Review of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) by Georgieboy M — 14 Jan 2013

One of (if not THE) most emotionally-satisfying animes of the 2000-2010 decade. This is the film that put newcomer Mamoru Hosoda on the map, (who later directed Summer Wars and Wolf Children.) You can clearly see the sincerity poured onto every frame, from the detail in background paintings to subtle details and mannerisms of characters.

Like a two-edged sword, "Tokikake," (as it is affectionately called by fans) works as both a slice-of-life, coming-of-age drama, as well as an intriguing sci-fi; it incorporates an ultra-believable teenage protagonist, whose relationship with other characters is so spot-on, you will forget this is an animated film.

While the film could have used a few brief cuts here-and-there, it is an awesome effort from an awesome talent, with emotion that drives through the heart, heightened by a truly memorable soundtrack and top-notch animation.

This is the type of anime Studio Ghibli should have produced circa 2006.