I think a lot of people get caught up with Rikako being an unlikable character or how the show feels so different to that of other Ghibli movies. In a way those statements are true but this show isn't about any of that. I believe in its heart, this show is a love letter to youth and nostalgia. I think Yutaka set the tone early in the show when he said he'll remember the school did something wrong if they canceled the class trip, even 20 years after graduation.
The peak of the show was definitely the class reunion. Its nice to see everyone just get past all the dramatic nonsense of high school and just be more adult.
Overall I enjoyed this movie a lot. I may not recommend it to anyone younger but for us older folks past college, I think this show is like eye candy down memory lane.
PS: This show was the first Ghibli show to not be directed by Isao Takahata or Hayao Miyazaki and I gotta say the younger studs of Ghibli definitely have a very nice sense of fashion. The wardrobe of the characters seem like something I might definitely pick up next time I'm going thrift shopping lol.
