UlasanAnime.com – The film “Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo,” also known as “The Girl Who Leapt through Time,” recently had a screening in New York City as part of the New York International Children’s Film Fest. Unlike previous showings in Boston or Waterloo, this particular screening was attended by a significant number of parents and young children. The movie was presented with subtitles, and the audience, even the younger ones, seemed to appreciate it, reacting with laughter to certain lines, such as one about skipping “jerking off.”
The film itself is filled with humorous moments, though it’s not strictly a comedy. It can be described as a romantic coming-of-age story with a science fiction element that adds a thought-provoking layer. While the overall impression was positive, there were aspects that left the reviewer feeling a bit confused and slightly unsettled.
The character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto are aesthetically pleasing, but at times they seemed to clash with the film’s more cartoony animation style. The pacing was generally well-executed, although the climax, with its abrupt tension and release, felt somewhat jarring. The director clearly possesses considerable skill, but the simplicity of the plot sometimes led to moments where elements in the movie felt superfluous.
A notable point of contention for the reviewer was the main actress’s performance. While acknowledging her good acting, the reviewer found her constant vocalizations, often in isolation, to be irritating. The sound design was generally well-done, but these specific instances of sound effects felt excessive.
Despite these reservations, the film ultimately flowed smoothly and was cohesive and engaging. The characters, from the enigmatic aunt and the younger sister reminiscent of Enma Ai, to the two male leads, the confession trio, and even the supportive girlfriend, felt well-integrated and contributed meaningfully to the narrative.
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The animation was clean and complemented Sadamoto’s designs. It was fluid and organic, though it occasionally became choppy during scenes of Makoto’s crying fits or tumbles. The backgrounds were also visually appealing, but given the film’s theme of time travel, they could feel somewhat repetitive, with a desire for more varied shots of the Konno household. The filmmakers did make an effort to address this by reanimating many of the flashback sequences.
While the film doesn’t have an official age rating, the festival classified it as 10+. It’s recommended as a good film to watch with a girlfriend and potentially with teenagers, though the reviewer suggests individual discretion for younger audiences.
Regarding the plot, the core message is that “time waits for no one.” For a more detailed synopsis of the film’s events, a comprehensive description from the previous year is available. The original story is based on a science fiction novel of the same title by Tsutsui, who also wrote “Paprika.” The official Japanese website features an image of Makoto leaping into a blue sky.
Overall, “The Girl Who Leapt through Time” is recommended for viewing, primarily for its comedic elements and its simple, sweet romantic storyline, which may compensate for other perceived shortcomings.
