Reviews

This is truly a powerful film with a gripping story and lots to unravel and think about afterwards. I only wish that the character designs had gone in a different direction - the uncomfortably-Miyazaki-esque art really hurt what the film accomplishes and kidify a movie that is much more mature and adult than its appearance suggests. The artwork is level of detail is really a benchmark, even in the digital era. The sound of cicadas, Anri Kumaki's haunting theme, splashing water - everything recorded and presented perfectly. There are also some real moments of action/terror in this thing - the bridge attack is more Saving Private Ryan than it is anime - makes me wish anime presented action this way more often.