![]() In theatres since July 4 th, Fireworks is definitely worth your time. Producer Genki Kawamura, of the extremely well-made and popular Your Name, hits the mark once again. Adolescent love triangles, problems at home, stupid teenage boys, desires to break free and be something or someone else… Fireworks is elegantly drawn, and its magical storytelling is both familiar and new. ![]() Once again, GKIDS brings us a film, which just happens to be animated. Although Norimichi can reset time in this story, there is only one timeline to confront. Visually, are they flat or round when viewed from the side? Only one view is correct in the real world. This device does not simply reset time it creates its own alternative world into which one can sink deeper and deeper. Now, while you might assume that this sounds like an adolescent, romantic Groundhog Day, focus on the orb. Produced by the animation studio Shaft, Inc., and originally released by Toho, Fireworks is actually based on a live-action television drama that aired in 1993 the story has history and its own fans. And although he keeps resetting time to help Nazuna the best he can, his time jumping ultimately forces him to deal with his friendship with Yusuke, who also likes Nazuna, and the reality of Nazuna’s situation with her mother. Norimichi soon learns that the orb allows him to reset time and start over at any point he desires. Intent on running away to Tokyo and dragging Norimichi with her, Nazuna’s orb will alter their day and, for a brief time, their perception of reality. This also happens to be her last day at school, as her mother is getting married for the third time and moving to a new town. ![]() On the day of an annual festival, in which fireworks are the capstone event, Nazuna finds a mysterious pearl-like orb in the water. Better still, its story unfolds through stunning art, music, and an otherworldly element that would be right at home in a Murakami novel.įireworks essentially tells the story of Nazuna and Norimichi, two school kids in a small seaside town. Fireworks taps into a familiar adolescent vein in order to tell a relatable narrative. Well, after a long wait, that image in the sky of a boy, a slightly taller girl, and a suitcase between them didn’t disappoint. There was something about this film, and I knew eventually I’d need to find it. Without much context, since my ability to read Japanese is still very limited, the artwork and stills were far more than enough to draw me in. On that day in the Tokyo sky I happened to come across a small exhibition of artwork for a movie that had just opened in August: Fireworks. And once we were high up in the main observation pod we found vast views of Tokyo that were not only expected, but also a bit lonely at that height. However, once we entered this impressive structure, the tower, unlike the streets outside, was full of visitors, tour groups, and children lined up in neat rows everyone was calmly in queue, waiting for their trip up the elevator. The day felt lazy, as if I were actually on vacation. This ward outside the heart of the city, with its quiet streets and sleepy bookshops, had a very suburban feel. On a trip that included many wonderful walks around the city, one Friday afternoon we made our way to Sumida to visit the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. This time I specifically flew in to visit friends, one of whom had never been to Japan. ![]() I was in Tokyo for a few weeks, staying, as usual, in Shinjuku. Fireworks: where so-called slice of life anime and magical realism merge.īack in October 2017 I found myself doing something rather touristy – and I’m a terrible tourist.
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