They say mean words cut deeper than a knife...do you believe in that? Well, for the record, I've been cut with those for a lot of times, and they really are scarring. You probably wondering why I'm prattling about mean words now, and of 'course that's because of the anime I watched yesterday. For days I totally abstained from watching any anime because of the upcoming tests I needed to focus on and yesterday was supposedly the day of one of our major tests. However, fortunately, it got postponed, and since I woke up early and couldn't sleep anymore, so I decided to just watch a movie that's been sitting for ages on my to-watch list.
So enough with that, be with me again as we take a brief peek at the story of heartbreak and healing in the movie: The Anthem of the Heart.
About the Anime
The Anthem of the Heart (Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda) aired on September 19, 2015. Its genres are romance and drama and its themes are predominantly performing arts and school. This original anime movie was animated by A-1 Pictures, and later on it had a live-action adaptation that aired July 22, 2017.
So it all started when Jun, a certified chatterbox, saw her father and another woman coming out from "a castle". Since she's naive and too deluded with fairytales, she thinks that it is just normal. And not long after, she unknowingly shared her father's infidelity with her mother and with that, the bond of their family crumbled. After being blamed by his father, she was filled with remorse and guilt to the point it manifested into a magical talking egg, which later sealed shut her mouth so that she could no longer use it to hurt people.
For years, she was able to live her life without speaking, however, a certain experience is bound to change that. Chosen to be one of the committees for an outreach event, she was forced then force to cooperate. She was really against the idea of being on the committee but after hearing her classmate, Takumi Sakagami, sing—something inside her stirred. Even though she still can't speak without having an upset stomach, she still tried to do the best she could to contribute, and along the way, she discovered something. Her curse doesn't affect her when she sings!
But can she now express the unsaid feelings that have been pent up within her? Or will she still choose them to be sealed inside that magic egg forever?
So I was expecting a lot from it because it started interestingly. The story immediately took off the moment the MC was introduced, which was a nice start because it immediately hooked me up. Although I couldn't relate to the conflict, I still felt the emotions that they wanted to convey. However, for me, it failed to sustain my attention for the whole time. There are times when the dialogue is too bland and conventional. It's not that I'm looking for totally deep talks, but I was just expecting something more.
Also, what tipped me off further is how the romance went. I somehow anticipated that it would be the typical high school romance with a love polygon and such, but still, I was expecting a twist. And they did give the twist, though I find it half-baked and uninteresting. The end part with romance felt so off, and although I like their ship, I didn't expect that they would resort to that quite cliche denouement. Yes, there are already hints along the way, but still, I expected something (I badly want to share it, but I don't want to spoil so...), which was a bad move because the more you expect something to happen the higher the chance you'll not get it.
Moving on from that, its art style was cute—it's not very stylistic nor detailed, but I guess its simplicity added to its charm. The animation was not that outstanding, but it was decent enough to convey their feelings—especially Jun's. Also, one of the things that I find creative is how they portrayed her guilt as a talking egg. I really find it brilliant because they're able to maximize the use of that symbolism up to the end. And as for its soundtrack, it's nice to hear some familiar tunes in it. The way they incorporated the made-up lyrics and those pre-existing tunes was lovely, and unlike its romance, this one didn't disappoint me. Most of them are melancholic and heartwarming and they match well with the mood of the movie.
All in all, I rate this anime 7.5/10 because it somehow fell short in sustaining the hype I felt for it at the start. It wasn't that entirely bad, but I guess that particular scene ruined most of the good things I've felt for this movie. I think the story would have gone better if the romance was left out. The subtle hints would just go well or perhaps a nicer portrayal of it, but anyway I still enjoyed most of it—especially those brief scenes with Sakagami's friends. So if you're up for a decent romantic drama movie with interesting music, then you need to try watching The Anthem of the Heart.
Before I end this review, I'll share with you its trailer, so—
Have you watched this movie already? Or you haven't yet? If you have something to share feel free to comment them down. And that's all for today, minna-san! I hope you enjoyed reading my review.
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne~
The pictures that didn't have source were screenshots from the movie while the last picture was edited in Canva.
Romances and cliché stories always have something entertaining about them. Not that they are fully good, but they have that necessary touch to cheer you up. That's what I think.
It's a good evaluation in relation to the details it possesses.
Yeah, conventional romance aren't really fully good but even though I find its trope cliche, still I can't help but enjoy it at some point. It may not be unique, yet it still managed to evoke some emotions in me.
Btw, thanks for stopping by and hope to see you around~
es muy linda y reflexiva, buen post!
it's very nice and thoughtful, good post!
Ahhhh okay... yeah it's a nice anime tho not really new but still it's enjoyable at some point.
Heartbreak and healing, a powerful theme. Your story resonates
I'm glad you somehow relate to it. If you're really interested in this movie this is just a less than couple of hours watch, so yeah, maybe you could give this a try.
Oiii, good luck to your major test, it was postponed so that you'll have enough time to study and watch anime, hahaha. Dibaaaaa? Lol.
Anyways, I've seen thia movie before but didn't give much attention to it. It sound interesting especially the start, but, I'm still not sure if I want to try it or not. I'm avoiding romance anime for now, except The Apothecary Diaries, ito lang inaantay ko na may kunting romance keneme eh. Kunting kunti lang kasi, lol. The story sounds sad to me too especially yong part that she was blamed for something na she had no idea about the meaning. Maiinis wari ako if I watch this. Lol
Yes! Nakakainis talaga yung part na yun but that somehow hook me sa simula. And Apothecary Diaries! It's always yung mga subtle romance yung nakakakilig like...tawang-tawa at medg kinilig na ako before nung nabasa ko sa manga yung frog scene, pero nung nakita ko pano siya inadopt sa anime...ay hala ka! Bakit napakakilig...like ahhhhh yung attraction at tension, mas randam ko na ahahhaha ʕꈍvꈍʔ
And about sa exam.. it can wait 𓁹‿𓁹 ʰᵉʰᵉ. Weekend ngayon so susulitin ko na to kahit papano, then cramming na lang sa lunes huhuhu
Rightttt? Yong parang pinapatakam lang ng watcher ba, haha. At tayo naman mas hook na hook, haha. Very good strategy, lol. And ong, I watches that one frog scene, tawang tawa ako pero pilipit ako sa kilig eh, HAHAHA.
Hahaha why relate na relate ako s cramming during my school days hahahaha
Yes, very good strategy talaga! Napakaslow-burn ng romance nila pero talagang nakakakilig >v<... And mas nakakatawa pa dun ay napaka nonchalant lang ni Maomao, while si Jinshi yung parang sasabog sa kilig ahhhhhh
And yes..hindi talaga maiiwasan yang cramming -_-
That's awesome anime review @ridgette 🙂
Aw okay, thanks (•‿•)ﾉ
Hello @ridgette! The Anime Realm team here 😊.
We want to thank you for choosing this community to publish your manga and anime related content.
Don't forget to check the rules and the suggested community guidelines post. Also, always keep in mind the importance of visiting and supporting other users' posts, those will allow us to keep growing as users and as a community.
We hope to see you soon. Greetings!
Haiiii >v<!
The premise of the girl who can't speak but discovers she can sing catches my attention. It sounds like a very original fantasy drama with a touch of magic egg and guilt. It's a shame you say the romance didn't quite win you over in the end and that some parts felt slow. That sometimes takes points away from a good idea. But it's great that you liked the animation and especially the music, and that you appreciate the creative aspect of the talking egg. Great review!
Thanks >v<! The concept of a girl who can't speak because of her guilt and trauma was really interesting, but then it a shame that later on the romance kinda made them off, but nevertheless, I enjoyed some of its scenes tho, so it's not that bad I guess.
I am not into anime but yeah I love how you portray the message.
Thank you -v-.. I'm glad you loved the way I shared this anime.