Scan barcode
aa77's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rachcannoli's review
3.0
This is the novelization of two different movies. Novelizations are most certainly hit or miss and tricky to pull off, especially of something anime that is usually far more abstract in concept or slower moving, as is the case with both of these stories. There's a lot hidden under their simplistic tales, but I have a feeling I missed a lot of it due to this not being the intended medium of consumption. I've never read a novelized anime before, and while I really enjoyed the language of these stories, it leaves me just really wanting to watch the films as the authors intend. It's mentioned in the authors notes that I should be capable of reading this and not missing anything, but I have a feeling it's more supplemental to the real works.
5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND is split into three parts. The first part is of two childhood best friends, Takaki and Akari, who slowly grow apart due to peer judgment of having a bff of the opposite sex and further hindered after Akari moves. They keep in touch through letters and phone calls until Takaki learns his family is moving across the country. In a last ditch effort, he makes the arduous journey through public transportation and weather to see Akari one last time. Part two is from the POV of Kanae, classmate of Takaki, now in 3rd year of high school who's in deep, unrequited love with him. And part three is nine years later, Takaki and Akari look back on their decisions and life as they experience the same dream hoping to view the cherry blossoms together once more.
I utterly adored the first section and found it to be the most interesting/successful story. I adore in anime/manga when young children are 'in love' and how deeply they feel everything, it's so heartbreakingly lovely. I also found it relatable in growing apart and moving on due to circumstances beyond your control. If it had just been this story I would've left completely satisfied,
but unfortunately that was not the case. The second part felt completely out of nowhere and entirely irrelevant to the overarching story, especially since most of it was told from the POV of a completely new character. Then the last section was so incredibly depressing while simultaneously unrealistic. It makes it seem like Takaki found the love of his life when he was a child and will never find that again, despite the multiple other relationships he has, and It completely diluted the point of the first section, in my opinion, and just left me with such an empty feeling.
CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES is about a 6th grade girl who finds herself transported to a world of mythical beasts and strange warriors. There she meets a father figure type looking to restore his beloved wife to life, but at what cost?
This story felt very studio Ghibli with it's high concept/complicated world, reminiscent of Princess Mononoke. I feel it would be vastly improved in a visual medium as I found it really difficult to wrap my brain around the events. It felt really unfocused and a lot of the character work was severely lacking so I found it difficult to relate. That's not uncommon with anime as it's usually very plot driven, but without the gorgeous visuals I found it hard to get engrossed.
Overall, I can tell how talented the author is and enjoyed this novelization for what it was, but I think I'll be much better suited to just watch the stories in the visual medium it was intended.
5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND is split into three parts. The first part is of two childhood best friends, Takaki and Akari, who slowly grow apart due to peer judgment of having a bff of the opposite sex and further hindered after Akari moves. They keep in touch through letters and phone calls until Takaki learns his family is moving across the country. In a last ditch effort, he makes the arduous journey through public transportation and weather to see Akari one last time. Part two is from the POV of Kanae, classmate of Takaki, now in 3rd year of high school who's in deep, unrequited love with him. And part three is nine years later, Takaki and Akari look back on their decisions and life as they experience the same dream hoping to view the cherry blossoms together once more.
I utterly adored the first section and found it to be the most interesting/successful story. I adore in anime/manga when young children are 'in love' and how deeply they feel everything, it's so heartbreakingly lovely. I also found it relatable in growing apart and moving on due to circumstances beyond your control. If it had just been this story I would've left completely satisfied,
but unfortunately that was not the case. The second part felt completely out of nowhere and entirely irrelevant to the overarching story, especially since most of it was told from the POV of a completely new character. Then the last section was so incredibly depressing while simultaneously unrealistic. It makes it seem like Takaki found the love of his life when he was a child and will never find that again, despite the multiple other relationships he has, and
Spoiler
in the end you think they may be reunited, but while he waits, Akaki moves on by the time the train passes to her life and marry someone else. And I mean, fair, these two have literally not spoken since that one moment as children, but then what's the point?CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES is about a 6th grade girl who finds herself transported to a world of mythical beasts and strange warriors. There she meets a father figure type looking to restore his beloved wife to life, but at what cost?
This story felt very studio Ghibli with it's high concept/complicated world, reminiscent of Princess Mononoke. I feel it would be vastly improved in a visual medium as I found it really difficult to wrap my brain around the events. It felt really unfocused and a lot of the character work was severely lacking so I found it difficult to relate. That's not uncommon with anime as it's usually very plot driven, but without the gorgeous visuals I found it hard to get engrossed.
Overall, I can tell how talented the author is and enjoyed this novelization for what it was, but I think I'll be much better suited to just watch the stories in the visual medium it was intended.
ktjawrites's review
5.0
Novelizations can be hit or miss, but these are well worth a read and the films are well worth the watch.
neyzy's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hotsake's review against another edition
3.0
This is a two stories in one book bind up and so I’ll speak about each.
5 Centimeters Per Second was split into three parts. The first part was really great and I really vibes with it. The second part was dull and I struggled a bit to get through it. The third part while better than the second part was only slightly better than average.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices, much like the movie it’s based on feels both rushed and overlong. The story is very unfocused and the character arc feel really lacking.
Overall I’d give both stories an even 3/5 and so the bind up also gets a 3/5.
5 Centimeters Per Second was split into three parts. The first part was really great and I really vibes with it. The second part was dull and I struggled a bit to get through it. The third part while better than the second part was only slightly better than average.
Children Who Chase Lost Voices, much like the movie it’s based on feels both rushed and overlong. The story is very unfocused and the character arc feel really lacking.
Overall I’d give both stories an even 3/5 and so the bind up also gets a 3/5.
deborahh_014's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brooke1118's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Both of the books are polar opposites of one another, but are both equally amazing. 5 centimeters per second is very character driven while Children who Chase Lost Voices is very plot driven. Both beautifully done and engaging
cjc's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I really enjoyed the first part 5 Centimeters per Second, although it was very short and left me desiring the story to have more detail. I loathed the second story as it was just.. bad. I really did not enjoy it but still finished it for completionist’s sake. If I were to only rate the first story, I’d give it a 4.25. The second gets a 2.
More...