Story (10/ 10):
While the story is not as perhaps intricate and intense packed as standard drama anime, the way the story develops and presented is gives this movie a deeper sense of meaning and profoundness. The presentation and style fits the mood perfectly and enables the watcher to analyze and consider the gray world of romance that Shinkai presents. Without the need for arguments and anger, there is a redefinition of the word agony.
What sets the story apart from other typical romantic dramas is that there is less reliance upon typical tropes to develop attachment and feeling of loss. While no person is at fault, in portraying something beyond humans, reality, as the antagonistic force, the story becomes something that the watcher can connect to and interpret and to put it a certain way: Make the movie one’s own.
Art (10/ 10) :
Art was well done and the usage of perhaps more monotone colors in dreary scenes and light ones in bright scenes is especially well done to juxtapose the emotions of the characters. Scenery and characters were well designed. While characters are fairly normal looking, this is very much intentional as Shinkai seemingly attempts to portray characters as usually people who are simply a victim of reality
Sound (8/ 10):
Aside from the ending song, the sound was relative standard in quality nothing quite remarkable, but befitting of the nature of the movie.
Characters (8/ 10):
While, the plain characterization is most likely intentional, there was something I felt was lacking at times in character development. Regardless, the one thing that was especially well done was contrasting the male and female MC’s development throughout this tragedy. I won’t reveal details, but this is perhaps among the focal points of the anime.
Enjoyment(10/ 10/ Overall (9.5/10) :
Overall, I would consider this a well-crafted masterpiece. Nothing flashy or bright, but none the less, intriguing, thought-provoking, or emotional. I really enjoyed it and pondered the meaning and choices Shinkai made for a long time after watching. Truly an experience worth having.
