Source: IMDb
“Time might separate us someday. But, even still, until then, let’s stay together.”
Introduction
Movie’s Name - Hotarubi no Mori e (To The Forest of Firefly Lights)
Directed By - Takahiro Omori
Genre - Animation, Fantasy, Drama
Original Language - Japanese
Release Date - September 17, 2011
Run Time - 44 mins
Plot Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!
Hotarubi no Mori e follows the story of a 6-year old girl named Hotaru Takegawa visiting her grandparents during her summer holiday. She gets lost in the forest that’s believed to be inhabited by a mountain spirit and other youkai. A mask-wearing, human-like entity named Gin discovers her and warns Hotaru that if he is touched by a human, he will vanish forever. Hotaru is then led out of the forest by Gin.
Over the next few days, Hotaru travels to the forest to visit Gin, and the two become friends despite the constraints on their contact. Gin doesn't seem to age as time passes, although Hotaru physically matures and approaches his apparent age. Hotaru struggles with their blossoming romance and their uncertain future together as she enters puberty, while Gin wishes he could touch and hold the young woman Hotaru has become.
Gin takes Hotaru on a date to a forest festival hosted by the spirits when she graduates from high school. Gin unknowingly touches a human boy while saving him from falling. Gin’s body starts vanishing but before he completely vanishes, he and Hotaru finally hug and express their love for one another, and the night ends in tragedy. Hotaru accepts her suffering and moves on with her life at the end, while she will always cherish the memories of her time with Gin.
Movie Review
This story certainly packs a punch in terms of emotions for such a short 45-minute film. It’s a simple, heartwarming story with a gradual build-up of their love. It's a kind of forbidden love in which neither is allowed to touch the other. Gin will vanish forever if this happens. The plot is simple and revolves around the relationship between the two major characters.
We are offered small glimpses into the characters’ daily routines, hinting at how brief their time together each summer is. Its character-driven plot doesn't offer much to elaborate on the enchanted forest or its supporting characters, but it does provide us enough to continue Hotaru and Gin's primary storyline. Even the animation technique isn't as complex or elaborate as in other anime flicks.
Although it is only a 45-minute movie, one grows to like Hotaru and Gin. We observe how they provide comfort to each other at a time when they are both at their loneliest, and how their relationship evolves over time from acquaintances to good friends and finally lovers (even though it's only for a few fleeting moments in the end).
Hotaru’s yearning passion for Gin and Gin’s wistful affection for Hotaru is enhanced by the music score, which is a gorgeous combination of piano and violin pieces. It provides the viewers with a lasting impact of how fleeting their interactions are. There’s not a huge variety of songs since the movie is short but the quality is just amazing. The music evokes a sense of calm and peace just like that of a forest and enhances the whole feel of the movie’s setting.
I felt that the ending was foreshadowed from the beginning. That's why maybe it didn’t come as much of a shock but that doesn’t mean it hurts less either. The atmosphere of the movie echoes of impending tragedy lurking behind the happy encounters. Even Hotaru realizes somewhere in her heart that these encounters could just suddenly come to an end.
Hotaru understands that their encounters will not go on eternally, as much as she hopes they would. Nonetheless, her determination to make the most of her time with Gin stays constant. Because life is brief, she vows to love to the fullest, even though the agony that may follow is devastating. She understands that she can only go forward.
“I probably won't be able to look forward to summer for a long time. My chest will hurt. My tears will be overflowing. But this warmth in my hands and these summer memories will live on in my heart.”
This movie stresses the beauty of human life's impermanence. Life is a momentum that continues to flow on, and we mature, fail, love, and suffer from each passing day, but that is the joy of it all. As is the case with Gin, human life is not designed to be prolonged or bound by our absurd desires to live in a continual comfortable state that keeps us away from people who might harm us.
The Bottom Line
Hotarubi no Mori e is the epitome of why I adore Japanese anime. It is about adolescence and the challenges of being alone as a child. It employs an extraordinary, almost otherworldly character to guide the girl - and the viewers - through the one-way journey of coming of age and the lessons learned along the way. It combines a child's perspective on life, love, and friendship.
Finally, it's about letting go of childhood and moving forward while keeping pleasant or painful memories alive. If you've ever had a forbidden love or a first love that didn't work out, you'll definitely be able to connect to this story. Even if you haven't seen it, this movie will leave you with unfathomable feelings and a want to see more. It's a work of art in every way.
My ratings of the movie - 4.5 on 5
Written By - Sanjana Chaudhary
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