Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to that Day (1988)
Animation Production: Studio Pierrot
Director: Mochizuki Tomomitsu
Running Time: 70 Minutes
Released by: Animeigo
By Jeffrey Couto

Introduction

Kimagure Orange Road: I want to Return to that Day is the conclusion to the original TV series story. Whereas the series was a whimsical exploration of young love and the carefree lives of Kyosuke, Hikaru, and Madoka, the movie is a more serious affair that strips away all the comedic elements and any hints of Kyosuke and his family’s ESP abilities. It’s sole focus is a story about growing up and moving beyond the boundaries of our youth.

Story

"On a brisk day in early spring, Kyosuke and Madoka walk together on the grounds of a university, on their way to the signboard that will tell them if they have passed the entrance examination. A chance comment is overheard, and Kyosuke's thoughts range back...to the previous summer, when he was struggling to prepare for the all-important examinations, amid the myriad distractions of youth...

...to the previous summer, when he and Madoka finally came to grips with their feelings for one another...

...to the previous summer, when he tried not to break Hikaru's heart...

"Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to That Day" is the bittersweet conclusion to the story." -- Animeigo's KOR Page

Review

From the moment the movie opens we know we’re in for something radically different from the TV series and OVA’s. In a scene that is devoid of any color, Kyosuke and Madoka make their way through town in their mopeds, they’re about to learn whether they passed their college acceptance examinations. As they make their way through campus Kyosuke overhears a young girl talking to an older student, she’s asking him to please come and see her in a play that she’s in. As he hears this Kyosuke is taken aback and begins to think back to the past and what happened to Madoka, Hikaru, and their friendship.

The screen fades out and the main body of the movie begins. The story itself is a rather bittersweet one that changes the dynamics of the relationships we’ve come to know. Choices are made, characters grow beyond the constraints of their youthful lives and begin moving towards the next big stage in life. To say anything more might ruin what is a wonderfully written story and conclusion, especially for anyone who has yet to see it.

Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to that Day is easily one of the most powerful anime films I’ve ever seen and to me ranks up there with other timeless classics of anime such as Arcadia of my Youth and Macross: Do You Remember Love? This comparison may sound like an exaggeration, but when a movie makes me care so much for the characters in it and stays in my mind even days after watching it, to me it represents the true hallmark of a great film.

The writers of this film opted for a real conclusion to the long running love triangle between Kyosuke, Hikaru, and Madoka, and when the decision is made it breaks everyone’s heart, including the viewer. Maybe it’s because all the characters are so likeable or maybe it’s because the story is handled with such great realism and poignancy, but either way I felt very connected to the characters as they went through what could easily be described as their greatest hardship in their lives.

While the story by itself is serious and has a more mature feel, it’s the visuals, atmosphere, and narrative that really help make it the classic that it is. There is a lot subtle symbolism embedded into the visuals that give everything the characters do and say a richer/deeper meaning within the context of the movie and overall Kimagure Orange Road universe.

The atmosphere and narrative in the film is also very different from the rest of the series. It is a more relaxed and quite environment in which our protagonists find themselves in this time and unlike in the past Kyosuke only talks to us as a narrator in a very limited capacity, which in a way serves to remove us from his perspective and allows us to view each member of the triangle individually from our own perspective. I think this helps makes the movie that much more compelling.

The production itself is similar in quality to the OVA’s, albeit it enjoys slightly higher production values and an overall better frame rate that makes for smoother animation. The color palette feels more subtle and muted however, which is very fitting and goes with the overall tone of the movie.

The soundtrack like the color palette feels very muted in this movie, with very few stand out pieces, however the songs feature here are a perfect fit and really help drive home the events that are taking place. The voice actors do an amazing job, giving their characters a very realistic on-screen presence.

As an overall package the DVD that Animeigo put together for this release is pretty good. The video transfer was sharp and didn’t have any color smudges that I could pick up on. Subtitles were easy to read and flowed nicely, never interfering with the onscreen action. As always a linear notes insert is included, this one with the lyrics to the songs featured in the film. DVD extras include an artwork gallery and the original Japanese trailers for two of the OVA releases.

Conclusion

Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to that Day is without a doubt one of the best anime films ever assembled and is a great example of why this was such a landmark series that even today is casting its influence on other shows and movies. If you enjoy a good romantic anime or are a fan of the series this is required viewing.

I wish I could talk more about the story itself and what I thought of certain moments, but to do so would really spoil a wonderful story for those who are yet to explore it themselves. Make yourself a favor and check out this film.

Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to that Day comes with our highest recommendation.

Jeffrey Couto