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Aug 12, 2013 7:55 PM

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Aug 2012
1177
Art and sound was to be expected from Shinkai. Just amazing.

Plot was pretty realistic albeit I wish they developed the characters a tad bit more

One thing I can't stand in Shinkai's movies is the lack of closure, though this movie did end on a better note than 5 CM/Sec or Voices of a Distant Star.

Giving it an 8.5, rounding up to 9.

Hopefully his next film has a true happy ending
Aug 13, 2013 3:04 AM

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Sep 2012
1336
baseball3b said:
Art and sound was to be expected from Shinkai. Just amazing.

Plot was pretty realistic albeit I wish they developed the characters a tad bit more

One thing I can't stand in Shinkai's movies is the lack of closure, though this movie did end on a better note than 5 CM/Sec or Voices of a Distant Star.

Giving it an 8.5, rounding up to 9.

Hopefully his next film has a true happy ending


agreed on the movie aspect of the films you mentioned, but if you felt that either 5cm or VOADS was left too open for you, the manga (canon according to shinkai himself for both) gives closure to both endings, VOADS more so than 5cm per second. if youre interested, theyre both a very good read
Aug 14, 2013 6:46 PM

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Dec 2012
23
I love this movie so much right now! I have no idea why but it tops every other movie of his right now. playing on repeat in the background :)
Aug 14, 2013 7:42 PM

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Apr 2013
254
Poor ending IMO, lacked some character development, but regardless it was some fantastic 40 minutes or so. Visual department is one of the best.

This one needs a sequel, chances are that's not going to happen.
8/10
Aug 15, 2013 1:26 AM

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Oct 2012
184
That was beautiful.
Artwork and animation was eye-poppingly gorgeous.
Story was...well...slightly off for a 45 min work, but not bad by any means
For now, an 8/10...hovering around 8.5, but I always prefer to round down.
Aug 21, 2013 6:33 AM

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Mar 2013
170
wow.... I am at a loss for words, I went in to this anime not expecting much, just wanted to kill 45min, but wow was I wrong, Every thing from the art to the story and characters is amazing, The quality of this anime really surprised a easy 10 for me hands down.
Aug 24, 2013 9:13 PM

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Apr 2009
4349
I can only say one thing, the rains were beautiful.

10/10 for the visual and sounds, the visuals might have been 11/10 for all I care. LOL 8/10 for characters and whatever plot that was. Overall 9/10 in my book.
You see there's no need to wonder where your god is,
Coz he's right here! ...and he's fresh out of mercy.
Aug 31, 2013 10:47 PM

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Nov 2007
1766
*speechless!*
i watched the ending again and again and still can't get enough of it. >.<
superb! <3 10/10
Sep 6, 2013 7:49 PM

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Jan 2013
123
I keep reading everywhere that the story was not that great.
I'm actually surprised at that. For some reason the film had an impact on me, I thought the story was excellent. I have seen 26 ep. romance anime that leave me with less feeling than this film did. The art and animation do help make the story feel more romantic though.

I do agree that it could have been better, that it could/should have been longer, and that it missed some potential. But all I hear is that it is bad. Does everything have to be so dam original and meet everyones expectation in order for it to have some praise?
I'm not saying "Shut up the story is the best Evar!", but all I hear are complaints and no compliments.

Even if this is a generic, and romanticized thought, I wanted him to give her the shoes he made.
And isn't that enough for a compliment?

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn
My brother and I compose classical and modern music, please click the link below if you're interested.
http://thesearethetwins.wordpress.com/

Please check out my profile to see what anime I recommend.

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn
Sep 6, 2013 8:24 PM

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Sep 2012
1336
Kuandohan said:
I keep reading everywhere that the story was not that great.
I'm actually surprised at that. For some reason the film had an impact on me, I thought the story was excellent. I have seen 26 ep. romance anime that leave me with less feeling than this film did. The art and animation do help make the story feel more romantic though.

I do agree that it could have been better, that it could/should have been longer, and that it missed some potential. But all I hear is that it is bad. Does everything have to be so dam original and meet everyones expectation in order for it to have some praise?
I'm not saying "Shut up the story is the best Evar!", but all I hear are complaints and no compliments.

Even if this is a generic, and romanticized thought, I wanted him to give her the shoes he made.
And isn't that enough for a compliment?

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn


it wasnt a bad story by any means, its just that some of his movies had far more touching stories.
see: 5cm and voices of a distant star, or more interesting stories, see: place promised
Sep 7, 2013 12:09 PM

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Jan 2013
123
eldest said:
Kuandohan said:
I keep reading everywhere that the story was not that great.
I'm actually surprised at that. For some reason the film had an impact on me, I thought the story was excellent. I have seen 26 ep. romance anime that leave me with less feeling than this film did. The art and animation do help make the story feel more romantic though.

I do agree that it could have been better, that it could/should have been longer, and that it missed some potential. But all I hear is that it is bad. Does everything have to be so dam original and meet everyones expectation in order for it to have some praise?
I'm not saying "Shut up the story is the best Evar!", but all I hear are complaints and no compliments.

Even if this is a generic, and romanticized thought, I wanted him to give her the shoes he made.
And isn't that enough for a compliment?

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn


it wasnt a bad story by any means, its just that some of his movies had far more touching stories.
see: 5cm and voices of a distant star, or more interesting stories, see: place promised


That is quite true though. "Places Promised in our Early Days" was probably his best story in my opinion.

I would say that 5/cms is a mature film, and this is it's adolescent counterpart.

I'm very glad you didn't mention Children Who Chase Lost Voices. :P

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn
My brother and I compose classical and modern music, please click the link below if you're interested.
http://thesearethetwins.wordpress.com/

Please check out my profile to see what anime I recommend.

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn
Sep 7, 2013 6:35 PM

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Sep 2011
898
Kuandohan said:

That is quite true though. "Places Promised in our Early Days" was probably his best story in my opinion.

I would say that 5/cms is a mature film, and this is it's adolescent counterpart.

I'm very glad you didn't mention Children Who Chase Lost Voices. :P

Keep pursuing your dreams! ~ Wynn


I wouldn't go so far as to label this as an "adolescent" counterpart.The two films are still very different in their execution. While 5cm was more like a feature length film, Makoto Shinkai has gone on record to describe this one as more of a short OVA than an actual film.

Also I'd honestly argue that this actually tackled an equally mature theme (if not more so) than 5cm's choice to focus on the growing distance of two close friends and a person's longing, especially when you consider how Kotonoha no Niwa had characters that had 12-years worth of an age gap. Couple that with themes surrounding the taboo of a student/teacher relationship, and the use of escapism through romanticizing a relationship, it becomes clear that this is far from being "adolescent".
ronriSep 7, 2013 6:48 PM
Sep 14, 2013 2:49 PM

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Feb 2013
812
I think Shinkai is kind of a crook regarding the way he's building his movies, i came here to read some comments and i see i'm not the only one who get this feeling.

Kotonoha no Niwa reflects the typical Shinkai strategy: candy for your eyes and ears to cover a dull story. During the whole movie i kept wondering what were those two characters doing together, what are they exactly talking about, why are they even talking to each other in the first place, what's the connection between them? Shoes? Candies? Still no idea but we are forced to admit they are somehow getting closer to each other. Then we learn about the hidden story of the depressed beauty: her job as a teacher is not easy ... although almost every students love her. Harsh. Then quick transition to the last scene of the "story" which uses the so fashionable and efficient combo: "let's make it sad, let's all suddenly cry + it's ok, gambatte!!" (Sakurasou™). The end.

I'd say this movie is especially aiming at a young audience who will be easily seduced by rich visuals and clichés flooding the screen over and over such as a lonely nice girl waiting to be accosted, benches, pouring rain, cute high-tech stuff, neat indoors, etc ... ah yea right, and the sakuras, how could i forgot.

Kotonoha no Niwa has a really deep and oppressing "bourgeois" feeling, as it's all about the looks and useless details, turning into something really disappointing when you take a look at the whole picture. The only decent projects of Shinkai remain 5cm (younger characters, romance less complicated to deal with) and Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo (decent story mixing fantasy and reality which better fits Shinkai's mindset imo).
My list - "Let's share our lame sides" (Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou)
Sep 27, 2013 11:48 AM

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Oct 2009
158
That was just cliche tearjerker for the people who still didn't get used to that type of movies. I did so for me plot was predictable and wearisome. At least visuals were stunning.

And one more thing... just think of it. Why when we have older men and younger girl we look at it as pedophilie thing and in opposite case show is a beautiful touching drama?
Sep 28, 2013 10:26 AM

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Mar 2008
53280
To bad I do not understand Japanese so it removes some of the effect of the Tanka. In case some of you dont know a tanka is like a haiku just longer.

I kind of like how they dont make it clear what kind of feelings they have for eachother till later and even then you do not see what she feels for him really since she is hiding it from herself although you can tell she likes him but thinks she can not be with him so she did not think too hard or deep into it to act on it more.
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Sep 29, 2013 7:48 AM

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Jul 2009
142
what an another awesome movie from Makoto Shinkai :o
unfortunately, it's too damn short for a movie!! T_T
ending, development story just feels too rushed. Adding more hour for this movie will make it too perfection

graphic/environment : 12/10
music/BGM : 12/10
story : 8/10
so all in all, 10/10 overall score still worth it
Oct 5, 2013 12:08 AM

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Nov 2011
4952
eh? Not bad I guess. I was thinking of giving it a 6/10 but since it has purdy pictures I'll give it 7/10. :v
The Art of Eight
Oct 6, 2013 6:06 AM

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Aug 2011
228
Penulma said:
An animated movie of Makoto Shinkai's foot fetish.


+1
Oct 6, 2013 6:08 AM

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Aug 2011
228
Penulma said:
An animated movie of Makoto Shinkai's foot fetish.

+1
Oct 7, 2013 10:16 AM

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Sep 2012
1983
It really has an realistic visuals with a perfect combination of the soundtracks.

That's all i can say.
Oct 12, 2013 10:59 PM

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Aug 2011
7307
As expected from Shinkai, he'll take your eyes on the most visually stunning rides you'll ever experience but once again he has failed to move me beyond that.


I don't know why that is. I always end up feeling underwhelmed.
Probably it's me wanting that the characters match/live up to their surroundings but their actions and dialogue feel average (or mundane even?) in comparison.


Well actually there was one time where Shinkai didn't fail me and that was with "Dareka no Manazashi" and that was just ~6 minutes long.
(So that excuse of Kotonoha no Niwa being too short just isn't going to work on me.)

....
It was the cat right? or in this case, the lack of cats?
Oct 28, 2013 4:36 AM

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May 2010
8098
Oh God, that animation... is superb! Her being a teacher in his school was so surprising. Whens he was running after him, and his speech; light shining on her face and then she hugged him..... simply breathtaking... That song was great... So much gorgeous rain scenes... This movie was so natural, and beautiful..

9/10
Oct 29, 2013 3:34 PM

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Sep 2011
898
hasyly said:
And one more thing... just think of it. Why when we have older men and younger girl we look at it as pedophilie thing and in opposite case show is a beautiful touching drama?


Not necessarily, I've seen certain shows depict older-guy-and-young-girl relationships in positive ways too. Maybe not as prevalently today, but it's definitely not neglected in other anime.
Nov 5, 2013 7:34 AM
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Oct 2013
5
Loved this.

From the Heart Wrenching "5 Centimeters per Second" to the Touching "Garden of Words".

Loved the Music. Loved the Visuals. Loved the Characters.

(... Although I wanted to beat the shit out of those Seniors though...)

Another Great from Makoto Shinkai. 9/10
Nov 24, 2013 12:34 PM

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Jul 2012
2247
The Garden of Words was great I really enjoyed it. The ending was not what I was hoping for nevertheless, it was still touching.

Great movie!!!
Nov 24, 2013 12:37 PM

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Jul 2012
2247
Saudades said:
^x2 Translation for the last line (credit to a guy on Nyaa):

Hope they include it in the official BD release, it's quite a good line to close the film.
Thank you very much for posting a translation of the final line. Now the ending is even more beautiful than it already was.
Nov 28, 2013 12:47 PM

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Feb 2010
204
Just the art and atmosphere made me emerge into the movie and I didn't wanted to come back. I love rainy days and the sound of the rain, so yeah... the sound effects was amazing and so it was the OST.

The story was nice too, very subtle and totally realistc. I only felt a problem with the pacing, it could have been more well developed if the movie were a little bit longer.

But nonetheless, great movie. Definitely a 9/10.
...
Dec 3, 2013 7:51 AM
*hug noises*

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May 2013
32062
Watching this in 1080p was just glorious, has to be the best visuals I've ever seen in anime.
Dec 26, 2013 2:59 PM

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Jul 2009
3345
finally i was able to watched this ever since buying the BD sentai release :)

wow i could definitely say this is one of the best looking anime movies ever!!! the rain drops, character designs, the atmosphere is excellent!!

i'm kinda down that this film was only around 46 minutes, i felt like they could have done alot more if this was a 1 hour and 30 minute film.

my only grip is that Akizuki bursted out in the end, i mean couldn't he understand the situation Yukino is in? sure she didn't tell you that she was the teacher in your same school, but i don't think she hid it so that she won't have laugh at your dream of being a shoe maker it kinda wanted me to punch him in the face in the scene.

at least he stood up to her to those students, but he could have at least put up a fight.

and finally i'm surprised Yukino is voiced by Kana Hanazawa :) even though i heard a faint of her accent in her voice, for some reason she really sounded different here :)

kinda like a mature version of her typical voice ^^

in any case, i would give this a 8/10, but because the animation is superb and i really enjoyed the art and it made me eyes a bit teary at the end.

so i would give this a 9/10 :)

i'm gonna watch the interview that came with the BD to know more of the story and creation ^^

after this i'll be watching Wolf Children next ^^

okay i just got back finishing the interview and wow! i think people will really begin to enjoy the movie more if you watched the interview.

some interesting bits i learned from the movie.

Makoto Shinkai specifically chose Irino-san due to the way he delivered the last line. while there are a lot of great actors, he feels that Irino is the only one who can burst out for Takao's character. he even says that Irino made the film complete with that line.

something dubs won't be able to reproduce or replicate just by relying on some ADR director :P

Kana Hanazawa really enjoyed the character, she sympathizes and admires Yukino-san since she's been alone and fighting her own conflicts and problems by herself.

i also learned that she is the silent type when she was 15 years old ^^

she feels that Takao's being "in his own world" helped Yukino to interact more naturally.

She also mentions that Makoto Shinkai is really a foot fetish person XD

Makoto Shinkai is also touched at the end of the film where Yukino cried. he mentions she didn't need to cry, so seeing Kana Hanzawa created her own take on the film made him enjoyed and love the final scene even more.

he also mentions that everyone has their own quirks as human and that we need people and connections with one another since being social is part of being human.

like Yukino eating and bringing lots of chocolates and drinking beer ^^

i also love on how the main theme song "Rain" was chosen because he listen to the original song when he was in college, and since the main theme of this film is Rain he feels it was a perfect match for it.

i also love on how he mentions that the Garden is basically Yukino's salvation from all the internal conflicts she have. and that it's the only place where she was able to calm herself from all the distractions and stress that occur in her everyday life. and when she cried at the end, Makoto-san feels that finally she was able to move on from her life and that going back to school on her hometown was her first step towards rebuilding herself.

i also love how Makoto-san mentioned that since Takao is a shoe maker. they make shoes in order for people to walk. you could say that Takao was Yukino's "shoe" and it made her walk again towards the end of the film.

the reason why the animation really looks amazing and like no other anime is that they made the characters integrated well into the backgrounds. the main color of this film is green so like in the scene in the garden, the characters Yukino and Takao has these green hue on their face, since in real life the green color shows in our face when in a garden or a forest is because of the lunglight passing by and bending towards our faces or skin. this is why the characters felt natural with the background.

it's pretty genius technique they uses and i hope they used it in his next film. speaking of his next film, it seems he'll listen to the feedback of the viewers(not sure how he'll be able to listen to overseas fans) and will take this note on his next film. i do hope he uses the same animation in his next film, this style is too good to be dropped like that!

and finally he wants the viewers to reflect on what the had learned after watching this film? for me i think it made me realize that having a goal at a start of life is a good thing and pushing it to achieved it feels a sense of accomplishment and good feeling. i kinda made a mistake of fumbling around in highschool and thinking too much on what the future lies ahead. now i'm more motivated to finish college and get my B.S. degree as soon as possible.

i probably missed some on the interview, but i HIGHLY recommend buying the BD and watch the interview after the film. i think people will appreciate the film more if they do that!

such a masterpiece! now i don't mind giving this film a 9/10 now :)

i plan on rewatching this whenever i'm down :D

looks like either Wolf Children or Akira is next ^^
rodacSep 15, 2015 1:31 AM
Dec 29, 2013 9:34 PM

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Mar 2013
111
This art in this is amazing. It will make you watch the whole movie if nothing else does. Personally, I really liked the story. If you're looking for something relaxed with a little drama/emotions, this is a great anime. I was definitely choking up at the end ^^
Jan 3, 2014 8:03 AM

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Aug 2010
47
When i'm going to watch this kind of movie again.. :P

The story was good & lots of meaning words.. The art was awesome.. no doubt about that.. ^_^

10/10
Jan 3, 2014 9:54 PM

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Aug 2013
30
Really nice. I liked the length of it, and as everyone else has said, the art was beautiful. 8/10.
Jan 9, 2014 7:14 AM

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Oct 2013
2984
fuck so good

ovoon7 said:
The first Makoto Shinkai film that I didn't hate. In fact, I liked this one quite a bit. (And yes, I've seen all of his other works.)


dude nothing he puts out is bad......

Mod Edit: Merged duplicated posts; please use the edit button.
rodacSep 15, 2015 1:34 AM
"Urushibara Ruka. The mannerisms and voice of a woman... No... More feminine than any woman. But he's a guy. Taller than Mayuri, but so very thin... But he's a guy. Looks great in a miko outfit... But he's a guy. It's already twilight And yet, it's so hot. The cicadas are crying. But... He's a guy."
Jan 12, 2014 4:37 AM

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Sep 2012
3948
Bheaze said:
ovoon7 said:
The first Makoto Shinkai film that I didn't hate. In fact, I liked this one quite a bit. (And yes, I've seen all of his other works.)


dude nothing he puts out is bad......
Lost Children felt like he was trying too hard to be like Ghibli in my opinion and I feel it is his weakest work. It is about the only one of his major works I haven't bought. Thankfully he is back on form and better than ever with this one, Kotonoha no Niwa.
Jan 18, 2014 9:42 AM

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Apr 2009
10
There seems to be a lot of love for the art style but disappointment with the story on here, and around the web in general. I don't know if being 30, but pretty young at heart, helps me relate to both characters 50/50 and therefore appreciate the story, or it genuinely does have its little faults (I agree that the "outburst" scene felt a little forced), but I loved it. I plan on buying the blu-Ray and showing it to my wife (who isn't a fan of anime at all, although she enjoyed Hotarubi no Mori e).

I give it 9/10.
Jan 22, 2014 11:41 AM

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Jan 2013
48
it was a really enjoyable movie 10/10
Jan 25, 2014 1:10 PM

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Jan 2013
464
At first I didn't expect too much from this movie.
But it turned out to be a masterpiece.
10/10
Feb 1, 2014 2:29 PM
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Jul 2013
1554
I hope that in the next 5 years, your usual anime shows would get supported so much that they'd make this level of art a must have standard.

I don't particularly like this director, for his style of plot is silly to me. He attempts to put reality into a world with anime characters and anime-exclusive personality. How often do you see people having serious outbreaks with each other about love as the main subject, with a tone of couples in love like that rain scene in the movie? Never, usually they'd lead to objects being thrown and shit.

That said, my jaws dropped when I saw this movie. It was thanks to the amazing soundtrack and the illustrious animation and graphics. The background was beautifully painted. The animation is definitely one of the best I've seen so far, the rain was so fluid, it took my eyes away from the unevenly paced animation of the clothes compared to the rain in those scenes. The characters are beautifully drawn too! Using lens flare on the edges of the characters to blend them into the background was smart! I'm also pretty sure that the producers drew the characters without outlines, which explains why they blend in more naturally! I'm 100% guaranteed that they produced this digitally! Without drawing on paper and stuff.

Thanks to the art department, this movie gets a 9 on my list!

P.S: It's not exactly like 5cm you know... This is an open ending, and on a good note, meaning that there is still a chance they'll have their Cinderella moment.
Feb 3, 2014 4:38 PM

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Dec 2008
168
What the fuck Makoto Shinkai....What the fuck, the animation is too fucking good.
JUST HOW MUCH ARE YOU SPENDING TO SHOW 1 FRAME OF SOME LEAVES THAT WE SEE FOR 0.005 SECONDS!?!?!

I FREAKING LOVE IT
Feb 4, 2014 11:11 AM

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Aug 2010
132
Visual art, Stunning. Music, Awesome. Trademarks of a Makoto Shinkai.

Its a heart warming story but I'm not really a fan of older women younger boy romance so 9/10 for me.
Feb 17, 2014 6:23 PM
Trickster

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Jun 2011
2254
Gorgeous film. It was touching, and heartfelt.

Visuals are beyond beautiful. Backgrounds were especially breathtaking. Out of all the films I have seen, these are the best visuals that I've personally seen. Just a tremendous job by the studio.

The soundtrack was sublime. Beautiful, touching, and the pianist made the piano actually feel like rain at times. It was so well incorporated throughout the film. And really gave the extra oomph that scenes needed to really be beyond excellent.

The story was probably the only real thing that was a bit lacking. They could've explored a few more things, but at least the talking felt natural and very convincing. The English dub actors really had a strong performance.

Garden of Words was a wonderful film about love, life, and living your dreams. I will recommend this to any and every one.

9/10
Feb 26, 2014 12:03 AM
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Jan 2014
276
Nice movie. The ending really fit. I liked the length, but this needed more fleshing out, so if it was longer, that would have helped. Visually breathtaking, wonderfully musical, but yet, something just didn't fit. I wasn't as moved as I wanted to be. 7/10.
moving on.
Mar 2, 2014 8:44 AM

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Jan 2012
1981
that last outburst from the kid was awkward as hell

visual is stunning..

content.. not so much

7/10


though it makes me wonder if the reception would reversed if the gender were switched...

brb omg older woman and younger guy... so cute! age totally doesn't matter!

brb older men + young girl = pedophile shitstorm (no pedo)
Mar 3, 2014 5:48 AM

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May 2013
128
Definitely better than 5cm per sec . Started the dub version , didn't like it , and finally watched it in Sub . 45 min of feel train . Although story was not that great . That last hug was awesome . Wish i have a beautiful teacher like Yukino or whatever her name was .
Mar 12, 2014 7:36 AM

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Oct 2013
1190
I wish it was longer. 8/10
Mar 12, 2014 9:09 PM
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Mar 2014
1
I thought this movie was very solid, but what bugged me most was Takao's rant at the end. Most of it made sense, but at the end when he says "You never say whats important, you pretend its none of your business, you've been living your whole life alone" he completely lost me. Whether it was something I should've gotten or not, those three lines really bummed out what would've been a much better experience for me.
Apr 4, 2014 5:26 PM

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Dec 2013
121
Fantastic film, just wish it was longer. I would love to see a sequel where they find each other again, though the chances of that happening a 0.000001%

This film reaffirms the fact that Shinkai Makoto's sole purpose on this earth is to make me cry like a 5 year old girl.

Whats my age again? WHERE IS MY ASIAN FRIEND!!!!!!!
Apr 11, 2014 4:54 AM

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Feb 2009
135
How come almost every series I watched lately had Kana Hanazawa as a lead voice actress? Though I'm far from complaining. Beautiful movie, though not perfect - could have needed some 10-15 minutes to explain conflicts in more detail.
Apr 14, 2014 4:40 AM
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Dec 2013
6021
Loved it and that hug and feels. Yukino is so cute and perfect. Her VA is perfect for her aswell.

i wonder what he said at the end?
Apr 14, 2014 4:55 AM

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Mar 2013
2801
Am I the only one who cringed when that music started as they hugged it out on the staircase?

Fucking made my ears bleed god it was awful.
[size=200]MAL AVATAR SYSTEM BLOWS
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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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