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Firstly, this review is for "the MOVIE" (part 1 and part 2) that was released in Japan. It is not the TV series.
I have not seen the original manga and TV series.

Summary:
The world view, art, and voice actors are all wonderful.
Part 1: A story about high school girls going about their daily lives in a dystopian world. It depicts common stories from modern society, and is a real part of everyday life. I found myself nodding in agreement many times. However, I don't feel like I want to see the second part right away.
Part 2: The story unfolds in the first part and picks up ... where it left off. The final scene seems to be different from the original, but the contrast between dystopia and everyday life was wonderful.

People who should watch it: People who like anime that are set in a scary world but still focus on the main character (Sekai-kei). People who want to know how the Japanese version of the movie ended.
People who shouldn't watch it: People who are sleepy (The story is difficult).

(+) Amazing visuals
The mecha and characters are depicted very clearly and emotionally. The voice actors are also well-suited.

(+) Involvement of the original author
The original author's statement is quoted verbatim.
"The relationship between the manga author and the film adaptation is difficult. It is best to have no involvement as much as possible. But in reality, I was involved in everything from the concept to the casting meetings. In the end, I asked for 100 to 200 retakes for just the last chapter, and I retouched some parts myself."

(+) Interesting setting
As you can see from the trailer, there is a mysterious object, and it is already a dystopian society. In this setting, the daily lives of the protagonists are visualized. While accepting the dystopia, the protagonists are troubled and deepen their thoughts through the problems that have become even more apparent due to the dystopia. Differences in values, biased thinking, trends on the Internet, and their own will. In the end, it (should) be summarized in the theme of "my thoughts."

Final thoughts:
if this work is to be made attractive, a TV series would be best choice. (So Users not residing in Japan who can watch the TV series are lucky. I hope it will be released in Japan as well.)
Why was it released in Japan as a movie? In Japan, the second part has many scary scenes, so it was given a viewing rating of PG12. Therefore, I think it can no longer be aired as a TV series.
Of course, the movie is powerful, and the end of the second part is a climax suitable for a movie. There were benefits to being a movie (scary scenes that can only be depicted because it is PG12, the power of the screen), but my impression is that I would have liked to see it as a TV series.

The world view, pictures, and voice actors are all wonderful, but the way it was released lowers the value of the work. Why did you change the distribution method between Japan and other? Why did you create Episode 0? I think it's a waste. The actions of the producers of this film make no sense.

At this point, it is unclear how the TV version will end, but if it is the same as the movie, there is probably no need to bother watching the movie. However, if you're looking for a big impact, it may be worth seeing this movie on the big screen.

Summary: The story continues flatly without any interesting points along the way. Therefore, I was not able to empathize with the characters. The story then reaches its final phase, but the emotional buildup is weak throughout. Therefore, their actions felt cheap. I think they could have extended the screening time and added more elements.
However, you can meet high school girls and idol who are realistic, even though it is fiction. You can only see this in this movie. After watching the movie, can you empathize with the main character?

People who should watch it: People who like 3D (Real) idols.
People who shouldn't watch it:People who ... want to watch a fun movie (If you're expecting an idol anime you'll be disappointed. However, the way it depicts the student life is unique.)

Information: The original is a novel serialized in a magazine by an active idol (She is now retired).

I haven't seen the original novel.

(+) Interesting perspective
There are many anime that depict hischool student life. However, it is rare to come across an anime like this.

(-) The ending feels far away
The story is simple. The ending is also somewhat foreseeable. That's why the story continues flatly, and I was patiently wondering when the movie would end. If I hadn't seen it at the cinema, I would have stopped watching it.

I've only commented on the story, but the pictures, voices and music are good. In other words, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about it.

After watching it to the end, I had a strange feeling that it was realistic, even though it was fiction. After watching it, I was reminded of my student days, so I think it was worth it.
The reviews in Japan are polarized. I would like to watch it again to see why it was "not for me" this time, but I probably won't.
To be honest, I have a dislike for the main character. I wonder if the movie couldn't have been made a little milder. However, if they had done that, the individuality of the movie would have been lost.

Final thoughts: It was a story without any surprises. Maybe that's why it felt realistic. That reality is what makes this movie so valuable. However, I am neither a high school girls nor an idol, so some parts of it felt real(As I remembered the past..), while others felt like Unrealistic. However, the author of this story is a real idol, so it may be real.

Review summary: The theme is "Music". It's fun to watch. But, The adventures along the way seem a little boring. However, at the end, All play a grand orchestra. Highly recommended.

(+)Music is the theme. Of course it will be a fun movie.
This year's movie theme was "Music." I think it was a difficult theme, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable movie. Doraemon and his friends also move in a very comical way to match the music.
Most Japanese children learn to play the recorder in elementary school because it is easy to carry, durable, and inexpensive. It is chosen as one of the ... best instruments for learning finger movements, breathing, and melody. (The recorder sounds that Nobita makes were performed by Kurihara from the Kuricorder Quartet, my favorite band.)

(+)The guest characters are cute
This time, the character who will join Nobita on his adventure is "Mikka". Her character design and voice are both very cute. I also felt that the color of Doraemon's blue was adjusted to match Mikka.

(+)Science elements are included
Doraemon is a science fiction story called "Sukoshi Fushigi." Elements that make children interested in space are silently embedded as important points in the story.

(-)In the middle of the story, it's unclear what the goal is.
In the middle of the story, Doraemon and Nobita and his friends go on an adventure, but it was hard to understand why they were heading forward. (For example, if they were heading towards a big enemy, it would be clear, but that wasn't the case this time.)


Well,
There is an enemy in this movie, but you'll be able to figure out what it is. We, and especially musicians, have had a hard time in the last few years. At the end of the movie, a huge symphony plays. I remembered and cried. This is the most unforgettable Doraemon movie I've seen in recent years. It was a wonderful earth symphony performance!

(FYI, In the Weekly Doraemon TV series, I can watch not only the animated versions of the original manga, but also new original stories. Like this movie, Sometimes, current topics are featured in the new stories. The Doraemon animation team is creative! A memorial movie for the 90th anniversary of Fujiko F Fujio's birth. Thank you for the fun work.)

Review summary: A story from before the war to during the war. However, this is a story that goes beyond that. The core of this story is Totto-chan's life. I think this is one of the best animated films. Check out the characters and art background images in the trailer. It's a lot of effort.

Who should watch: People who have seen "Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni (In This Corner of the World)". People who like foreshadowing.
Who should not watch: This movie shows everyday life, so it can be boring for people who want to enjoy the highs and lows of their emotions.

This is an ... anime adaptation of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's autobiographical novel. There is probably no one in Japan who doesn't know her, who is also active as an actress, entertainer, and TV show host. The novel has been translated into over 20 languages and over 25 million copies have been published.

(+) It's fun to watch the characters
The characters are cute. It seems like they are trying to give it a Showa feel. And it moves well. In particular, the main character, Totto-chan (=Tetsuko Kuroyanagi), runs around freely. You can clearly see her free-spirited personality.

(+) Create amazing art backgrounds
It seems like they tried to faithfully reproduce it. The director interviewed her. The inside of the house and school are also depicted in detail. Art backgrounds is drawn in poster color on drawing paper.

(+) Easy to notice story
Totto-chan is a rich girl. I didn't know about the daily life of wealthy families in pre-war Tokyo (though the war was actually started). There have been several animated movies based on World War II, but most of them are from local cities, including Hiroshima. Therefore, There were many things I learned for the first time. Western architecture is stylish, rich.
This story takes place before and during the war. In other words, we can see that the situation is gradually becoming a state of war. This is subtly revealed in the background and facial expressions, and can be noticed by those watching the movie.

Sorry, I couldn't find any negative points ...

Well,
IMPORTANT points of this movie:
Anti-war is just one element of this story. The core of this story is Totto-chan's life. This movie based on her autobiography.

Totto-chan is free-spirited. She causes trouble to her teacher and is forced to transfer her school. At the new school, Totto-chan grows up freely and in accordance with the school's educational policy. And she interacts with her disabled friend. This is the main storyline.

In Director's interview says: People with disabilities may have been exposed to discrimination, and children's freedom was taken away in Japan at the time. So, children with disabilities must have suffered even more psychologically. When people from overseas see this movie, I would be happy if they could empathize with the situation that children were in at the time, rather than just seeing it as a Japanese anti-war movie.

Finally, here are my impressions.
This movie has no emotional ups and downs. Therefore, it may feel a little boring at times. I was the same. But, when I quietly came to a realization from the movie, I felt a pain in my heart. It's a movie with a lot of hooks that tug at your heartstrings.

I think Totto-chan will expand your world.

Review summary: The characters are cute. However, compared to the past two works, the theme setting is more realistic.
Who should see it: People who thought the characters were cute!

Sumikko Gurashi are characters with unique personalities that are popular in Japan. Sumikko means, for example, in long seat train, in a cafe, the seats at the edge are comfortable. A character with a personality that is common among Japanese people (I have the same personality). This empathy attracts many fans.

Due to the character author's by thought, Sumikko characters do not speak. The story progresses through narration and text.

(+) Always cute !!
The characters' personalities are introduced at ... the beginning of the movie, so even if you're seeing this movie for the first time, you'll probably enjoy it. This time, it's a story that will please people who like polar bear "Shirokuma".

(?) A bit of a realistic story
The first and second movies had strong fantasy elements. This story is about making toys in a factory. Therefore, themes such as work and loss are included in the movie. The first and second movies had a lot of fantasy elements, but this one confused me because it made me imagine reality. I think this could have been a little softer in the way it was expressed.

(-) Lack of adventure
In the first and second movies, the characters are doing their best to solve problems and go on adventures. However, I think there were fewer adventures in the third movie.
Maybe I'm stuck in a fixed mindset, but I want to tell this. Movies allow you to tell a story over a long period of time. One thing that Japanese children's animated movies (for example, Doraemon) have in common is the character's adventures. Sumikko's will be adventurous and active again this time. But I felt the adventure was small. Also, the characters do things that help the characters appearing in this movie, but I was disappointed that part of the story was summarized in the end credits.　It should be a story that can be included in the main story in 3 minutes. Why is it in the end credits?

My overall impressions are a little mixed. But maybe that's because I'm an adult and think about it a lot on movie. But, Children will have a lot of fun watching this animated movie.

In Sumikko's movies, the characters do not speak, and the story progresses with a narrator assisting the story. It's interesting that anime like this exists. I would like you to see it at least once, but if possible I would recommend the first or second movie (Especially the first movie is excellent).

Sumikko's is quiet. If possible, Sumikko's would like to stay out of things. However, Sumikko's gets caught up in an adventure (with the arm of a crane game machine). Even in that situation, I want to see Sumikko's going on adventures and encouraging others. I'm really looking forward to Sumikko's next adventure.

Review summary: A nice 70 minute animated movie. It's packed with just the right amount of happy, tearful, and bit a dark scenes.
Who should watch: People who liked movie paintings by movie trailer. People who like anime about workplace. Also recommended for children.
Who should not watch: There's no thrill or suspense. You will become sleepy.

(Note: I have not read the original manga.)

(+) A colorful department store and many animals appear.
As you can see from the movie's trailer, it's colorful. The four seasons are beautifully painted. Also, many animals (including extinct animals) appear, so it's fun to watch.

(+) A story about getting used to job.
A story ... about the main character getting used to her job. Episodes from the original manga are seamlessly connected. The main character's voice was also great. Watching movie warms my heart.

(+) Nice script.
There is a bit of secret in the worldview (background) of this work, but it was expressed very weakly in the movie. Those who know the original story may have mixed reviews, but I have a good impression about this script. The result is a movie that can be recommended to children. I also praise the way the movie was neatly put together in a short 70 minutes.

(-) Doesn't leave a strong impression.
This movie doesn't leave a strong impression on me. Some people may find the story to be flat. but it's a very heartwarming movie.

When I was a child, my parents took me to a department store. It evoked the emotion of the time. Thank you for making the movie!

Review summary: Fantastic MAPPA art work. The story is difficult to understand. But a story you can't get anywhere else.
Who should see it: Interested in story that closed space and feelings. Or People who have seen Mari Okada's past works.

(+) Fantastic Art Work
Produced by MAPPA. The worldview, the description of the steel mill, the expressions of the characters, everything was wonderful. If you've seen the trailer, Fantastic Art work continues from beginning to end. If you know MAPPA, I would recommend watching the movie.
This story is set in January 1991. I'm glad that the scenery from my childhood has been clearly captured in a movie. ... Example, Beverage vending machines and shopping streets.

(+) music
In addition to fantastic art work, it was a wonderful music. It expresses a closed space and feelings. It's close to the character. And, Miyuki Nakajima's ending theme song is wonderful as a closing song for the story. Even if it's translated into another language, I hope it reaches as many people as possible. This is a song that hopes to overcome many things and move forward strongly into the future.

(-) difficult story
It was impossible for me to understand everything about the setting of the story the first time. (I found it cathartic, but my thoughts remained confused). Looking at Japanese reviews, many said that it was difficult to understand. I read guess in many reviews and finally understood the whole story.

(+) The actions that result from the feeling of love are strongly expressed
After understanding the overall story, I watched the movie again. An atmosphere filled with the feelings of many characters. The actions that result from the feeling of love are strongly expressed. Run through that atmosphere with strong force towards the ending. The second viewing was satisfying.

How should I introduce this movie? If I were to compare this movie, I would think of "Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho". The reason for this is not only the character, but also the area is closed. However, this movie is more damp, dark, and horror-like.

Some Japanese reviewers have tried to understand this work from Mari Okada's past works and her autobiography, "From the time I couldn't go to school until I wrote Anohana and Kokosake". If anyone wants to know more about the work, look for it. You can see that the director's personality is too strong in this work.
It's good things that the director's personality is reflected in the works. The problem is that the story and setting are difficult to understand.

I wasn't sure whether to Recommended or Mixed Feelings, but I decided to recommend it. I don't think it's a movie at the general public. Is there any value in a movie if you can't understand it in one viewing? However, if you are interested, I recommend watching this movie. It has strong power. I'm sure some MAL members will rate this movie highly. I hope that more people will see it and the discussion on the forum will grow.

My first impression.
The story and the position of the guest characters are new and challenging. However, I thought it was a waste because there was little explanation of the character's background.

Good points:
- Adventure stage
Doraemon movies often have adventures in places far removed from the world Doraemon and his friends live in. For example, space away from the earth, ancient times, in the mirror.
This movie is also a story in a paradise floating in the sky. However, in this movie, it is closely related to the sphere of daily life. Looking at the pamphlet, the scriptwriter said, "At first, I thought that the town where Nobita ... and others lived would be the stage for adventure, and I thought of a story that doesn't go anywhere.(After that, it became a story in the sky)." This movie is less adventurous than usual. It's not a big stage. This point was new and challenging to me.

- Relationship with the main guest character
Guest characters appear in every Doraemon movie. Usually, the story develops a friendship with Nobita, but this time, it is especially developed with Doraemon as well. I would like to evaluate this point as a new element.

Disappointing points:
- It is difficult to understand the background of other guest characters who are not the main characters.
The main character this time is "So-nya". "So-nya" background shows up a lot, I can see why he shows up. But other characters came out of nowhere. Because the story progressed with little explanation, I couldn't understand the emotions of the characters.

- Same for Nobita and others
Nobita and the others fight the bad guys. Breaking out of a difficult situation, but this is too sudden. It would have been nice to have more props and tricks.

- Difficult to see highlights
As a template for the Doraemon movie, the highlight is the fight against the bad guy and the farewell to the main guest character. Both seem weak in this movie. Since This movie not adventurous, Also it's hard to understand the final catharsis of returning to everyday life.

The message the film conveys:
This movie has a strong message. However, I thought it might be a little difficult for children to understand. (Good message. It's like a sci-fi short story by Fujiko F. Fujio.)

To summarize the final impression.
I don't think this movie was a movie that children would enjoy. It was a movie with an important message, but Doraemon's movie is a chance for Nobita and his friends to go on a big adventure once a year. This movie wasn't adventurous enough.

I felt unsatisfactory because the new original movie (not remakes movie) have been good for the past few years. Umm. Reviews in Japan have both good and bad reviews. It certainly has a message that fits the current situation in Japan, and I can understand why it is rated so well. This time I made a strict reviews. But, If you've been watching Doraemon movies for a long time, I want you to watch them as much as possible. Doraemon is always by your side.

My first impression. The foreshadowing is wonderful. Reminds me of my childhood. A slightly dark story continues, but at the end you can see the path of light.

- Great foreshadowing
As written in the story synopsis, this is the story of seven junior high school students who are unable to go to school due to various problems, and the castle's master, who wears a wolf mask.
The original novel was released in 2017. In 2018, the bookstore grand prize (given to the book that bookstores want to sell the most). Many people admire this story.

I saw the movie without reading the original novel. Until the middle of ... the story, there are scenes that calm down, but overall it's dark. There is also fear. However, at the end, the foreshadowing gathers and the heart trembles at the ending. By the middle of the movie, I kind of figured out the trick of the movie. When I finally figured out that it was the right answer, my emotions were greatly elevated. It may be a simple, common trick. But a wonderful script that could make use of that trick.

I think fans of the original novel will be happy with this movie. Of course, the original author is also pleased (details will be described later). I want to read the original novel as soon as possible.

- Character expressions and clothes
Junior high school students who are unable to do not go to school. The theme is a little heavy. Sometimes they darken their faces, sometimes they get scared. But they also have times when their hearts soften, and times when they have courage. Many facial expressions are drawn. Personally, I like how the character's clothes change with the seasons. Of course, the everyday world and castles are also wonderful.


Well,
In my reviews, I often write about what it looked like when it was released in Japan. This time, I was able to participate in a talk event with director Keiichi Hara and author Miduki Tsujimura.
Director Keiichi Hara has been join in many Japanese animations, including the Crayon Shin-chan movie. The original author of Miduki Tsujimura is a popular writer. Her novels are often turned into drama series and movies.

## After that, little spoilers





There were various talk topics, but I would like to tell MAL two things.

1. In the middle of the movie, characters say great lines. (That is, I highly recommend watching with subtitles.) At the talk event, I was able to see the post-recorded script, but the lines was handwritten. In other words, a lines that was added at the director's idea during recording. The director apparently recorded it as Plan B, but he realized it worked as a foreshadowing, so it was used.

2. "Anywhere door" shoes problem. They go back and forth between the room and the castle through mirrors. Like Doraemon and Nobita. When Tujimura wrote the novel he wasn't thinking about shoes. However, Director Hara prepared shoes in front of the mirror. Tsujimura seems to have been impressed by this. This is with Doraemon!
Tsujimura says he loved Hara's anime since he was a kid. Especially Chimpui. (Tsujimura has also written a script for a Doraemon movie [Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Chronicle of the Moon Exploration (movie 2-14)] ). Director Hara has participated in Doraemon and other Fujiko F. Fujio animations for many years.
Tsujimura was thrilled to be working with one of his favorite animators, Hara. Great anime makes great animators for future.


A personal story at the end of the review.
I thought back to my childhood. There were times when I was sad. It's a small thing now, but I remember the feeling. Children's world is small because what they can do with their power is limited. Especially Japanese children. I remember struggling too. What I can do is release that littleness.
And do the exact same thing for me as an adult.

My first impression and summary.
A movie that captures the current Japan. Human warmth and strength. It was a movie that gave me the little courage to walk in life. Of course, there are many comical elements, and I enjoyed it. And, I've been a fan of the director for a long time and I'm glad he wrote a fantasy with less ads!

- Movie that captures the current Japan.
Shinkai is good at cutting out Japanese landscapes and putting them in movies. Last time, he focused on Tokyo. This time in various regions of Japan. Train (A nostalgic train comes out. It's been scrapped little ... by little, but I was happy that he captured it in the movie.), Ports, tangerine fields, highways, rural shopping districts, and cities.
Landscapes are not just pictures. He's great at capturing the atmosphere of Japan. To give an example in this movie, Japanese people feel a sense of stagnation toward the end of the world due to population decline. And people's reaction when an earthquake early warning arrives (people are surprised by the sound of their smartphones, but earthquakes happen occasionally in Japan, so people don't take any big action. not good.).
Personally, I was happy to see the reduction in Ads. In the previous movie, this collaboration with companies was little noisy. (Of course, I understand that it was necessary to draw the landscapes and atmosphere at last movie)

- Loss and its future.
Many Shinkai movies present us with this theme. The same theme was presented in this movie. He speaks in a booklet. "If I can make the final sentence of the movie resound in the hearts of the audience with a sense of reality, then there is meaning in making this movie. With that in mind, I made the movie."
After hearing the last word, I watched the movie for the second time the next day. How wonderful an ordinary day is and how fragile it is. I got it from conversations with family and friends, stories, and paintings. Even if I was anxious, morning will come. I go through life.


Now, I would like to write down the situation before and after the release date on MAL. I am a Japanese reviewer, so I want you to know the atmosphere of Japan.

The movie was completed on Oct22 (via twitter). Preview on Oct25(3 days later!). Already started collaboration with various companies. And it was released at midnight on Friday, Nov10.
A large movie theater movie theater in Tokyo shows more than 20 times a day. His movie attract a lot of interest.
And from the next day, Shinkai will hold teach-ins at many movie theaters. He appears in the theater where more than 100 people have seen the movie theater and accepts impressions and questions. This is something he has been doing for a long time and I have participated in many of his past works. I was lucky enough to participate, so I would like to share the contents of the session.

- Make a movie with determination
A 18 pages booklet was presented to the visitors. It is unusual for a movie concept to be distributed. His movies are influential. In this movie, it is a bit dangerous to release the movie in Japan, Some people will feel sad. So it is necessary to express the concept (determination) on a separate sheet. At least I think so. He had determination and made a movie. I was impressed by this determination. but he spoke at the teach-in. "I trusted the audience" Cool. I can't find any other words to praise. That's all I want to leave in MAL. I'll leave it to other reviews to explain why determination was necessary.


Summarize at the end
A movie that expresses "loss and its future" with a strong determination. Shinkai said at the release of "Your Name", "It's packed with elements from the movies I made." This movie adds more knowledge gained from "Your Name" and "Weathering with You". i was fulfilled.
I'm really looking forward to the next movie! I hope the next movie stays with me too.