voices of a distant star

Alternate Titles: Hoshi no Koe

Original Japanese Release Date: 2002

Episode Length/Run-time: 25 Minutes

Summary:

Mikako is one of the first classes of high-school mecha pilots headed into space.  However, as a result of her journey she leaves behind Noboru, her friend and love interest.  As their distance grows their communication begins to take longer and longer.

Review:

Being a Makoto Shinkai work your first reaction to this movie is, ‘oooh shiny.’  This is actually one of his first works, done nearly 100% by himself.  Knowing this the short film becomes even more impressive.  Sometimes when the character designs seem a bit off, or the animation a bit unsteady you stop and think that it’s all one man’s work and it becomes entirely excusable.

Each of Shinkai’s films has a theme, and Voices of a Distant Star is no different.  The overall theme here is about time.  As Mikako takes to space her only line of communication becomes text messages.  And the farther she goes the longer it takes for them to return to earth.  When she makes a light-year jump this time is lengthened to the point that she is barely more than a year older and Noboru is now fifteen years.

The story weighs heavily on how long you can love someone, and how their presence, or lack there of, over time can affect your feelings.

The end of the anime is a bit odd, how all of a sudden the aliens come out of nowhere.  But everything in this movie is near flawless and placed together in an effortlessly beautiful way.  For anyone who has loved over time this movie is for you.

[starrater]