One Hundred Buttons

About This Movie

One Hundred Buttons is this curious little gem from 1983 that you don't see often in animation circles. The story centers around a boy who takes to sewing buttons—sounds simple, right? But it evolves into this whimsical exploration of creativity and the chaos of childhood. The animation has this charming, slightly rough-around-the-edges quality that adds to its authenticity. The pacing feels leisurely, almost meditative, which really lets you soak in the atmosphere of his cluttered apartment transforming with each sewn button. It’s the kind of film that speaks to the joys and messiness of childhood ambition, and there’s something really distinctive about how it captures that feeling without any dialogue.

One Hundred Buttons has a bit of a niche appeal, often overlooked in the broader landscape of 80s animation. The VHS format is where most collectors first encountered it, but even that’s rare these days. It seems to pop up at conventions or in small collections, but it’s not easy to find a well-preserved copy. Collectors often appreciate its uniqueness and the way it stands apart from mainstream animation of its time.