clanking brass machinery.

Writing

Breckenridge's rent-dodging is comedic perfection.

Best for:Solo: When you need 45 minutes of pure, unbothered whimsy.·Date Night: Weird enough to impress, sweet enough to cuddle.·Rewatch: Catches different details when you know the twist.
M

Director

Mitsuru Hongo

ReleasedJun 3, 1992
Runtime45m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonelight
Feelmedium
Ajiado
Toshiba EMI

Top Cast

Hiroyuki Shibamoto

Hiroyuki Shibamoto

Jim Freud (voice)

Noriko Hidaka

Noriko Hidaka

Miss China (voice)

Michio Hazama

Michio Hazama

Dr. Breckenridge (voice)

Akiko Hiramatsu

Akiko Hiramatsu

Nancy (voice)

Chisa Yokoyama

Chisa Yokoyama

Robin (voice)

Ikuya Sawaki

Ikuya Sawaki

Paul (voice)

Ako Mayama

Ako Mayama

Joan (voice)

Shozo Iizuka

Shozo Iizuka

Rock (voice)

Tamao Hayashi

Tamao Hayashi

Titi (voice)

Yuriko Fuchizaki

Yuriko Fuchizaki

Lily (voice)

Yu Shimaka

Yu Shimaka

Shop Owner (voice)

Chafurin

Chafurin

Man A (voice)

Ask about Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This OVA is based on Kenji Tsuruta's manga, and its 45-minute runtime was unusually generous for 1992 direct-to-video anime.

Cultural

The 'Spirit of Wonder' concept — where the extraordinary occasionally pierces mundane reality — became Tsuruta's signature thematic obsession across multiple works.

Gallery

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Spirit of Wonder Collection(3 films)
Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring poster
Now Viewing

Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring

1992

Spirit of Wonder: Scientific Boys Club poster4.1

Spirit of Wonder: Scientific Boys Club

2001

Spirit of Wonder: Miss China Short Stories poster

Spirit of Wonder: Miss China Short Stories

2004

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