Kaede has become stronger. While even walking to the apartment door used to be a struggle, she now dares to walk longer distances. She also makes her first real friends again with Nodoka. Her biggest dream, however, is to attend her brother's Minegahara high school. But then Sakuta is again caught up in the thought that Panda-Kaede, with whom he has bonded over the last two years, has disappeared and whether, despite her progress, an online school would not be better for his sister. Despite all adversities, Kaede wants to achieve her goal and immerse herself in the world of a normal high school student.
In contrast to the series, the movie does not contain any supernatural elements. The events in the movie could just as easily take place in real life. Nevertheless, the moveie manages to capture tension from a relatively unspectacular situation. You really get excited about whether Kaede can achieve her goals and, for example, manage to walk her way to school. It also gives an insight into her emotional world and you can really imagine the suffering she is under after the bullying situation - for example, her fear of being stared at is well captured, so that even people without anxiety disorders at least get an idea of the pressure she must be under.
What I also liked is that Sakuta's conflict is highlighted again, something that was completely absent in the first film. No matter how he turns it - it always feels to him as if he has lost a sister. And Kaede also notices that the last two years have left their mark.
First of all, the movie won't bring Panda-Kaede back, but provides a conciliatory, reconciling conclusion between the different personalities of Kaede Azusagawa. If someone was left sad at the end of the first season about the disappearance of their beloved Panda-Kaede, they will be presented with a differentiated perspective of a strong personality who is looking forward to her future.
If you expect a complex story with multiple twists and turns on different levels like in the first movie, you won't get your money's worth here. However, if you really like Kaede and watch her bravely go her own way, you will really enjoy the movie. It would probably worked as a regular episode too, but it really was an experience to see, in a full cinema, how the audience were literally hanging on Kaede's every word and cheering her on as she took her steps back to life.
Now I really want to visit pandas.
