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Got 25 minutes to spare? In the mood for a cute, pick-me-up anime?
Look no further as this multi-faceted production of adorable media will warm the depths of your heart.
Look no further as this multi-faceted production of adorable media will warm the depths of your heart.
Synopsis:
Masaya is very tall first-year, but despite his appearance is very withdrawn and a cry baby. His best friend Akiyo is a very small second-year. Every morning they walk to school together, Akiyo helping lead the frightened Masaya.
Plot:
Noting the runtime as twenty-five minutes, I wasn't expecting much of this movie at all, and found myself pleasantly surprised. The relationship between Akiyo and Masaya is established from the very start as are both children's personalities. During a very sweet ceremony for the first-years, second-year students give the first-years a present to congratulate them on doing so well in school and to encourage them to keep doing their best- Masaya prays Akiyo will be the one to approach him, and there's no doubt that she does. She comically gives him a hand-made garland which he proudly wears.
The two children along with Akiyo's friend Mariko see some bell-flowers in the faculty office. An upper-classman picked them from a nearby field but there are none left. Masaya remembers his grandfather taking him by bus to a field near a lone cedar tree. The girls agree they're too young to go there now, but will go when they are 3rd years. Akiyo is disheartened as she loves flowers, but the upper-classman gives them each a flower to look after.
The two children along with Akiyo's friend Mariko see some bell-flowers in the faculty office. An upper-classman picked them from a nearby field but there are none left. Masaya remembers his grandfather taking him by bus to a field near a lone cedar tree. The girls agree they're too young to go there now, but will go when they are 3rd years. Akiyo is disheartened as she loves flowers, but the upper-classman gives them each a flower to look after.
When walking home the three children are run into by bullies on bikes, Akiyo wants to confront them but is reminded by Mariko that fighting is wrong and she turns her attentions to an upset Masaya. During the incident the flowers have been broken and trampled. Akiyo is distraught.
Masaya, that night, looks at his garland and reflects back on how he was told to do his best and remembers how upset Akiyo was about the flowers. He decides he is going to walk to the field his grandfather took him to. He leaves in the morning through his window. As he goes on his way, pieces of the garland fall off. He makes his way by foot, even through a scary forest. When he reaches his destination Akiyo appears, soon followed by Mariko and Masaya's mother.
They pick enough flowers for everyone and Masaya realises the forest by the house isn't too scary after all.
Masaya, that night, looks at his garland and reflects back on how he was told to do his best and remembers how upset Akiyo was about the flowers. He decides he is going to walk to the field his grandfather took him to. He leaves in the morning through his window. As he goes on his way, pieces of the garland fall off. He makes his way by foot, even through a scary forest. When he reaches his destination Akiyo appears, soon followed by Mariko and Masaya's mother.
They pick enough flowers for everyone and Masaya realises the forest by the house isn't too scary after all.
Characters:
Masaya:
At the start Masaya is a very withdrawn, shy child who is very quick to cry and doesn't interact with anyone aside from Akiyo. After seeing Akiyo extremely upset he is able to put his own worries and fears behind him and set off on a huge journey for a child his age, determined to do her proud. He is a very level-headed child as he remembered what his mother said about interacting with strangers, even though not accepting help made his journey more difficult.
When his mother comes to find him after his journey, he walk to her and buries his face against her holding tight. I was expecting to see him cry, but was pleasantly surprised to see his eyes light up as for the first time in this movie, he talked to his mother- full of life, full of pride!
Masaya's design is very typical of the shy guy. Short to mid-length hair and very non-descript clothes.
Akiyo:
Akiyo is best described as a kind and loyal girl, though she may have somewhat of a Napoleon complex as she isn't one to back down for a fight if it's warranted. Akiyo selflessly walks Masaya to school every day and never calls him out on it or tries to belittle his fears or his timid nature. She is self-concious about her height and also really loves flowers, perhaps because they grow so fast as she would like to.
Her design is simple but not void of tropes. Twin-tails are usually a sign of a more childish, outgoing or playful character and while she is wearing a dress, the dungaree style portrays that she is at times a tom-boy.
Animeation/art:
The artwork is very story book-esque, lovely details on top of beautiful water-coloured backgrounds. Animation is delightfully fluid, the characters are drawn in a highly expressive manner which really brings their personality forward in such a short frame of time.
Colouring of the characters is soft and there is a huge range of facial expression particularly from the style of drawing of the mouths and eyes. This anime is a treat to screenshot as every still looks like a standalone masterpiece.
Translation Quality:
The version I watched was soft-subbed by a group called ASS *rolls eyes*
I found the translations to be accurate and the subs to be well-timed and easy to read.
I found the translations to be accurate and the subs to be well-timed and easy to read.
BGM, Songs and SFX:
One thing that struck me nearly immediately was the quality and attention of the sound effects; you could hear the crumbs on the toast as Masaya spread the jam. It may seem like something small but this element can really immerse you in the everyday experiences the movie portrays.
The background music is whimsical, with a lot of string music and muted light percussion, giving a playful but light-natured feeling. The music itself is utilised to help viewers empathise and connect with the emotions the protagonists are feeling; wind instruments are utilised to imply a curious nature, slow paced music to give a laid-back feeling, apocalyptic crescendos to communicate fear.
The background music is whimsical, with a lot of string music and muted light percussion, giving a playful but light-natured feeling. The music itself is utilised to help viewers empathise and connect with the emotions the protagonists are feeling; wind instruments are utilised to imply a curious nature, slow paced music to give a laid-back feeling, apocalyptic crescendos to communicate fear.
Voice Acting:
It's note-worthy that Masaya is voiced by a female, Mutsumi Tamura. While this is a fairly normal practice for portraying younger males in anime, it's interesting that men of a more sensitive nature also tend to be voiced by women.
The voice acting is very sincere and believable.
Final Thought:
I was not expecting to get so much out of a short movie like this. A lot of effort was put into every facet and it shows. While the story is very simple, almost juvenile, it is something that people can relate to on lots of different levels and can remind you that no matter what your weaknesses you always have the strength to become better.
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