The plot is as simple as it gets: your average "girl next door" love story, childhood friends, boy develops feelings for girl, girl doesn't know what to do with it all. Awkwardness, emotional struggle, soul searching, friendships, and a really sweet ending. Sometimes, less is more, and that's very true for this movie. There is no overwrought, soul-ripping drama, no over-complicated story, no needlessly blowing things out of proportions, no cringeworthy slapstick or fanservice, just a boy and a girl trying to untangle their feelings for each other. [I admit, I did not watch Tamako Market. However, at no point in the movie I felt like I missed anything. This is a complete story on it's own.]
The characters are perfect, is all I can say. They are not blown-up caricatures or tropes, no idealized moe dolls, they are....human. With all the hopes, dreams, faults and struggles that come with that. If you've ever been in love, you're gonna feel every single iota of their struggle, from Mochizo's silent anguish to Tamako's confused turmoil, it's all pretty well conveyed through the movie.
The art is incredible! As expected from KyoAni, they are on a whole other level when it comes to animation quality. The entire movie is amazing to look at, and I especially love the little touches KyoAni adds to their animation, the subtle details of the characters expressions, motions, textures, down to the smallest props and background elements, that elevates the whole thing to an experience instead of just a movie. It was beautiful.
The sound design and the VO is great! The music is good, too. It's not stellar, pretty average anime fare, with some pop-rock songs strewn about, but it keeps the atmosphere up pretty nicely.
There is really nothing else I can add to this. Go watch it! An easy movie with a cute love story that will make you feel feelings. The animation is incredible, the characters are real, and it won't bankrupt you emotionally. What more can you ask for? I wholeheartedly recommend it!
