jakub_janata

I have given chance to anime before but it has never been an engrossing experience to me. It failed to evoke any deeper emotions and reflections. But Makoto Shinkai-in this story of love, despair, redemption, search, and identity-managed to evoke these. The story is simply ravishing, and so is the graphic work. The verdant nature of Japanese countryside, the never-sleeping, always busy city of Tokyo. Enrapturing. Although I have heard some strong criticism of the music by RADWIMS, which is by some considered too teen, and inimical to the emotional substance of the story, I found it a perfect match. The sounds complemented more than well the despairs of the characters, and enhanced the visual beauty. Importantly, this is not only the tale of two Japanese adolescents swapping their bodies. It is the story of Japanese culture and history, tale of the struggle of Japanese youth, and metaphor for the tragedy that hit Japan in 2011. Combining all of these is not an easy task and could easily result in the chaos, yet this movie succeeded in combining these heavy themes in such a gentle, harmonious, and tender way. It was deservedly awarded numerous prizes in Japan and internationally.