Ill start with the animation. Although this is still the quality on the surface that befits a Shinkai film, it lacks the depth one has come to expect from this masterful director. Maybe this is due to me coming from the fantastical world of Children Who Chase... but I think I view objectively enough that this isn't the case. There are moments where more could have been done to add to the drama and emotion One of the best moments of the films for me that i must praise is toward the end, we are inside the floor of a derelict building and characters are trying to catch another. Animation wise here the suspense and drama is captured perfectly. This was the part of the film that, if i was on a seat, i would be on the edge of it. Sadly, this is the only part I say the animation perfectly fit with everything. There is also a chase scene that leads to this point to build the required suspense to create the moment in question as good as it was, either side of this moment however was a little safe for me. i would give 8/10
Music wise i feel was a little better than the animation. it all seemed to fit nicely, convey the emotions well, amplify them in some cases but I would still give this an 8/10 for music. Its funny that I am conveying an 8/10 as a bad thing. I guess it shows the quality and expectation that comes with watching a Maktoto Shinkai film.
Finally onto the story. I feel like it starts really well in depicting the struggle that Hodaka is facing. He has run away from home and finds himself in a rather depressing situation. This situation is broken by an act of kindness by Hina. This I believe is the foundation for the relationship. The act of a true selfless deed (if you have seen Friends, i know what you are thinking) by Hina, the only one who wasn't expecting something in return, metaphorically lifted a cloud away from Hodaka and let a little bit of sunshine into his life. What then precedes however feels a little like killing time, or filling it is probably more appropriate. There is a big chunk where an obvious connection is developing but is not overly visible. Somewhat like if a montage replaced actual character development. This is essentially what makes up the middle chunk of the story. This is then thankfully broken by a turning in the plot which then ultimately leads us to the scene mentioned in my second paragraph. It really is an outstanding piece of writing that builds to this moment and brings us to a satisfying release. I'm not sure what the metaphor is meant to be following the climax of the film. I'm sure there is deeper meaning in it than it just being a conclusion, I'm not smart enough to work it out anyway. 8/10 on story front for me.
This is still a good film. It has many points that could have been better but its still a film at the top end of quality for anime films and still one I would recommend to anime fans who don't just watch Shounen.
