Nick Stroom

A simple coming-of-age story that were it from any other studio than Ghibli would be instantly forgettable. Delightful animation that is severely hampered by unlikable characters and an incongruous love story. A prickly but attractive big city girl comes to a small town school capturing the affections of a straight laced geek and his friend the bland unassuming main character. She lies regularly, manipulating those around her to get what she wants and complains often. Only the boys friendship seems to have any chemistry and the wedge she drives between them is brief and easy to miss. The madness of it all is brought to a head after a school reunion where Mr Bland reminisces about his crush whilst staring at Kochi Castle. We see flashbacks of her constant whining and shortly after he concludes that he loves her. Great animation, terrible story. Not worth your time.