This film won my heart solely by its name. Based on Yuki Midorikawa's homotitled shōjo manga and directed by the talented Takahiro Omori, it presents love in its purest form. Before even watching it, my expectations were extremely high. And I was indeed right, since it manages to narrate a complete and touching story, in just forty-five minutes -which is quite impressive. Allow me to be more specific though!
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The story revolves around Hotaru, a six year old girl who ends up lost and terrified in a mystical forest. That's when Gin, a beautiful human-like entity, makes his appearance. Soon their friendship begins to bloom and they meet every summer, regardless of the fact that if they touch each other, the spirit will vanish.
Even though the movie is quite short, it manages to maintain a slow, relaxed and effortless flow. The plot unfolds perfectly, while Hotaru's explanatory monologues help the audience into becoming part of the story. Love, which is presented in its purest and platonic form, is expressed with simplicity. There is not a single glimpse of rush, while the relationship of the two main characters is build on mutual trust.
“To the Forest of the Fireflies Light”'s scenario might not sound as something special, but the truth is that it captivates its audience. Full of intense emotions and astonishing backgrounds, it accomplishes to combine complexity with simplicity. I never believed that the overused theme of ‘forbidden/ impossible love', would be able to move me so much. Yet, due to its elegance, its poetic nature, its sincerity and its freshness, this film left me no choice. It really stands out from its kind!
Takahiro Omori's movie demonstrates how love without any physical contact can be as strong as one where the touch is involved. It focuses on the awkwardness of the first confessions, on how life happens to not facilitate our desires and to the burdens of long distance relationships. In addition, it points out how important it is for one to set his priorities right and how, sometimes, the inevitable happens. What I truly cherish about this bittersweet film is that it remains realistic, even though it includes plenty of fantasy elements!
“To the Forest of the Fireflies Light” teaches us that, sometimes, we have to accept life as it is.
Moving on to the artwork part though, I cannot help but mention Brain Base Studio's great job. Soft outlines, ethereal aesthetics and magnificent colors contribute into bringing Yuki Midorikawa's manga in life, in the most beautiful way. However, what is really special about this film is the soundtrack. Composed by the talented Makoto Yoshimori, it consists mostly of piano and violin. However, in the comical scenes, you will hear western, joyful and cartoonish melodies -pretty unusual for an anime. The exceptional music though, is accompanied by some very talented seiyuus. The dialogs are calm, without exaggerations, and every emotion is portrayed perfectly. After all, voice actors such as Ayane Sakura or Koki Uchiyama, can never disappoint their audience.
In conclusion, “To the Forest of the Fireflies Light”, finds its way into the viewer's heart. Expressed through a nostalgic narration, it feels like a dreamy, blurred memory. It reminds us that we should never let our fears captivate us and that life should go on -no matter what. I highly recommend you to watch this poetic film, since it will captivate you with its innocence and its simplicity!
