Love & Peace (2015) Review

Pikadon

Monster Apperances: Pikadon

In this review, we take a look at Love & Peace, a kaiju Christmas movie that is far better than it has any right to be. Directed by Sion Sono, this offbeat film blends giant monster mayhem with heartfelt emotion, absurd comedy, and a surprising amount of sincerity.

Ryo & Pikadon

At its core, Love & Peace tells a deeply human story wrapped in a bizarre kaiju package. The film follows Ryo, a quirky, deeply lonely, failed musician whose life has been defined by rejection and ridicule. One day, he encounters a street vendor selling turtles and out of loneliness and a desperate need for connection buys one, naming it Pikadon. Ryo quickly grows attached to Pikadon, building miniature cityscapes for him and sharing his dreams of becoming a successful musician.

One day, Ryo brings Pikadon to work, and this is where the tide turns, his newfound love and happiness are suddenly ripped away. Upon arriving at the office, he is ridiculed and laughed at by his coworkers, with even random people on the street joining in, all because. Overwhelmed by the humiliation, Ryo suffers a panic attack, runs into a public restroom, and impulsively flushes Pikadon down the toilet. Almost immediately, he regrets the decision, breaking down into screams and uncontrollable sobbing fueled by intense emotional pain.

Sewar Toy Shop

This is where the Christmas magic comes into play. Pikadon survives the journey through the sewers and finds himself in the film’s version of an island of misfit toys, where he is taken in by a homeless drunk to live among forgotten, broken, living & talking toys that the world has abandoned. There, Pikadon is fed a mysterious candy that brings Ryo’s wishes to life, his dream of becoming a rock star and playing a massive concert at the Nippon Stadium...but not everything turns out as glorious and happy as Ryo expected.

The film’s sense of humor leans hard into the goofy, awkward and surreal, embracing its strange premise without apology. At the same time, it knows exactly when to slow down and let its emotional beats land.

What truly sets Love & Peace apart from the average tokusatsu film is how well it works as a Christmas movie. Beneath the chaos, sadness, and comedy is a surprisingly touching holiday story.

Watch the full video review below and let us know what you think of Love & Peace.