Sometimes it's the small things in life that cause the most influence.
The story of a middle schooler, Makoto Kobayashi who commit suicide after witnessing some - to him - emotionally crushing events.
Now a random soul in a room of souls, here to basically be banished from the ability to reincarnate, has won "The Lottery" to be reincarnated whether he wants to or not. He will inhabit the recently deceased Makoto, and in order to complete "The Trial" he must remember his sin, almost without any help.
His family and a few people along the way try to help him in his life.
This is a strange film. It is almost unbearably depressing, and even more so, because it very realistic.
But, it is a very deep film, with some amazing lines that are hard to miss. Although, I only noticed most of them around the last 30 minutes of the film.
This is most definitely a slice of life film in a realistic, drama filled setting. The type of drama in this picture is extremely passive aggressive, with unaddressed remorse and regret. Being someone who has experienced and been apart of this type of personality, it really hit home and made me feel more depressed while watching.
You can tell I do not like these types of films.
But that is just me, this film is beautiful work.
They took a realistic approach with the art, which made the story even more effective. The animation is mostly fluid, and facial expressions are well done.
The music in this film is your basic Kow Ohtani sound, except higher quality. You could say it's in league with the score of "Haibane Renmei" respectively. Other than a couple of pieces that annoyed me (I've listened to a lot of Kow Ohtani), It fit the production very well. Amazingly he managed to make the film feel even more depressing.
The seiyuu are mostly very well done. Sometimes Makoto sounds like a man doing a high pitch voice though (apparently that is what the Seiyuu is actually doing, go figure). Some scenes with yelling (Not many yelling scenes) could have used a bit more power in the diaphragm in my opinion.
Every character in this show is dysfunctional. Makoto's family is extremely dysfunctional, including Makoto.
PuraPura is an "Angel" who gave the "random" spirit, now in the body of Makoto, a "Second Chance".
Makoto Kobayashi is the character that you learn about in this film, so any development here would spoil the movie. I'll mention that he's confused in the beginning.
Makoto no Haha is Makoto's mother, she has some personal problems.
Makoto no Chichi is Makoto's dad, he has some personal problems.
Mitsuru Kobayashi is Makoto's brother, he also has some personal problems.
They are mostly not addressed, but you can tell on their faces and in the way they speak to each other.
Satome, Hiroka, and Shouko are the "Friends" that help Makoto remember his sin and basically live, all in a very dysfunctional way.
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This film is a great film, it teaches the importance of being alive, that little things can be important, and you can learn some amazing things at the most unusual times, places, and events, unexpectedly, and even more. This is a very deep film.
I must warn you though, this is a depressing film, and doesn't do anything to change that, and some may not feel better by the end. Luckily, I did.
I do think this film deserves its awards, and praise, but It's not the type of film I would visit often, maybe never again.
