Movie No. 36 (2013): CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES

Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)
Director: Makoto Shinkai
In Japanese, with English subtitles

In this film, I find another reason to prefer Japanese animation to Disney's or Pixar's - this film. This is not from Studio Ghibli, but it's as good as any film made by the company that I really like.

In the film, Asuna, a young girl, spends her time listening to some mysterious sound that the crystal radio receives and transmits. That radio is the only memento she has from her father (now dead). One day, on her way home, she's attacked by a strange-looking creature and is saved by a mysterious young boy who seems to have suddenly appeared from nowhere. The boy confides to Asuna that he's from a place called Agartha, the land of the dead, and that he only comes to the surface to find something. The next morning, Asuna learns  that a boy is found dead in the river. Asuna, in disbelief, consigns herself on a journey to Agartha to say her final 'goodbye.' And here's where the adventure begins.

The film is not perfect. There are some flaws in the script but the film but, overall, is a visual feast. The animation itself does the trick.

Date seen: February 3, 2013

Rating: 3.5/4.0