Hey, folks. Ace here. A few months ago, I found a MAD (Japanese AMV) on Youtube that paired the Japanese opening of Digimon Adventure, which is one of my favorite songs, to some anime I'd never heard of called "Brave Story." I watched the entire video, blissfully unaware of all the spoilers I was setting myself up for (which I later forgot all about anyway.) After finishing the video, I went to Wikipedia to investigate further into this mysterious series. I found out that it was actually a movie. Based on a manga. Based on a novel.
I'm sure you're all aware of a bizarre phenomenon called "Adaptation Decay." It's the process of a work losing something in translation to another medium. This is the reason the third Harry Potter movie sucked, the Naruto anime is plagued by two full seasons of filler and Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water barely resembles 20,000 leagues Under the Sea. I had figured that by translating something into a different medium twice, the result would probably end up something like the Super Mario Bros. movie, i.e. highly unpleasant. Nonetheless, the art was pretty and there seemed to be a pretty good story behind it judging from some of the sequences. Therefore, about two weeks ago I decided to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did.
Here's the setup; Wataru Mitsuya, an 11-year-old Japanese elementary school student, is a perfectly normal kid. He has his problems, like the school bullies and such, but he's perfectly content living with his mother and father in a local apartment building. That is, until his dad comes home one day to inform him that there's a divorce in the near future. As if that wasn't tragic enough, his mother falls ill (apparently this bit is toned down from the novel, understandably so,) and he's left with an uncertain future and almost nothing of his previous life left to keep him happy. His only hope lies in a rumor told to him by Mitsuru Ashikawa, a boy he had recently befriended, and a mysterious otherworldly gate branching out from a construction site.
Of course, the only course of action is to follow Ashikawa through this gate. In doing so, Wataru arrives in the fantastic world of Vision, where anthropomorphic animals roam free and Highlanders uphold the law of the land. He is sent on a quest to collect five special gems, which are rumored to allow their collector to ascend to the heavens and receive a single wish from the Goddess of Fortune. Along the way, Wataru befriends a number of unique characters, including Kee Keema, a large amphibious reptile-man, Meena, a kind and agile catgirl, Jozo, a baby dragon, and Kattsu, the skillful and headstrong leader of the Highlanders. He also learns that Ashikawa may not be using entirely ethical means to reach his end and get his wish...
One of the best parts of this movie is its ability to constantly shift between funny, serious and even tragic without feeling too contrived. You might be able to argue that the events leading up to Wataru's journey involving his family seem like a bit of a Deus Angst Machina, but that's about it and apparently the original book makes them much more natural (though also darker.) There are lighthearted moments, but they never detract from the epic storyline and some of the best scenes in the movie are real tear-jerkers. The film also tells an important message in what is and is not acceptable, even under the most dire of circumstances.
This film is a must-watch for any anime fan who can get their greasy mitts on it. It is not yet licensed in the States, but there are torrents available. Just remember, a movie that is worth enjoying more than once is worth paying for. If you like the movie and it is ever released in your country, please purchase it. It keeps the industry strong and shows anime studios that fans are interested in wonderful works like Brave Story.
