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| I would add a screenshot from the actual movie of A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi), but Netflix, like the Blu-ray Disc Association, hates that sort of thing. So we'll just settle for this one from the ED MV special from…elsewhere… |
It's the fourteenth anniversary of HD, so I thought, why not switch things up a bit and do a return of Ani-Journal in commemoration, instead!! Being that it's been six years since the last one, and the first substantive post in four, this'll likely be the first installment of a few. So, without further(more) waste, let's go!!
—While I have yet to see your name. (Kimi no Na wa.), it was not very hard to see why In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni) won as many accolades as it did, eventually usurping the megahit in award season (not that coming out later and being a folksy movie didn't hurt…). It did a great job conveying the everyday life of rural Japan and the concerning undercurrents around WWII, and the inevitable perils that came. It did this by focusing almost solely on Japanese life, and not revisionism or nationalism (perhaps one latter scene has a whiff, but it is understandable in context). It also (thankfully) did not fall into the trap of emotional manipulation, even though it would be quite easy to with the material (though some may disagree, which is understandable). The style and mastery of the storytelling meant events felt more natural, making them feel more effectual in the end. Common, everyday life in wartime isn't usually covered in films, unfortunately, but ITCotW really did it and its story justice.
—What wasn't doing it justice: the English dub, which was bizarrely wooden and poorly-acted, especially with its cast of quality, able VAs. I would chalk it up to the direction and the script (though I do wonder about possible oversight from the Japanese side) than I would to the actors, though. Regardless, it was all-around terrible and an insult to the work put into such a great film—although a small handful, particularly Todd Haberkorn (as Shuusaku Houjou), made the most of it. I really hope the upcoming extended version gets a re-dub, but I doubt it.
—Non's performance as Suzu in the sub was, admittedly, jarring in the beginning, but her acting style went a ways towards establishing the film and was very well done, overall.
—Still strange seeing Black Lagoon-style explosion effects in a "normal" Katabuchi work…
—The 2nd set of end credits for the film (assuming for the crowdfunders?)? Man…
—In This Corner of the World felt similar to the classic Best Picture winner, Mrs. Miniver, which, too, focused on the life of a countryside family when war comes home. Only, the former lacked an annoying, borderline-Mary-Sue lead, cheaper plays at emotion, and a feeling of vapidity…
—…Mrs. Miniver sucked…
—I never thought Makoto Shinkai would ever reach the heights he has in terms of name recognition, nor did I ever think your name., or any picture of his, would become the world-spanning, record hit it became, to say nothing in Japan, alone, but he was always a talent worthy of it all. Likewise, I am equally surprised and happy to see Sunao Katabuchi receive his own set of notoriety and accolades. Who would've thought that they, Hideaki Anno & Shinji Higuchi (Shin Godzilla), Akiyuki Simbo (Madoka Magica, March comes in like a lion), and ufotable (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) would ever go beyond fandom and reach mainstream fame?
—A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) was a bittersweet film to watch in a number of ways. Though I had already slotted it in the time to watch it when I did, it was made more poignant by the arson attack at Kyoto Animation, which had occurred just days before and claimed 36 lives and injured 33—a number of whom had worked on it [RIP]. The film was also more effectual on a personal level, having been a special ed. student early in my childhood, young special needs relatives, and having experienced bullying and other unsavory matters myself (not in connection with that part of my childhood, but things past that). I could relate all too well with much of the film, but it was handled so gracefully and realistically, that, however painful, it made even the tougher parts easier to sit through/re-experience, somehow. It was one of those rare works that was near-flawless in terms of execution across the board. "Unforgettable" is used in oft a review, but, perhaps from all of the circumstances, even after viewing it twice, it is for me.
—Unlike ITCotW, the English dub rose to the occasion with an exemplary and memorable effort. Both the subbed and dubbed versions excelled, capped by Saori Hayami's credible performance as the deaf Shouko Nishimiya and actual deaf actress Lexi Cowden turning in her own great showing in the dub—both noteworthy achievements in their own rights. Special plaudits to Robbie Daymond (as Shoya Ishida), who was outstanding, himself.
—What really, after two-ish decades of watching anime, have I learned? The best works (or perhaps just the ones that I've really, really liked) even separating the greats from other greats, are 1) the ones that stick with you days and even weeks after, 2) make me want to "marathon" the whole series the next few days (on a first-time viewing), 3) I think warmly about it every time I see something about it or it crosses my mind. That may seem pretty simple to say,
—Of the recent watches (in approx. watch order, at least since 2016): Ceres, Celestial Legend; In This Corner of the World; A Silent Voice; Golden Time; We Never Learn: BOKUBEN (Boku-tachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai)
—(Slightly-lesser extent: Maria Watches Over Us 4th Season (whole series was great, but just something about that last season…), Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Cop Craft)
We'll stop right there for now… Happy Anniversary, HardDoor!!!!
--HD
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