An absolute waste of money

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

OTHER REVIEWS AT booksequalhappiness.blogspot.comI really like the story of this movie. It's your typical manga story but it was fun and entertaining to watch. I really like the bond that developed between the two lead characters. Also, the animation was very beautiful and pleasing to watch. However, there was one major turn-off for me. That turn-off is the reason why I'll probably never watch this again. If you decide to watch this, stop after the part where Gin and Hotaru has had their fun in the festival.

"It is sad not to love, but it is much sadder not to be able to love." The quote by Miguel de Unamuno becomes soulful and symbolic when we refer to it as in the context of this amazing anime. It's believed that the genre of romance has grown stiff and it seems very difficult to find a movie that does not deplete of originality and true sensuality, a genre that has nothing fresh to offer and most suggested things are a cliché these days. Well then, I'm truly glad I can say that whoever sports that belief is wrong. The evidence: Hotarubi no Mori e.

It was nice, just the ending was not the best. But great story and art

This film is a flashback of Hotaru as a child, growing up with a masked guy named Gin. There is a plot hole on Hotaru getting lost in a forest, as clichéd as it seems, it's not really her getting lost that really concerns me but the reason on how she got lost. I don't know if she ran away from her parents or what.There is also lots of hitting a child which I do not approve on. They're kind of played for humor but 6-year-old children can be really sensitive about getting hurt so I don't see why they would whack a child on the head. A good spanking would be better. But like how much Gin hurts a child when she had no idea that her touching can cause him problems is just frustrating to me.I didn't care for Hotaru, I thought she was a stupid little girl. I especially hated how she cried with her hands over her face for a long time at the age of 9-10 year old!