Anime: Hotori: Tada Saiwai o Koinegau.

Verdict: Profoundly Easygoing Appetizer.

'Artsy' titles always tend to raise questions during their runtime, with Hotori being no exception to that rule. But, if we make the way in which they deal with those questions a quality criterion for the respective title, then 'Hotori' suddenly sticks out... and probably not in the best way.



Animation:
The facial designs are, I daresay, a tad inappropriate for the actual mood of this one. Given the overall realism and enjoyable tranquility of this title, something a bit more realistic might have been the better choice. To give an example, I'm thinking something like 'HaibaneRenmei' here.
Anyway - the animation is smooth, if slow-paced, and the vivid backgrounds manage to create a good immersion.

Sound:
The Seiyuu are fitting and do a nice job, while the slow, orchestral score merges well into the calm mood without being obtrusive. Granted, nothing overly memorable here, but like a composer once said: 'if the audience doesn't really notice your background music, it usually means you got it right'. =)

Story:
Very thin in terms of actual plot, but nonetheless splendid in its basic premise and level of execution. The ending may be an issue, but the underlying idea is both very original and touching.

Character:
As to be expected from a character-driven title, both quality and believability of personae are visibly above the level of an average show. But considering that the characters are supposed to be the 'main' point in both story and concept of this one, I feel that they could have been a tad more memorable.



Finishing Line:
I really enjoyed Hotori a lot. But now that it's over, I can't deny that it lacks something. And something potentially important at that.
Hotori probably unintentionally, yet unavoidably raises one of the Top 5 questions ever asked, namely "Who are we?", or rather "What makes us who we are?". Are we but our memories? Or more? Or maybe less? Unfortunately, it raises it without making actual use of it.
One might think that the reason for this could be the short runtime... but then again, the ending itself ignores or rather even denies that very question, as well. Which, really, doesn't feel right.

That said, 'Hotori' is a very interesting and charming watch - and deserves to get a look from everyone who likes tranquil storytelling and touching scenarios. Only be warned not to expect any -articulated- philosophical layer. The questions arise from the very nature of the story told, but sadly, they are neither answered NOR properly adressed.

This is the cute but slightly dramatic story of Suzu and Hotori, who became good friends while going through the most traumatic event of their life: Suzu is gaining memories from a dead boy while Hotori is losing hers due to an incurable illness.

The contrast of both their experience is a very interesting idea: while one character is losing his memory (and thus personality), the other is developing one. Wow for originality.

However, I have mixed thoughts about this little movie here. The story is told in a touching way, and deals with the emotions and issues brought upon the two main characters. It looks innocent and simplistic because it's told from the kids' point of view, but I felt it was somewhat lacking in depth. A more thorough, or emotionally "violent" way would have touched or moved me even more than what I have seen in those 40 minutes. For example, there was barely a hint of what moral issues we could deal with if we could really implement personalities of dead people into robots (and "own" those robots). I personally think it would be sick to do so, but in the movie it's the most normal of things.

Ah, but this is a short movie, so I guess it's OK not to deal with more serious social dilemmas. The point was to be light and cute, and it is.

The animation is OK: sharp, simple, with soft colors but no outstanding efforts on design nor special effects (it would have been pointless). It's kind of like the animation of Koi Kaze.

Sound is not the strongest point either: soft piano and keyboards played in emotional moments, the rest is made up of silence. Characters are portrayed in a subdued and unobtrusive way. Thay are soft, innocent, quiet, not overly exaggerated in any way (which makes them cute and all).

The rewatch value is not so low as dk75 suggests. The ending is not the biggest punchline out there, so it won't really spoil a second watching if you already have seen it. My guess is most people will have guessed it before it comes. The biggest points for rewatch are really for the originality of the idea (and probably the many avenues you would think of exploring that THEY didn't).

Overall, a recommendation if you'd like to see an interesting contrast between two characters, but veer off if you're looking for any kind of intensity.

I've had some problems when i've decided to write this review.
What? Some points? It's difficult for me and on top of that "THEY" sugests not to rate it all for "10".
It's hard, very hard.

So.
We have story about robot, named Suzu, which have personality implantation in progress. Doctor's are implanting into HIM, part by part a personality of dead boy, Ogura Ryou.
Suzu, while playing in the hospital's park, went to old and unused part of complex and meet a girl, Shimizu Hotori.
Hotori have internal disease and as part of side effect, by time, she's loosing her memory.
And that how starts great fredship forever - where "forever" is quiet interesting term as story ends.

This anime isn't action pack. It's story develop slowly and is very short.
But it's heart cacher like "Graves of Fireflies" and asks about our humanity like GITS but indirectly.

Altought animation is not outstanding but i've enyojed this show very much.

But this show have one weak point: it's short, simply and incrave deeply into your heart.
So, when you start to rewach it instantly you'll remember whole show and loose your heart to this task. ;PPPp

So, it's one time "watcher" show.