This review might be a bit long but i wanted to note all the key facts of why this series is such a great masterpiece, how ever it may not be for everyone. The first paragraph pretty much generally summarizes the show, if you want a more in depth review, then read on further.
"Now and Then Here and There" is such a phenomenal series. Absolutely one of my most favorite shows of all time. This show really captivated me as a viewer and i found the pacing to be just right for the 13 episodes that it told, the cliff hangers leave you wondering what is going to happen next and leaves you on the edge of your seat and the pacing is just right to give you that feeling that maybe.. there could be some shred of "hope" that is going to arise. This all culminates together nicely all leading up to the intense climax. Director Akitaro Daichi and writer of the series does an absolutely fantastic job. A very well scripted show, where each line of dialog seems to be said with some larger purpose behind it. This series is similar to both "Grave of the fireflies" and "Barefoot Gen" in that it portrays war through the eyes of a young teen. The savagery, the brutality, and how even through darkness, how hope can go a long way.
The story starts with a typical average teenage boy named Shu who is in a peaceful quite village. Enjoying Kendo with his partner. Shu, is an upbeat and energetic character who gives the series an aura of lightheartedness and humor. But, do not be fooled. Only for the first few minutes into the episode does this mood persist. After climbing a smokestack tower, Shu meets Lala Ru, a girl of little, if any, words. With a very quite demeanor personality, such a beautiful enchanting character, but yet full of such sadness. Suddenly out of no where they are both attacked by huge mechanical machines.
In trying to rescue her, Shu finds himself transported away from his cheery hometown of Japan into a dreary, desolate futuristic world adorned with the very fitting name of Hellywood. And this new place is sheer hell indeed. Shu finds himself prisoner on a dominating fortress where children from other parts of the world are being whipped into war soldiers. It turns out that Lala-Ru has a pendant that can bring water and life back to this desolate world, and the insane, maniacal despot who commands the fortress, "Hamdo", wants it at any cost. A dictator-like character who desires possession of Lala Ru, a physiological mad man that is the culprit of many of the victims in this on going struggle. Subjected to physical torture and abuse, Shu is forced to become a soldier and observe one horrifying atrocity of war after another. All well trying to keep a determined and positive attitude to escape this hellish world.
It is from there that the real anime reveals itself and the audience can't help but be captivated in the power it unleashes with every second. Shu sees mere children, his age and even younger, carrying guns and obeying military orders commanded by the almighty Hamdo. Through many discouraging hurdles cross Shu's path he never lets go of that hope no matter how intensely it wanes.
"It rouses a bittersweet and almost heartbreaking fondness". This quote used at the beginning of the show, really describes the essence of this series. As the plot continues on, you watch as the characters grow up and become corrupted by the ways of war and also learn how a crave for power can only bring destruction. You become so intertwined with the characters themselves that you can feel the pain in their wounds, the sorrow in the tears and even the relief in their smiles.
This show is very similar to "grave of the fireflies" and Barefoot Gen in that it deals with the consequences of war as well as the plights of lonely individuals struggling to survive. Here, however, the trauma is turned up by a huge notch. The children forced into war are a rather surly, sometimes confrontational bunch forced to commit terrible crimes against their will, making this a potentially sadder and bleaker story. There are even plenty of scenes which involve back-lashing, murder, genocide, child exploitation and others that leave little to the imagination. But all these seem like nothing compared to one particularly mean-spirited subplot, in which a young American girl, Sara, is raped by one of Hamdo's soldiers.
The animation style is appropriately dark and imaginative and suitable for the theme portrayed in this type of series. The melancholy musical score is very fitting, often emitting the feeling of fondness, hope or intense sadness.
The feeling Now and Then, Here and There gave me is simply indescribable. Never before have I viewed an anime of such power, intensity and pure emotion. Most of the time I was on the edge of my seat and I always caught my mouth gaping open. Both the original Japanese and English dubbed versions were magnificent. The art itself was amazing even if it lacked the common anime features of pointy faces and noses, enormous eyes and what-not. But, that aspect is what made this anime even more appealing. It gave the whole series a realistic feel and i recommend it to anyone who is looking for a beautiful directed well written show that makes you judge how sweet life can really be. This is by far one of the best written and most emotionally powerful anime series ever created.
10/10
