Anime Writers Reflect on 2019's Notable Anime Film Reviews

From the 100 titles released in 2019, here are the must-see films for the New Year's holiday. We have lined up a total of 5 titles, from the latest critically acclaimed films to the hottest titles that have been released on Blu-ray and DVD. These include "In (several more) corners of the world" depicting Kure during the war, Masaaki Yuasa's new film "Kimi to, Nami no Noritareta", "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji LOVE Kingdom the Movie" in which idols from "UtaPuri" compete on stage, Marvel Comics' 3DCG anime "Spider-Man: Spider-Verse", and the best of the 80s, "Spider-Man: The Last Airbender". Spider-Verse," and "Our 7-Day War," based on a best-selling novel from the 1980s.

In (several more) corners of this world,in theaters Friday, December 20, 2019.

The screening time of "In (several more) corners of this world," released in 2016, has been increased to 168 minutes with the addition of approximately 40 minutes and over 250 cut episodes. The film has gained an unprecedented length for an animated film, which strengthens the impression that the scenery and people painted by the main character, Suzu, are gradually disappearing.
The new footage depicts Lynn Shiraki, who works in a brothel, and other people on the periphery that Suzu came into contact with. Among them, the scene where her neighbor Chita walks slowly with a parasol is a terrifying scene that one cannot forget once seen. In the previous film, everyday movements were carefully depicted, but this is a completely different kind of movement. I shuddered at the thought that such meaning could be put into the mere act of walking.

Kimi to, Nani no Nori ni Norareru Blu-ray & DVD December 18, 2019 (Wednesday) release

A love story between Hinako, a college student who loves to surf, and Minato, a firefighter in a seaside town. The most shocking scene is the duet of the theme song "Brand New Story" by Rina Kawaei and Ryota Katayose, who play the lead roles. The scene is a hellish one, but the euphoria is so great that it cannot be helped.
From the title of the film, "NORITARA," it is clear that the theme of the film is the movement of the body up and down. In this light, Hinako appears to be a character forbidden to move from top to bottom: she misses the down elevator, drops things frequently, and has trouble pouring her melt-in-your-mouth omelette over chicken rice. This film depicts how she is not even allowed to spill the tears that come to her eyes after the death of her beloved lover, and how she breaks her curse.

Uta no Prince-sama the Movie: Maji LOVE Kingdom Blu-ray & DVD December 25, 2019 (Wednesday)

This film was the talk of the town for its live performance style. During the live performance, the camera switches from one performance to the next, making the experience more like watching a live viewing than a live performance itself. The opening image of idols riding a train to the venue of the live performance fills the viewer with a mysterious feeling that the live performance is really taking place somewhere else.
However, it is indeed uncomfortable for a man to watch the show alone in a theater where there are only female fans as far as the eye can see. Even after the main program started, I was still feeling uneasy, wondering if I was an uninvited guest, but my fears were dispelled during the MC corner. Reiji Kotobuki (CV: Shotaro Morikubo), the leader of the unit QUARTET NIGHT, said, "Music connects me and you. After the line "My girl is also ......", he throws a message to the male audience, "My boy is also". Your existence is assured by Shotaro Morikubo's voice. What more reassuring backing could there be in the world? The word "My Girl" must be shared by many people, while "My Boy" is exclusive. Enjoy it alone with your man.

Spider-Man: Spider-Verse Blu-ray & DVD Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Spider-Man and the Spider-Verse are back together in this sci-fi action film. It may seem redundant to say that each of the seven Spider-Men has a self-introduction part, but that's what makes the film so interesting, and the storytelling is so witty that you'll want to listen to it all the time. The story begins with the "one and only" Spider-Man, Peter Parker, telling his own story, and takes an unexpected turn with the appearance of unique Spider-Men such as the dull Peter B. Parker, who is approaching middle age, and Penny Parker, who looks like a Japanese cartoon character. The story takes an unexpected turn with the appearance of unique Spider-Men such as Peter B. Parker, who is now middle-aged and dull, and Penny Parker, who looks like a Japanese cartoon character.
The film spends a lot of time talking about Spider-Man and the other Spider-Men, who have a sixth sense called Spider-Sense, so they can understand each other without having to explain anything. I thought I was the only one." He doesn't bother to ask for confirmation, which is cool.

Our 7-Day War opens in theaters on Friday, December 13, 2019.

Mamoru Suzuhara, the protagonist, a high school sophomore, colludes with his childhood friend Aya Chiyono, who is forced to move for her father's reasons, and decides to run away from home in a coal factory with his classmates. However, he ends up in conflict with the immigration authorities when he rescues a Thai child, Mallet, who was being held captive for illegal immigration. ......
The siege battle with the immigration officials that unfolds in the abandoned factory is a mixture of fun and seriousness. The film makes you laugh as they fight back with the help of a trolley that is no longer in use, but it also neatly depicts the fear that there is no turning back, and the beauty of the heavy machinery that cruelly destroys the walls of the factory is a sight to behold. The film is also a coming-of-age drama that skillfully incorporates contemporary social issues.

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)

(c) 2018 Fumiyo Konno, Futabasha / "In a Corner of the World" Production Committee
(c) 2019 "Kimi to, Nami no Norinotareru" Production Committee
(C) UTA☆PRI-MOVIE PROJECT
(C) 2018 Sony Pictures Digital Productions Inc.
(C) 2019 Osamu Soda, KADOKAWA/Bokura no 7 Nichijo Senso Production Committee