Review of A Whisker Away

"...I was sick of this world but now I know it isn't so bad; because I met Hinade after all." Hello, welcome one and all. Today I will be talking about the story of the two who have trouble communicating with those close to them, but express their personalities in very different ways. Truthfully, I was expecting your average romance going into the movie, and even thought a little into it. However, A Whisker Away completely blew away my expectations for romance movies, and I think it's safe to say that my standards are basically screwed over now. Seriously, this thing is underrated, and in myopinion, comparable or even greater than other great works such as Kimi No Na Wa, Tenki no Ko, and even many other anime as a whole. With a bit of my initial passionate rant out of the way, let's get on to the main review. P.S. This is my first review, after watching about 350ish anime, this movie completely took me by storm, and there was literally no way I could not write about it. (THIS REVIEW WILL BE SPOILER FREE)

-Story- [9]

A Whisker Away composes a compelling story, one with whimsical but realistic romance. At first, the attraction feels forced, one-sided, and unreasonable. However there is a reason for this, and this is what truly makes this movie shine. The background details set the path for NakiNeko to weave a a simple yet powerful romance, one where I myself was rooting all the way for the main couple to succeed. The idea of the impressionistic freedom of cats clashing with the daily strife of humans places an interesting spin on our commonplace interactions, and you begin to consider both perspectives.

Now, if you were confronted with a seemingly impossible love, would you turn into a cat to make your crush like you? This question may seem ridiculous at first, but it sheds light on complex human emotions, dragging out the extent of what one would do for love. We follow Muge, the energetic but unstable girl, in her quest to enamor the annoyed Hinade, who continues to rebuke her advances on the human front. Muge makes a deal to devious cat called the "Mask Seller," to turn into a cat and earn the affection of her crush, and this paves the way for interesting perspectives on both sides. In this world, at some point, all of us have that moment of whether we have meaning to those around us, and can't communicate this is a meaningful way. Loneliness. Solitude. Simple but widespread, huh? This movie explores two teenagers who are going through this phase due to common circumstances, both of which have a veneer different as night and day, but share the exact same internal conflicts.

-Art- [10]

There's not much that needs to be said here. I'm looking through all the negative reviews and even these simpletons seem to acknowledge the beautiful and picturesque scenery. It's simple yet intricate, and more than enough to convey the mood or emotions that the situation is calling for. In other words, absolutely stunning.

-Sound- [10]

Calming. That's one word to capture the feel of the music accurately. The soundtrack is appropriate for every situation, be it lighthearted, heavy, playful, emotional, intense, you name it. Hana Ni Bourei and Night Journey completely blew me away. I'm not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that they are some of the best japanese voices and soundtracks I've ever had the privelege to hear, and trust me, I've listened to quite a lot. I implore you to check them out.

-Character- [10]

The characters are possibly the best aspect in this movie. What's so special about them? Absolutely nothing. Nothing is special about them. No kind of traumatizing backstory, no lofty goal, no inhuman traits such as endless courage in the face of adversity or anything of the sort. These characters are your normal, everyday, simplistic characters you can find at your local highschool. And that is exactly why they're so multifaceted. When you decide to watch this absolute masterpiece, pay a keen eye to how much you have in common with the characters. I won't say anything else on this front; you must experience it for yourself.

-Enjoyment- [10]

If it wasn't already obvious, let me spell it out for you. I FREAKING LOVED this movie. By the end, I was awestruck. I watched this with my cousin, both of us very avid fans of romance anime, and we both share the opinion that this movie was an immediate 10/10. I am now writing this review about 30 minutes after watching it, with my mouth still agape and listening to Night Journey.

-Overall- [10]

I know opinion is subjective, and anime is open to all kinds of interpretation, but I'm of the opinion that if you don't consider this movie at least an 8, then you did not understand the characters or the message it was trying to convey, plain and simple.

This is a must watch for anyone with a love for a beautifully woven and blossoming romance, so please enjoy this movie to the fullest.