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One cold morning, Ayukawa Madoka and Kasuga Kyosuke ride to the local university to find out the results of their
university entrance exam. Passing through the bustling university campus to get to the announcement board, Kyosuke
overhears two students talking about the debut of a new play. Suddenly, memories of that previous summer come flooding
back. Memories of exhaustive studying, of an energetic Hikaru, of a tearful Madoka, and of that one summer’s day, when
he made the hardest decision of his life.
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One could tell that Ano Hi ni Kaeritai was going to be very different from the original Kimagure Orange
Road series from the nature of the very first scene. Where KOR was humorous and silly, Ano Hi ni Kaeritai
is mature, serious, and sometimes even downright depressing. However, this change in mood is by no means detrimental, as
this movie sprints past the slapstick that dominated the series, and gets right into the heart of Kimagure Orange
Road: the romance.
Given this complete change in atmosphere, one could only wonder if the characters, who had been forged in the atmosphere
of the TV series, could adapt to the transition. Well, not only did they adapt, but they absolutely thrived. In fact, the
complete change in personalities between the series and movie acted as an emotional sledgehammer for those who had become
attached to the characters during the series. Watching the characters (Hikaru in particular) in their moments of weakness
was particularly emotional, akin to watching a loved one struggle to overcome a hurdle in their life. Complementing this
characterization perfectly is a plot that appears very simple on the outside, but actually has all the intricacies involved
in resolving a love triangle between best friends. It is this mutualism between plot and characterization that allows
Ano Hi ni Kaeritaito strike so deeply into the hearts of its viewers. Ano Hi ni Kaeritai doesn’t
shoot for a happy or sad mood/result; it shoots for a realistic one, and succeeds with flying colours.
However, it must be noted that this level of emotional response cannot be elicited with plot and characterization alone.
Aurally, this movie has several vocal pieces that fit exceptionally, but also recognizes the value of silence in drama,
and utilizes it to its full extent. Visually, the animation is crisp, and the art is exquisite, with excellent use of
faded colours. Together, the audio/visual aspect of Ano Hi ni Kaeritai takes that emotional sledgehammer and turns
it into a wrecking ball. Much credit to Director Mochizuki Tomomi for the fantastic job he did in fitting the various
pieces of Ano Hi ni Kaeritai together with seamless perfection.
Kimagure Orange Road: Ano Hi ni Kaeritai is the denouement to the climax that was established at the end of
Kimagure Orange Road, and as such should not be viewed independently whatsoever. On that note, anyone who has seen
Kimagure Orange Road absolutely must watch this masterful conclusion to the KOR saga. Join Kyosuke,
Madoka, and Hikaru once again, as they embark on the bittersweet home stretch on the road of adolescence.
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