ANIME FILM REVIEWS

Here are movie reviews for our favourite anime films!

s p i r i t e d a w a y

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2002) is a work of art. It’s full of wonder and magic and leaves you in awe. Miyazaki’s talent lies in his spectacular characterisation and the way that Miyazaki animates this film is very unique. The grass fields, the raindrops, the lakes, the skies… it’s almost like you’re actually there. Every character, place, and scene is animated to the smallest detail. The animations are nearly life-like and the magical twist to the movie makes it a must to watch. This is probably one of the best coming of age films I’ve ever seen and the visuals and the MUSIC (by Joe Hisaishi) is absolutely captivating!!

w h e n m a r n i e w a s t h e r e

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Marnie Was There is an absolutely underrated gem of a film. This film exudes magic and wonder and captivated me in the most surprising way. The animation is masterful and the story is wonderfully composed. This film is simple and lucid even when dealing with quite heavy handed topics such as grief and misery. Somehow this film evokes bliss and melancholy at the same time - in a balanced way.

w h i s p e r o f t h e h e a r t

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you want a film that’ll give you a heart attack (AMASAWA SEIJI!!) this is the perfect movie for you. It's a coming of age film with a hint of romance and you’ll quickly find yourself falling in love with the characters along with the beautiful scenery of everyday life in japan that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The storyline is simple yet voices a powerful message of the importance of pursuing our passions and dreams.

h o t a r u b i n o m o r i e

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hotarubi no Morie is a beautiful film which illustrates the relationship between a girl, Hotaru Takegawa, and a masked forest spirit named Gin. Based on Yuki Midorikawa's manga of the same name, Hotarubi no Mori e is a tale of friendship and compromise of two people who should never have crossed paths, as their lives become hopelessly intertwined. The film takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions (minus one star because it made me cry a waterfall of tears)

g r a v e o f t h e f i r e f l i e s

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Grave of the Fireflies is such a tragic yet spectacular film to watch. This film is set in the closing phase of World War Two and tells the story of two siblings and their desperate struggle to survive during the final months of the war. This masterpiece will, without a doubt, make you cry for days – from the beautiful animation to the heartfelt film score, Home Sweet Home. I cannot express how much I love this film. It is so heartbreaking, but so beautiful and extraordinary at the same time! I 110% recommend you watch this film, however, you may need more than ten boxes of tissues while you watch it.

y o u r n a m e

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Your Name is without a doubt the best film I watched in 2016. Usually when someone mentions a body-swapping romance film, I tend to roll my eyes but this film is an absolute wonder. Fate, time, destiny, longing… These are the themes this film masterfully explores. It shouldn’t be a surprise but the animation is incredible, I can’t comprehensively express how beautiful this film is – the colours, the aesthetic – something to be marvelled at. This film does everything so perfectly, I have nothing to criticise and the plot twist was executed so well!! I cannot recommend this film enough. This review doesn’t do it justice… PLEASE WATCH IT!

a l e t t e r t o m o m o

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Letter To Momo is such a realistic yet light heartening film. It is about a girl recovering from her father’s death, in which she discovers a message from her father that causes strange events to occur (hint: those “strange events” were spirit-like goblins). This film was so joyful and entertaining to watch, especially as it reveals her friendly relationship with the goblins, however, it is also sad as she uncovers how much her father really loves her. This film is really wonderfully animated, however, I did find the goblins kind of creepy...

k i k i ‘ s d e l i v e r y s e r v i c e

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kiki’s Delivery Service is a timeless tale of a young witch who follows her dream and embarks on the experience of a lifetime to a faraway city by the ocean. It wonderfully captures the day-to-day life of an aspiring 13-year-old girl moving into the life of a bustling town. The film speaks of the feeling of uneasiness and loneliness that comes as a part of growing up. Yet, it empowers the viewer on a journey of self independence and this is perhaps the beauty of this film, along with the majestic views of the seaside town.

h o w l ‘ s m o v i n g c a s t l e

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Howl’s Moving Castle is one of the films with the BEST soundtrack I have ever heard. Not only can I listen to the soundtrack all day long, the overall animation of the film is absolutely beautiful and magical. All the characters are beautifully crafted and unique in their own way, and let’s not forget about Howl who lives in a wandering magical castle. The film is a mix of romance and fantasy, set in a world of fascinating magic. Howl’s Moving Castle is really a masterpiece and should definitely be on your radar during the Christmas season - it radiates comfort and joy!

- Article By: hồng ân, elle and yuuki.