Children Who Chase Lost Voices

Children Who Chase Lost Voices AKA Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo
Media Factory
7 May 2011
Anime, Fantasy, Action
DVD
B+

Makoto Shinkai wrote and directed this stunning story of a 12-year-old girl in 1970s rural Japan who sets out on a journey to an underground world without fully understanding why.  To say that the story doesn't quite live up to the visuals is no insult, since my eyes were dazzled throughout.  The mountain scenery of the "real world" is actually more amazing to me, but I love the world of Agartha (inspired by multiple cultures) in all its wonder and terror, too.  The voice acting is solid (I listened to the American dub but heard bits and pieces of the Japanese original in the extras), the music, especially the poignant "Hello, Goodbye, and Hello" closing song, ably supports the onscreen action and emotions.  There is humor, the world's most gray-moraled substitute teacher, a sidekick kitten who's not what he seems, puppy love, interesting fight scenes, grief and healing, and so much more.  Not quite an A-, but highly recommended, even if you think you don't like anime.  And if you do like anime, you can't miss it!