I didn’t get my sweet pink candy alright.
This film was enjoyable, but it was strange.
Ok, art first. It is amazing. The landscapes are such a treat. It was the backbone of this anime, it brought together the plot, the narration, the atmosphere.
On top of that, the music and sounds imbued the right mood and this real-life feel to all the scenes. I feel like the people doing the animations and sound effects were so aware of what they were doing and exactly what kind moods they wanted to create; they managed to bring out a lovely ambience with the work they did. The anime only showcased ordinary places and routine activities, but there was a wistful, gentle edge injected in them. Each scene seemed significant.
*** HIGHLY 'IMO' OPINION ALERT***
But now, I’m going to comment on a specific part of the animation. This is where I’m going to start talking about why I coined this film as ‘strange’. To be honest, the following is going to be very opinionated, all based solely on my personal interpretation.
At some parts, the characters’ faces really creeped me out. It is hard to explain why exactly they made me uncomfortable. They just seemed plastic and their eyes were like glass. However, let me stress that this was not the case for ALL the scenes; just a few. More so in the beginning.
I also found the scene in chapter one, where they kissed under the tree to have an especially eerie aura. This I have a pressing urge to explain in detail. In my initial review, I explained it with pictures as I used Wordpress. I can't here so I'll try my best to explain.
Even though this was supposed to be one of the most romantic moments in the entire film (they kissed under a cherry blossom tree, come on), it did not leave me feeling warm inside. (Ok, maybe everyone is going to disagree with me and think I’m crazy but I don’t care, I’m saying what I want, this is my damn review)
Why this scene creeped me out:
#1 The boy's expression when he was confessing his love
Look at his face. It’s freaking creeping me out. If a guy looked at me like that, with those blank eyes, while confessing to me in the dead of the night, I would lose my shit.
#2 Two of them kissing under the tree
Their faces are completely blank here. It keeps bugging me for some reason, like it’s supposed to have some hidden meaning.
#3 While they're still kissing under the tree
They kiss rather mechanically and with arms rigid at their sides. The cherry blossom tree is dried and lifeless and looms ominously above them, like a sign hinting at the troubles ahead. The tree, in its former glory with beautiful blossoming flowers and falling petals was where the sweet memories of their childhood together were made. And now, it has lost those flowers and color. It’s like symbolising a new beginning for them, as if saying it was not going to be rosy like in the past. I might be reading too much into this but that is how I feel. Suck it.
***END OF HIGHLY OPINIONATED OPINION***
Now, we transition into the plot. It was a tragic love story for me, which I’m not going to describe in further detail. I do write spoilers, but I won’t for this one because I think you should step into this movie with your own expectations. All I am willing to say is that this anime illustrates the more destructive side of love.
Just a note though, for those who have seen it (but not enough of a big spoiler for those who haven’t), the passing train scene in chapter one, and then the similar one in chapter three, it was a smart way of firmly establishing the fate of their relationship and of how things were to end.
This anime, despite its gentle art and music, had a dark and pensive undertone, and that is why I described it as ‘strange’.
SUMMARY
Animation: 10/10
Music: 9/10
Characters: 7/10 (not intriguing enough as individuals, but carried out the moods and story perfectly)
Story: 8/10
Overall: 8/10 (Very good)
Bottom line: Animation is top-notch, story seems simple on the surface but it encourages deeper thoughts and reflection. Slow pacing, so some might find it hard to sit through. But I think all should give it a try and decide for yourself if the hype about this anime is really true.
