Garakowa largely takes place in the digital realm, which in this interpretation seems to look suspiciously like a scan of someone's brain. Right in the middle of the digital realm is Dual and Dorothy's spacious house, a place where they relax and do cute things when not battling against viruses. Right away, viewers are treated to the very imaginative digital world, with lights pulsating in every direction, bits of data floating about, and a myriad of nasty viruses which seem to take form as nightmares come true. However, a large contrast to the artificial, dreamlike world is the backups of data Dual and Dorothy frequently scan and visit, taking shape as memories of humanity from different eras. These data backups range from anything from Victorian England to 21st century Japan. One of the most successful qualities of Garakowa is definitely in the visuals. Since this is a digital world, the studio can flex its imagination and budget into breathtaking set pieces, showing the artificial digital world and magnificent sites grounded in reality, such as a sweeping mountaintop view, antique buildings of 19th century France, or the natural beauty of a modern day park in springtime.
Unfortunately, the visuals are one of the only absolutely good qualities the movie has. Garakowa has a very loosely associated plot that definitely dips into interesting territory, but most of the movie is cute anti virus software doing cute things. Glaringly, the middle of the movie has a very awkward music video inserted with no dialogue and no plot progression. Admittedly, much of what I loved about the visuals and the magnificent set pieces in the movie are from this music video segment. However, the very light-hearted tone of this segment is in stark contrast to the overall mood of Garakowa. In a few scenes, the burdens of deleting viruses begins to take its toll on Dual and Dorothy, particularly Dual. These scenes offer a glimmer of a more substantial storyline, but these moments are few and happen too quickly.
Speaking of storyline, Garakowa seems confused on whether it wants to show cute anti virus software doing cute things or a grim story about the deleting of humanity's memories. The mood shift is a little too strange for me, and I would have much preferred if they cut the slice of life moments in favor of going more into depth Dual and Dorothy's mission to find out just what Remo is. Only much later in the hour long movie do they delve into interesting territory, but at this point it's a little too late. Another thing to note about the storyline and world building is the very confusing use of terminology. The trio frequently talk about a "Box of Wisdom," but I have no idea what this mystic box is or its purpose in the film. Background as to why Dual and Dorothy are anti virus software are also touched upon, but I feel like not enough time was devoted to craft a detailed sci-fi world to really matter. Viewers have to simply accept a lot of things the characters say at face value, and imagine what could have been a very interesting, fantastic world.
On sound, I quite enjoyed the light background music and the lovely piano tune that is introduced, but soundtrack wise this movie is very light. Voice wise, Dual is played by Taneda Risa, so I was...really biased (in a good way) towards Dual.
I feel like there was a lot of wasted potential in Garakowa. The budget is there, the stunning visuals, the voice talent, and a director with a pretty good body of work. The most notable series the director for Garakowa has done is Shinsekai Yori, in my opinion. However, these elements simply can't exist without a good storyline to hook the viewer to want to know more about Dual and Dorothy, Remo, the mysterious "flower garden," and the suggestions of a digital apocalypse. Most disappointing is Dorothy, who has a paper thin personality that only briefly gets more development towards the end. And again, too much time was devoted to the music video in the middle. While pleasant to watch, it did not add anything at all to the storyline. The ending suggests a potentially engaging plot element regarding humans, but the film largely ends with not much resolved.
Regardless of its flaws, I found Garakowa at least mildly interesting and don't regret the hour I spent watching it. Not only is this movie something like a mix of Assassin's Creed, Code Lyoko, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, it is fundamentally an imaginative look at anti virus software, giving it human form and emotions while weaving a mildly engaging storyline with moments of despair, joy, and reflection. If anything, Garakowa is at least unique and quirky, which is probably enough to warrant sitting down for an hour and being drawn into the strange digital world of memories, regret, happiness, and apocalypse.
...honestly, I watched this movie to listen to Taneda Risa, but all the stuff I mentioned before has my half-hearted seal of approval and I honestly do think Garakowa is worth a watch, if for the novelty only at least.
