Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2012)

This is truly one of the best animes I have ever watched,the intensity and emotion behind each of the characters and their actions is overwhelming at times and these emotions certainly won't fail to move any person who has had any relation to love, loss of someone important or simply just a person who has the felt the warmth of motherly love. Story is great and I like the fact that it doesn't beat around the bush but it constantly keeps focusing on the most important aspects of the movie. The development of the main character, Asuna, and her relationship to the other characters as we move forward in the movie.

The art was what was truly amazing about the anime and definitely its selling point. Nearly every scene involving the environment or the atmosphere around our characters was simply breathtaking and almost without comparison. In addition to these scenes being absolutely amazing there weren't just a few of them but this movie was filled with beautiful landscapes and sky sceneries. Especially the night skies are particularly beautiful. The sound was almost as amazing,fitted perfectly with the sceneries and the movements and expressions of the characters.

I was really entertained throughout the whole movie and it kept moving me.Great story, beautiful animation, perfectly fitting soundtracks and very enjoyable characters. Apart from a this, the movie had a lot of touching morals and enlightening views on life and death. Two very heavy subject which were handled with grace.

Makoto Shinkai, the former Falcom graphic designer, who took the anime industry by storm back in 2001 when he released his anime OVA titled "Voices of a Distant Star", which he created on his Power Mac G4 and using several software and voice acted by he and his wife Miko and music provided by his friend Tenmon.

The OVA inspired many for the fact it was independent, created on a small budget but looked significantly better than some major anime series by well-known animation studios.

Suffice to say, the person who grew up inspired by Miyazaki films was now given a chance to create more animated films and he would eventually achieve success with "The Place Promised in Our Early Days" (2004) and "5 Centimeters Per Second" (2007).

In 2011, Shinkai returned with the animated film "Children Who Chase Lost Voices ("Hoshi o Ou Kodomo") which he directed, wrote and produced.

And now the film was released in the U.S. on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Sentai Filmworks.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is presented in 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen and English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 with English subtitles

It's important to note that if you want the best picture quality for this animated film and also the best audio, there is a Blu-ray release for this animated film that will be released on the same day of the DVD.

As far as the DVD is concern, the film has the trademark of a Makoto Shinkai film. Beautiful, well-detailed clouds. Characters that almost have a Studio Ghibli look and scenery that is lush and well-detailed with animation design that is shaded, colorful but art backgrounds that are just stunning to look at.

Personally, this is one film that would look amazing via HD on Blu-ray but for DVD, picture quality is very good.

As far as the soundtrack is concerned, the audio is very good. Not only do you hear the ambiance of bugs, outdoor environments such as Asuna running on the grass and the roar of the gatekeepers and izoku, the audio is well-done through the surround channels. But no doubt, I can't help but think how much more impressive the soundtrack would be via lossless (Blu-ray). But those who purchase the DVD should be pleased by the overall soundtrack. As for voice acting, both Japanese and English soundtracks are well acted.

As for subtitles, the subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Children Who Chase Lost Voices" comes with the following special features:

Audio Commentary Featuring audio commentary by Makoto Shinkai, Asuna voice actress Hisako Kanemoto and the "Hoshi o Ou Kodomo" production crew.

Interviews with the Staff and Cast (55:40) Featuring interviews with the voice talents Hisako Kanemoto (voice of Asuna), Miyu Irino (voice of Shin/Shun), Kazuhiko Inoue (voice of Ryuji Morisaki) and filmmaker Makoto Shinkai.

A Brief Interview with Makoto Shinkai A text based interview with the director/writer/producer Makoto Shinkai.

The Making of Children Who Chase Lost Voices (45:18) Similar to previous Makoto Shinkai releases, a making of diary of the creation of the animated film, discussion with the cast and crew and overall making of the film.

The Works of Makoto Shinkai (7:26) A look at Shinkai's previous work.

Japanese Promotional Video (5:04) Japanese PV for "Hoshi o Ou Kodomo".

Japanese Teasers (2:26)

JUDGMENT CALL:

If experience is a factor of determining a person's ability to create amazing work, with only three major films under his belt, there are still some who claim that Makoto Shinkai has many years to go to prove he is the real deal.

After watching "Children Who Chase Lost Voices", I have to differ. As filmmaker Jean Vigo had done in France, creating only three films in his career but yet his life was cut short of tuberculosis, cineaste yet consider Vigo as one of the great French filmmakers of all time.

Makoto Shinkai may have gotten into the industry through a different process than other veterans but there is no doubt that his talent is a rarity. As Shinkai was influenced by the great Hayao Miyazaki, many who have watched Shinkai's work continually grow within the last decade, can't help but be amazed of his accomplishment with three films and the growth as a director, writer and producer.

Shinkai has been a rarity in which he works with the people that he wants to work with, he creates and writes anime the way he wants to do it and so far, many people all over the world have been overjoyed by his work because its not more about creating animated films for the sake of commercialism or the sake of getting something out there to make profit for a major studio. He creates a film because of his passion for it.

Prior to watching "Children Who Chase Lost Voices", I have always felt that Shinkai's "5 Centimeters Per Second" is his true masterpiece. A gorgeous animated film that was not only heartbreaking but also beautiful and touching. It was a film about life and love that many people have experienced. Love, heartbreak but people moving on.

With his latest film "Children Who Chase Lost Voices", you can apply the same idea of love, heartbreak and people moving on but in a context of alternate worlds and one wanting to bring back a deceased loved one.

The film looks absolutely gorgeous from its animation to its art backgrounds. Each scene can be appreciated for its beauty and for anime fans, Shinkai's films are almost like a painting that you just loved to look at over and over again and sometimes after looking at it, you have a different interpretation. This is not a film that is commercial or quickly made. It was well-planned and perfectly executed.

The characters of "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" are all characters who have lost a loved one and no doubt has altered or changed their lives. Asuna, losing her father and having to grow up in order to prove to her mother that she is old enough to take care of the house while her mother works. But then seeing that side of her that wants that peace and serenity and take out this radio which reminds her of her father. It's her time of remembrance but also her time of reflection.

The two other characters outside of the protagonist are quite different. With Mr. Morisaki determined in bringing his wife back, part of us can't call him an antagonist because we know that a man who found love, lost his one true love, will do all he can to bring his love back to life if he can. It's hard to dislike a man with those intentions, but at the same time, we know that his actions are against people who live in Agartha.

For Shin, he lost his brother, but he hasn't had the time to mourn. If anything, he is conflicted of his goals to save the one girl that his brother saved, despite her being a "top-dweller". But knows that by assisting her, he himself can be banished from Agartha.

While the film may seem complex with its concept of hidden worlds, Quetzalcoatls (gatekeepers) and people who are trying to protect their land from the top-dwellers, the storyline is easy to understand.

Like previous Shinkai films, people trying to seek resolve may be disappointed. There are no easy answers to the storyline of Shinkai's films. Like in reality, things happen and people must live life by adjusting to their new environments and the new people that they are with.

I'm sure the gate is still open for more stories that involve Asuna, Shin and Mr. Morisaki but similar to "5 Centimeters Per Second", I looked at the film as we experience life with the people we love and as we get older or years pass by, some lose those people they were once close with. Fall outs of relationships or by unfortunate circumstances including death. There is no going back to the past nor is there reviving the deceased, one must move forward.

As for the DVD release of "Children Who Chase Lost Voices", as mentioned, if you want the best in video and audio, the Blu-ray is the way to go. But as for the DVD itself, the DVD looks good and fortunately the special features were put on a second DVD disc.

Overall, Makoto Shinkai once again has created a masterpiece and another film added to his oeuvre of magnificent animated films created within the last decade. "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is a gorgeous, touching animated film worth watching, worth owning and is highly recommended!

Buy Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2012) Now

First, I want to comment on the dvd itself. This dvd was from Malaysia. Before I ordered, I was concerned about that quality and that it might be a bootleg. I'm still not 100% sure, but it played without problems on my region 1 player. The video, audio and english subtitles were all perfect. So all-in-all I'm satisfied with the product.

Now onto the movie itself. I purchased this simply due to the fact it is a Makoto Shinkai film. I'm a big fan of his work. I wasn't disappointed. The animation is beautiful and vibrant as expected. This story is more of a "fantasy" film than some of his others. Without going into detail, it's basically about a girl who embarks on a mysterious journey with many weird, scary, dangerous, touching, happy sad events happening along the way. It's an interesting journey. Something along the lines of a Miyazaki film ala Spirited Away. Will the girl survive the perilous journey and make it home safely? Better find out for yourself.

Read Best Reviews of Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2012) Here

I really love anime movies, and I was super excited when I saw a release of this movie. (No spoilers) I liked it, and glade i bought it, but i miss my Miyazaki films.....

The GOOD:

-The art/animation is great. It has a Miyazaki feel to it.

-The Story was pretty and a nice idea. I've read/heard allot about mythology stories, and it was nice to see anime take up this idea and make it their own.

The BAD:

-The plot. It was pretty choppy in some places, and you left with a few questions at each main point. (Kind of like in "Tales from Earth Sea") I felt like the story could have definitely benefited from having a smother plot.

-Not really a kids film. It's fairly graphic (not graphic like a horror movie), but you see a lot of blood at some points and some detached body parts.

Want Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2012) Discount?

I have never once witnessed this man's work before and for that I am dearly sorry. I did however buy the manga adaption to one of his films, but anyway this one in particula Children Who Chase Lost Voices In The Deep I believe is it's full name.

To say that I enjoyed it is an understatement...It was thrilling and beautiful and had everything I look for in anime. I was captured by his gorgeous coloring and different fighting style. I fell in love with our main character, a hard working girl who lost her father long ago and now works to help her mother out. She in herself is amazing and makes me want to get up and do the dishes for my mom.

When I first bought it I bought it with the thought that this would be a kids movie, like Miyazaki. There's blood, fighting, and a little bit of gore and I was surprised but honestly it didn't bother me.

So be warned parents but still this movie is a great addition to my collection and I would reccomend it for nearly everyone.

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