The appeal and reviews of "So Ra No Wo To": A fusion of moving story and beautiful music

"So Ra No Wo To": A story of girls who play out hope despite the scars of war

"So Ra No Wo To" is an original TV anime series that was broadcast in 2010 and was directed by Mamoru Kobe and written by Hiroyuki Yoshino. Set in a world still scarred by war, it tells the heartwarming story of Kanata, a young girl who dreams of playing the trumpet, and the members of her 1121st Platoon. This work was produced as the first part of the joint project "The Power of Anime" by TV Tokyo and Aniplex, and touched many viewers.

story

The story begins with a girl lost in ruins meeting a female soldier with a golden trumpet. The girl mistakenly believes that if she becomes a soldier she will be able to play the trumpet, and is inspired by trumpeters, so she decides to join the military. The girl in question is Kanata Sorami, 15 years old. She is assigned to the 1121st Platoon, a small garrison unit in the town of Cèze. The day Kanata arrives in Cèze is in the middle of the Water Festival, and she gets caught up in the festivities as she begins her new life.

The town of Cèze is a rural town with a thriving glass craft industry, located on the western border of the Helvetic Republic. In a world devastated by a long war, the girls support each other and find hope while carrying out their daily tasks. The sound of Kanata's trumpet becomes a symbol of healing their hearts and hope for the future.

character

The main character, Kanata, is a bright, positive, and curious girl. Dreaming of playing the trumpet, she joined the military as a trainee radio operator. Her perfect pitch is a remarkable talent, but her playing technique is still inexperienced. As Kanata grows, the sound of her trumpet will color the story.

Kanata's senior, Rio, is a 17-year-old radio operator who is tomboyish in her speech but kind at heart. She is strict but warm towards Kanata as his mentor. Kureha is a 14-year-old gunner who is a girl who is rivalrous towards Kanata but also has a sensitive side. Noelle is a 15-year-old mechanic and driver who is quiet and unresponsive but passionate about repairing the multi-legged artillery turret "Takemikazuchi". Felicia is an 18-year-old platoon leader who is tolerant and acts like a good older sister and mother to her platoon members.

Other characters that add excitement to the story include Yumina, a nun at the church, the children at the orphanage, and Shuko, the African screech owl that lives at the base.

Worldview

The world in which "So Ra No Wo To" is set has been devastated by a long war. The girls go about their daily lives in towns where people have disappeared, seas where fish can no longer live, and weapons from long ago that remain. However, even in this world, the sky is filled with light and the sound of metal resonates from somewhere. This worldview depicts the misery of war and the hope of living despite it.

The city of Cèze is modeled on the walled city of Cuenca and the Alarcón Fort in Spain, and the staff carried out location scouting on site in March 2009. Art director Kai Masatoshi and set designer Aoki Tomoyuki used the vast amount of material they were able to gather within a limited schedule to create a unique futuristic world.

Production Staff

"So Ra No Wo To" was produced by a collaboration between director Mamoru Kobe and scriptwriter Hiroyuki Yoshino. Director Mamoru Kobe is known for his sensitive direction in works such as "Comet-san☆" and "Elfen Lied," while scriptwriter Hiroyuki Yoshino is highly regarded as a storyteller who draws viewers in with his skillful composition, as seen in works such as "Mai-HiME" and "Macross F."

The original character designs were done by popular illustrator Kishida Mel, whose characters' translucent appearance became a hot topic. Character design and general animation director was Akai Toshifumi, a promising young talent who was in charge of character design for the first time. The music was written by Oshima Michiru, who is active in a variety of fields including film and commercials, and added to the atmosphere of the work. Animation was produced by A-1 Pictures, who have received high praise for works such as "Big Windup!" and "Kannagi."

cast

The protagonist Kanata is played by Kanemoto Hisako. This was her full-fledged debut. The cast is filled with fresh voice actors, including Kobayashi Yu as the senior soldier Rio, Kitamura Eri as Kureha, Yuki Aoi as Noel, and Endo Aya as Felicia. Other members of the cast include Ono Ryoko, Ishizuka Unsho, Yasogawa Mayuno, Takahashi Mayuko, Hirata Mana, Fukuen Misato, Kyoda Naoko, Sugino Hiroomi, Tomatsu Haruka, Matsuoka Daisuke, Miyahara Emi, Uchida Naoya, Ishimori Tatsuyuki, Matsumoto Dai, Takahashi Kenji, Ueda Kana, and Erika.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Senritsu of Light," was sung by Kalafina, with lyrics, composition, and arrangement by Yuki Kajiura. The ending theme, "Girls, Be Ambitious," was sung by Haruka Tomatsu, with lyrics by Yoshie Isogaya, and composition and arrangement by Kazuhiro Higurashi. These songs enhanced the atmosphere of the story and resonated deeply with the hearts of viewers.

Evaluation and Impressions

"So Ra No Wo To" touched many viewers with its story of girls who play the sound of hope despite the scars of war. In particular, the hope and growth symbolized by the sound of Kanata's trumpet warmed the hearts of viewers. The relationships between the unique characters and the beautiful art and music were also highly praised.

This work depicts the misery of war, but also the strength and hope of the people who rise from it. The daily lives of Kanata and her friends, the difficulties they face, and the way they overcome them deeply moved viewers. In addition, the beauty of the town of Cèze, modeled after a walled city in Spain, and the scenes with the sound of trumpets were soothing both visually and audibly.

Related Titles

There are also spin-offs of "So Ra No Wo To". These stories complement the main story and allow readers to enjoy a deeper view of the world. The comic series was also serialized in ASCII Media Works' monthly Dengeki Daioh magazine, and became a hot topic as a comic magazine that featured many popular stories.

Recommendation

"So Ra No Wo To" is a moving story that has touched many viewers as it tells the story of girls who play the instruments of hope despite the scars of war. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy the hope and growth symbolized by the sound of the trumpet, the relationships between the unique characters, and the beautiful art and music. It is also a must-watch for those who are looking for a story that depicts the horrors of war, but also the strength and hope of the people who rise from it.

This work is full of soothing elements, both visually and aurally, and is sure to leave you feeling warm inside after watching it. We encourage you to experience the world of "So Ra No Wo To" and feel the melody of hope played by the girls.