Score: 8.32/10
Doukyuusei (Movie)
Synopsis
Rihito Sajou is an honor student who got perfect scores in every subject on his high school entrance exam. Hikaru Kusakabe plays guitar in his band that performs at live events and is popular among the girls. These boys would have never crossed paths. But one day Hikaru offers to help Rihito prepare for their upcoming chorus festival and the two begin to talk. As the two meet after school, they feel one another's sound, listen to each other's voice, and begin to harmonize as their hearts beat together. It starts out slow but soon their feelings for one another grow and in just one moment they both realize that it is love. Hikaru's emotions are frivolous, pure, and direct causing Rihito to hesitate at first, but he gradually opens his heart. The boys are learning about each other as they also learn about themselves and support one another during this difficult time typical to youth. As the time to start thinking about their futures approaches, what do these young men find as they try to move forward... (Source: Aniplex USA)
You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this. I’ve been familiar with the source material for more than a couple of years and have read it over and again multiple times. I’ve even listened to the Drama CD more times than I would probably ever confess to.
I am what you would call “biased af”.
So yeah, no effort to be objective here.
Simple story, “a boy meets a boy, they were in the blush of youth”, but it is that simplicity that keeps it fresh and sweet without making it too mushy. The movie covers only the first volume of the series, but it is enough to appease my fangirl heart.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie before that just has me grinning from side to side for the whole time looking like a psycho.
As an interesting point that can also be a bit of a minus, you can clearly tell this was plot derived from a manga. You have shots that lead you around like panels, jokes that work more on manga since they are kept more brief and a pacing that is at the same time a bit rushed and slowed down. But you can’t really blame anyone, that’s how manga works, translating Nakamura Asumiko’s format is probably pretty tough.
The voice actors are once again doing an outstanding job, it was interesting to hear them do the dialogues in slightly different tones, pacing, implying different emotions (yes I remember what they sounded like for all the dialogues in the Drama CD by heart I’m fujoshi fangirl trash). It felt like they understood maybe their characters more. Kamiya Hiroshi is one of my all time weaknesses in the seiyuu world, he didn’t disappoint. I guess it’s funny how the Drama CD was made during the time none of the three main voice actors were big and yet now they are considered quite the formidable cast. It makes you realize how long it’s been.
All in all this was great for my heart. It makes me want to re-read the series. I probably will. Ok I’ll read it now bye
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