@maniacb So this isn't "Freaky Friday" glossy edition :)?
@sp1ti Depends whether you consider that a good thing or not :P
Nah but seriously, I was a bit dubious about the synopsis as "body swap" is one of those topics that have been covered to death in the past (and normally not very well), and when you think of that combined with "anime", it's hard not to think "perverted", but I think it was refreshingly well done and heartfelt. I'd say it's closer to 5cm than Garden of Words, which may put you off a bit as I know you weren't as keen on that one, but I do think it surpasses both in storytelling and structure. This felt a lot more like a "full" movie with fully realized characters and locations.
@maniacb Were you able to watch this in theaters? I can't believe that I have to wait until April 7 for it to come out in the US... murica?!?!?! D:
@deanzel Yeah we got a fairly decent number of screenings in the UK!
It looks like it's going to be at least October before we can buy the BD though. Madness!
@maniacb Well, I just watched the newer rip that came out last week (much better than the DVD screener) and really enjoyed the movie. Great visuals, music and voice work. The story and feels were solid. It's not the greatest anime movie ever, but it is definitely Shinkai's best so far. I was about to get triggered at the end if it had a 5cm/s type ending...
I'll definitely watch it in theaters too when it comes out over here. Thanks, Funimation...
@deanzel Glad you enjoyed it. Objectively I may lower it to a 9 on a rewatch. I think seeing it in the cinema with other people played a part in me enjoying it as much as I did too. I'll probably find a few things that weren't quite as good as I remember next time around, but I think I'll still rate it very highly and I definitely think it's Shinkai's best too.
I'm glad you found a decent rip to watch as well. I saw the DVD screener and I think it would be tragic if anyone only saw it in that poor quality. The movie just looks amazing and deserves to be seen properly.
Shout by ManiacBVIP OG 12BlockedParent2016-11-24T23:57:49Z
Possibly Shinkai's best work so far, and as a massive fan of both 5cm and Garden of Words I do not say that lightly. The animation is breathtaking as always but some scenes go beyond mere visual splendor and are just mesmerizing. The characters are so fun to be around and you'll find yourself rooting for them and hoping it all works out. I was slightly concerned when I saw the "boob fondling" scene in the trailer but even that becomes a genuinely charming gag throughout the movie, believe it or not!
As to be expected of Shinkai, the film also takes you on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows and keeps you guessing how it will end until pretty much the last minute.
I cannot recommend this enough.