I don't want to make it this review as much as a summary but it seems like I already have. But to truly enjoy this story, you need to have at least a slight understanding of where each character is coming from and the sorrows they had to endure. Now imagine a person you treasured died and then 2 years later, you find them sitting in the hospital bed alive and speaking. What would you say, think, and feel? How about if this treasured person suicide BECAUSE of YOU, at least that's what the impression you're under and he/she comes up and starts hugging you like a best friend who you haven't seen in ages. I know how I would feel, I would feel dumbfounded because that's how I felt while watching that scene.
To truly appreciate this movie, you must be able to sympathize with these characters. I love how 'books' (which aren't real... UNFORTUNATELY) were used as a median to transmit feelings and thoughts. A lot of references were made to famous books and I just love how the characters in the story had their own interpretation of the characters in the book. It's literally stories within stories. If you were actively engaged in the movie, you would start to try to put the puzzles together. What did Campanella mean she wants to take the railway to a place for fun? How does that transmit to share her happiness with everybody? Is it because it's a process, kind of like a train and its destination and that she'll go to many places and wherever she goes, happiness will be spread?
There's also a brilliant theme that they touched upon in the movie where if you don't like yourself for which you are, then change. Become the person who you always wanted to be. Don't forget who you were and what you truly believed in. Inspiration is a beautiful thing when seized and Konoha received it twice in his lifetime, which lead to his productions of two best sellers (assuming his second book (called Literature Girl) is one too, which I think it is because this movie is amazing, wink, wink).
I've read in other reviews that people seem dumbfounded by the idea that this Literature Girl is eating books. Well, I can see what you mean but I guess the purpose in her eating the book is to add a supernatural air around her. It's to add depth into a character that is so lively, yet so knowledgeable. It also makes you believe in what she says about books because hey, she eats them for peat sakes.
Well now for the knitty gritty. How was the animation? Awesome. Blu-ray 1080p = win. The literature girl (blue hair one, sorry I suck with names) was so adorable. I love her facial expressions! I actually watched the 2 OVAs first and then the movie and I think it was the right choice. I was given a little taste of the story and the movie just blew me away. I can't wait for the 3rd and final OVA.
How was the sound? I don't really pay attention to 'sound' when I watch an anime. It is only until I download the soundtrack do I find how many amazing pieces are in the story. I am sure the sound does sound good though in this anime because it had a very calming feel to it and when things got intense, the feelings you get do transmit and only good sounds can help accomplish those feelings.
Overall? Win! I feel inspired, hey, I even wrote this review, which I don't do much (I think some can tell due to me summarizing/spoiling, hah, oh well). I personally don't like who I am right now, but I know I will one day. I would just like to finish up by saying that there really is new anime that are actually worth watching and may do the viewer some good because I sure feel inspirited!
P.S.
Why do you think she suicide attempted to suicide? Well I think it's because once she saw how Konoha became an author, she felt like she will no longer be needed. Pretty simple yet I don't think it's far from the truth, especially given to her circumstances and her personality that stemmed from the problems in her life.
