Some days you just want to kick back and watch cartoons, and other days you want to be the cartoon. In “Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch,” you get to be that cartoon. Studio Ghibli and developer Level 5 have created a game for the PlayStation 3 that’s a topsy-turvy, adventurous and exciting, Japanese role-playing game (JRPG).

The game revolves around traveling to another world on an adventure to save your character’s mother. It does not contain an incredible plot but the voice acting in both English and Japanese help keep the player engaged. Studio Ghibli is an excellent choice as they bring their storied animation style to both the cut-scenes and gameplay. The look to “Ni no Kuni” is exquisite and lush, sporting an almost-but-not-quite-cute cartoonish style (called cel-shaded animation). That by itself is a significant positive for the experience. Case in point, even the bosses look somewhat adorable.

The base of gameplay in “Ni no Kuni” is grinding, grinding and more grinding. Grinding is a term often used to mean tedious play meant not to advance the plot but to level up your characters to even be able to advance. You fight battles over and over to make your character stronger. It can be satisfying, but it can also be slow. A playthrough of this game can last 40-60 hours overall. While you’ll have to invest your time to get through this doozy, it can be worth it. Grinding is a key gameplay aspect of other JRPGs like “Pokemon” and the “Final Fantasy” series, so if you like those games this may be right up your alley.

Speaking of “Pokemon” mixed with “Final Fantasy,” this is one weird game where you must catch small spirits to fight on your behalf. You do so in teams of three, fighting semi-random battles over and over again. Catching the spirits, or familiars, is consistently fun and exciting, but like the rest of the game, it’s never-ending. JRPG fans will love this, but it may only seem worth a rental for gamers of a more “Call-of-Duty” variety. This part of the experience that could have used a little less tedium and a little more animation, though the cut-scenes do seem to come in at the right time to break up the monotony.

There are plenty of side quests and extra paths to go down to keep you occupied, though sometimes it feels like just that – a way to keep the player from moving forward too fast. Still, getting every weapon or completing every quest is a game in and of itself and may merit a second playthrough for those who finish the game quickly.

“Ni no Kuni” is a game well worth your time with a beautiful look and wonderful production values, but the slow pace and constant grinding reduce its widespread appeal. It’s worth a playing a time or two for anyone looking for a good time.