The art is is simple in design, yet the artists always retain a warm touch of loving beauty and detail in their drawing everywhere, whether it be doorways, details in the scene, the way the light or rain drops fall, or in the very movement of the characters. The animation is natural and fluid throughout, just mesmerizing you effortlessly into believing the reality of their world. Yet despite the simple look, the artists don't hesitate to dazzle you from time to time, immersing you in the beauty of the world when the characters see it. The restrained and calculated use of their best pulls you into their feelings wonderfully. You feel sad when they feel it, and happy and unbelievably content and grateful when they do. Simply by the ever so subtle unnoticeable shifts in art.
Another thing that struck me at the end, while I thought of them as amazing by the end, the characters aren't visually that cute or beautifu. Their design is minimalist and plain. Completely normal. And I think that was a wonderful choice on the creators part; the movie doesn't sell you on their looks or make you sympathize by their cuteness or crying faces but on their spirit and on the attachment that develops so naturally as you see them grow and live. They don't feel stereotypical at all but wonderfully relatable and nuanced people, that you feel that you come to know and care for.
The music is wonderfully in sync with their personalities and spirit and with their emotions and is gorgeous in its own right. Combined with the art, the effect is infectious. The ending theme and the nostalgia along with it is just unbelievably... the word doesn't come to me. I guess you feel sad. You feel love. Its a very pure feeling, the story comes back and wraps itself in its conclusion gently, your heart having followed it all the way, until it reaches the end, having been filled with love. Wrapped so comfortably feelings you didn't know you could feel.
Their world is filled with beauty because they choose to see it. Always find a reason to smile.
