Bubble: A Anime Film Review That Will Leave You Stunned [Spoiler Alert]
Bubble isn’t your average anime film. It combines all the traditional elements of an anime – fantasy, action, romance, and great story-telling – but adds in new elements to create a riveting story that will leave you stunned at the end. Bubble deserves all the praise it’s received so far because it’s not just another one of those cliche anime films where the main character has special powers and saves the world from destruction. Here are the reasons why you need to watch this exceptional film!
An Introduction to the Story
Bubble is a 2008 Japanese anime film, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Sadayuki Murai. It is based on an award-winning short story, also entitled Bubble, by Haruki Murakami. The music for Bubble was composed by Kiyoshi Yoshida. The film stars voice actors Emi Takei and Masumi Asano as sisters who move from Tokyo to a country town where strange things are happening. The film premiered at Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2008 and was released in theaters in Japan on March 7, 2008. It has grossed more than $1 million at U.S.
The Characters
To begin, let's discuss one of my favorite anime characters of all time, Itou Hiroko. This girl was so frustrating to watch in action because she just didn't want to grow up and become more independent. Instead, she relied heavily on her boyfriend (Jun) for support and guidance. This is something that any young woman should avoid doing when it comes to their love life... but I can't really blame her too much. In some ways, Hiroko is just a girl who wants some stability and comfort in her life... which I completely understand because I don't want that out of my own romantic relationship either! ...In theory anyway!
The Ending/Conclusion
This movie was nothing short of remarkable. It was brilliantly written and implemented, however due to its complex nature, it is easy to miss many nuances in conversations and events that take place in scenes prior to key revelations. I implore anyone who has seen Bubble to watch it again because there are many hidden details you will miss. It’s one of those films that you have to revisit to fully grasp what you have watched. Do not fret if your first viewing left you with more questions than answers; a second watching can quickly change that situation into a powerful comprehension of what truly happened in Bubble's brilliant storyline.
My Thoughts on the Movie
The film centers around a young girl named Naru, whose character is developed very well throughout the movie. As she falls deeper into her addiction to mysterious bubblegum that appears at her school one day, it becomes increasingly difficult for her friends and family to put up with her erratic behavior. Her helpless father’s only hope is that his daughter will someday come back to him, but until then he will do whatever it takes to find and help his daughter. The movie had many ups and downs, and I was interested through all 90 minutes of its duration. This film may not be everyone’s favorite, but I enjoyed it very much. I would highly recommend watching Bubble if you are looking for an anime thriller with lots of suspense.