Beautiful movie, if it gets a local release, don't miss it.

Dec 25, 2022 6:21 AM

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Nov 2009

What a beautiful movie. Based on a popular and Japanese bestseller novel "Lonely Castle in the Mirror", anyone who's read the novel will probably know this movie is totally worth the watch.

Spoiler free review. I hate even giving any hints as to the plot, so I'll be very shallow:

A-1 Pictures did a decent job animating this story, it was not their best animation work however. Lots of high quality still frames, but the whole movie was limited in large character movement (except for near the end). This isn't A-1 Sword Art Online, so don't expect as much. CG was passable, and the castle was clearly a render, but the story and everything else was so good.
Coloring and framing was really well done.
I felt they paced it as best they could in terms of storyboarding. The english translated book sits at 354 pages, but the movie is almost 2 hours long. I felt they covered as much as they could, but some backstories might not have been fully explained or gone into full details as the novel would have.
Absolutely loved the character development and growth in this movie. Grounded and realistic.
Music was great and the voice acting was really well done.
Ending song is メリーゴーランド by Yuuri. Perfect fit for the credits. DON'T SKIP THE CREDITS.

If you're watching in Japan, DO NOT open the gift they give you. Wait until after the movie.

I watched it on Christmas 2022 in Nihonbashi TOHO Cinemas. Great experience.

I don't know how popular this will be outside of Japan due to extremely limited branding and no attachment to any significant anime IP, but this is a movie you shouldn't miss. One look at the novel reviews, should give you a good idea.

blenderbenDec 25, 2022 6:26 AM

Dec 27, 2022 3:07 AM

Incinderous

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Oct 2019

Thank you for the review, will definitely check this out. Hopefully my country gets a local release.

May 17, 2023 9:44 PM

Wall-flower23

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Sep 2016

It will be in my local theater in June. Still debating if I want to see it

Jun 20, 2023 10:20 AM

sxnchit

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Jan 2021

Is this actually worth watching in theatres? It’s going to be released in some theatres nearby, so I was wondering.

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Poll: » Kagami no Kojou Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Usopp8000 - Jan 1, 2023	55	by JackCompletes »» Jan 17, 12:43 AM
» There's actually an epilogue to this film Jax - Apr 8, 2024	11	by Zarutaku »» Dec 18, 2024 4:46 AM
» Over a year, movie is still loved by many people. kumajoi - Feb 9, 2024	5	by BassDrivenM »» Mar 24, 2024 2:46 PM
» Is this English Dubbed? OtakuSociety8 - Feb 10, 2024	3	by Akmalbarg47c »» Feb 12, 2024 9:07 AM
» Sounds interesting Geeljire - Sep 7, 2022	7	by waalex11 »» Apr 17, 2023 4:45 PM

Beautiful movie, if it gets a local release, don't miss it.

More topics from this board

Poll: » Kagami no Kojou Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 )

» There's actually an epilogue to this film

» Over a year, movie is still loved by many people.

» Is this English Dubbed?

» Sounds interesting

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