STORY... The plot revolves around 2 siblings, an older brother named Seita, and his baby sister named Setsuko. The timeline is around World War II and the plot portrays how Seita and Setsuko try to survive during such harsh times. I'd like to mention more things about the plot's details and it's key events, but due to the short time of the movie, (about 1 hour and 30 minutes long) any further telling of the plot's details would result in spoiling. All you need to know is your heart and emotions will pour out to these 2 siblings as they suffer one devastating blow after another. And you may find yourselves asking by the end of the film, "What would I have done, in that situation, could I have handled it any better?" Or "How could such a thing have happened?'
ANIMATION... Now, this movie is pretty old, but I was amazed at how excellent the drawing designs are. When the characters display emotions such as when they cry, get angry, or smile it is portrayed in an excellent manner because it looks human, it looks real. The surrounding environment also has a realistic feeling to it. Death is even portrayed perfectly down to the gritty details. This Anime does it's best to display people and reality, and succeed it does.
SOUND... The soundtrack fits perfectly with the movie. Each key event is accompanied with an excellent music piece which ultimately engulfs you in the heavy tone and theme of the movie. When I watched the first few minutes, I could already feel a sad, depressing theme just by hearing the background music. It's as if the music is a hook that deliberately pulls at your emotions straight from your heart. It's just that good at accompanying the movie.
CHARACTERS... The siblings are the focal point of the movie. Seita is an admirable older brother as he does his very best to keep it together and take care of his baby sister and himself. Setsuko is absolutely adorable, and displays the true innocence of a child, and though she may be young, she knows how to adapt to her environment, and at times, she is stronger than Seita. You'll understand why when you watch. There are a number of side characters as well like the siblings' Aunt, and a few others. There are some side characters that you will dislike, but you'll end up accepting them as they are because sometimes there are people that you may have encountered in your own life and they are exactly the same as the side characters in the movie. Familiarity of human nature. All in all, the side characters play a role in the memorable and tragic fate of Seita and Setsuko. You will sympathize with Seita and Setsuko's actions until the very end...
OVERALL SCORE: 10/10= As Good As It Gets
STRENGTHS
+ Delivers excellently in all categories. (Story, Animation, Sound, Characters)
+ Emotionally striking. (This will hit home especially if you're an older brother who has a baby sister, or if you're a softie.)
+ Realistic enough to make any viewer understand, relate to, and sympathize with it.
+ Conveys an important life lesson: How truly fragile Life really is...
WEAKNESSES
(There are no weaknesses.)
Note: This is definitely a must-see for any serious Anime watcher. Personally, no other Anime has left a bigger emotional wound on my heart than this one. Watch this. You won't regret it.
