24.4.16

Anime Movie Review: The Anthem of the Heart

Naruse has moe down pat.
This blogpost has me talking about a film that released late last year, a fun watch that left the warm fuzzies in my heart at the end.

Kokosake (The Anthem of the Heart -- 心が叫びたがってるんだ。) is a coming of age story following four high schoolers; Sakagami Takumi (VA: Uchiyama Kouki), Naruse Jun (VA: Minase Inori), Tasaki Daiki (VA: Hosoya Yoshimasa), and Nitou Natsuki (VA: Amamiya Sora). The story begins with Naruse Jun, and how she is made to believe that because of her cheerful talkativeness, she breaks apart her family and is literally the worst thing ever. This changes the poor girl, making her a mute for all intents and purposes.

We then move to the present day, where a music teacher (voiced by the amazing Fujiwara Keiji) at the local high school assigns the four to be the executive producers for their class' annual community outreach show. I won't get into the minutiae of the story -- essentially the film explores how they each come out of their collective shells as well as open up to one another and the world around them.

Crazy Egg Fairy musketeer ruins all QT grilles in anime.
Eggs are a major leitmotiv in the film. Near the beginning of the film, Sakagami hears the story of a small shrine for a local kami who loved talking. The kami fancied eggs "filled" with the thoughts and wishes of worshippers. Naruse is cursed by a magical Egg Fairy in a cavalier hat, sealing her voice away (see above).

Naruse spoke to her friends via text message for a good portion of the film. I found this way of communication rather neato.
A-1 Pictures is always known for quality in their projects, and they didn't disappoint with this film. At times one can see where the budget ran thin, but those times are few and far between. The best part of the film was the climax scene, where the class is putting on a musical. Naruse is nowhere to be found, and Sakagami has to find her. Things happen, and she triumphantly enters, saving the production.

Probably one of the best scenes in the film.
Outside of the fascination with eggs, the film is like a lighter Koe no Katachi (which I hear has a film under production, either with A-1 Pictures or Kyoto Animation heading the project) with less psychological abuse and more slice of life. I give the film a good 7.5/10 -- good, but no masterpiece.

In Closing

It's a little late coming, but I've started putting up content at Pecuniary Ruminations. I'm due to write a short State of My Securities post tomorrow, while I watch my money light on fire. Check it out! Also expect another anime film review in the coming days -- it was by request that I did this one, and I have another one to do as well.