In Breif: Makoto Shinkai brings a story about girl, Asuna (Hisako Kanemoto), that listens to the airwaves for a mysterious tune in her secret hideaway in the mountains of her local town, one day, while crossing the bridge to the mountain, she's attacked by a bear like creature, and saved by a mysterious boy Shun(Miyu Irno), the two share a few outings together, before he dies mysteriously. Strugling to deal with her grief, she speaks to her Substitute teacher Morisaki, to learn more of the underground land of Agratha.
Makoto Shinkai normally directs poetry. That's the best way to put it, as far as i'm concerned it's no wonder he's often called the next Hayoa Miyazaki. His stories are incredibly emotional, and all seem to have some element of separation to them.
Voices of a Distant Star (2003), that he made almost completely by himself, was the story of a girl, conscripted to war, and the ever increasing wait for messages to reach her loved one.
The Place Promised in our Early Days (2004), about a divided Japan, and Three friends promise to visit a tower that seemingly reaches to the heavens, the lives that take them apart, and the event that reunites them.
5 Centimeters per Second (2007) consists of 3 stories, centering around Takaki Toono, and his first love, The girl in high school who loves him, and his adult life. All while pining for that first love who have been separated by circumstance.
Each of these films are favorites of mine, I've watched them numerous times and honestly, thinking about them now makes me want to do a mini Marathon right now. That's why i'm a little disappointed by his Latest effort. Its no less emotional, but some how, the more fantasy setting of Agratha feel's like he's making someone else's movie. Like his answering to the all to be Miyazaki. It's still a fantastic film, and I'm a fan of Miyazaki, it's just the fantasy setting and design in the film don't look like Shinkai's style. But that's the only way i can fault the film.
It's beautiful to watch, the scenery, the detail in the animation, the dialogue. The characters are relatable as ever and they have a real melancholy to them. People that aren't able to let go of the people they care about. There are a few points in the film that feel predictable, especially towards the climax, but there's a moment towards the late-middle of the film that was a bit of a emotional sucker punch.
Honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing this film again, and it's one of those situations where i'm sure i'll enjoy the dub as well, and i'm hoping that gets a cinema release in the future.
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