The appeal and reviews of "Kutsutsukiboshi": A fusion of a moving story and beautiful images

Kuttsukiboshi - Kuttsukiboshi - Comprehensive evaluation and recommendation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

August 16, 2010 #1/Part 1 (August 16, 2010)
・#2/Part 2 (2012/05/11)

■Release and sales

・Sold by Primasteer Co., Ltd.

■Frequencies

25 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 2

■Original Story

Naoya Ishikawa

■ Director

Naoya Ishikawa

■ Production

Produced by Prima Star Animation Production by Naoya Ishikawa

■Works

©Naoya Ishikawa/PRIMASTEA

■Explanation

This is the third video work from Primastar, the creators of the hit anime "Training Together." It is a personal anime by anime creator Ishikawa Naoya, who is also known for the surreal comedy anime "Both Maids" that was streamed online. It depicts the slightly dangerous summer vacation that two high school girls, Kiko and Aya, spend together.

*Quoted from Amazon

■Cast

・Kiko Kawakami/Asami Imai ・Aya Saito/Miku Isshiki ・Kota Saito/Naoki Koshida

■ Main staff

・Director, scriptwriter, animation production: Naoya Ishikawa ・Music: Shunsuke Morita ・Sound effects: Kiyotaka Kawata ・Sound production: Takuma Takai of Dax Productions ・Sound recording: Three S Studio, STUDIO T&T, Stardust Studio ・Producer: Munesada Nakagawa ・Production: Prima Star

■ Main Characters

・Kiko Kawakami (Kiko)
17 years old. Second year high school student. He has a mysterious power that allows him to move things slightly away. Sometimes he can't stop fantasizing.
・Aya Saito (Aya)
16 years old. Second year high school student. Kiko's classmate who transferred in the spring. Excellent grades, likes strange things, and has a slightly forceful personality.

■Subtitle

・#1／Part 1 (2010/08/16)
・#2/Part 2 (2012/05/11)

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・Period/1
・First Love Acceleration Space ・Lyrics by Naoya Ishikawa ・Music by Shunsuke Morita ・Singer by Kiko Kawakami (Asami Imai)

・ED2
・Period/2
・71% of me
Lyrics by Naoya Ishikawa, Music by Shunsuke Morita, Singer by ikumi

Detailed evaluation of Kuttsukiboshi - Kuttsukiboshi

"Kutsutsukiboshi" is an OVA directed by Ishikawa Naoya, with the first part released on August 16, 2010, and the second part released on May 11, 2012. This work, like Prima Star's other works "Issho ni Toreeningu" and "Dotchmo Maid", is filled with Ishikawa Naoya's unique sensibility. In the short two episodes, each 25 minutes long, it depicts deep human relationships and the fluctuations of emotions.

Story and Themes

"Kutsutsukiboshi" is a story about two high school girls, Kiko and Aya, during their summer vacation. Kiko has a mysterious power that allows her to move things that are a little far away. Aya becomes interested in her power, and the two of them build a close relationship. The story revolves around the two's emotions that waver between friendship and love. The process of how their relationship changes during the special time of summer vacation is carefully depicted.

The themes include the line between friendship and love, the uncertainty of adolescence, and self-discovery. In particular, Kiko's mysterious power symbolizes her own inner uncertainty, and the story explores how it affects her life throughout the story. Aya's assertive personality is contrasted with Kiko's introverted personality, and the relationship between the two is explored in depth.

character

Kiko (Kawakami Kiiko) is a 17-year-old high school sophomore who has a mysterious power that allows her to move things that are a little far away. She is an introverted character who is often pulled along by her own delusions. This power symbolizes her unstable inner self, and how she confronts it is a key point in the story. Asami Imai's voice acting skillfully expresses Kiko's delicate emotions, evoking deep empathy from the viewer.

Aaya (Saito Aya) is a 16-year-old second-year high school student who transferred to Kiko's school in the spring. A high-achieving student with a penchant for mysterious things, she is intrigued by Kiko's powers and actively engages with her. Her assertive personality contrasts with Kiko's introverted personality, further drawing out the relationship between the two. Miku Isshiki's voice acting skillfully expresses Aaya's liveliness and curiosity, adding vitality to the story.

Another important character is Kiko's older brother, Kota (Saito Kota). He understands Kiko's powers and is portrayed as someone who supports her. Naoki Koshida's voice acting skillfully expresses Kota's kindness and understanding, adding depth to the story.

Animation and Art

"Kutsutsukiboshi" is a personal anime created by Naoya Ishikawa, and is characterized by its unique art and animation. The background and character designs are simple, yet express the emotions well. In particular, the summer landscapes and night scenes are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story.

The animation has a modern feel while still retaining the warmth of hand-drawn animation. In the scene where Kiko's mysterious power is activated, special effects are used effectively, creating a visual impact. In addition, the camerawork and colors are used skillfully to express the emotional fluctuations of the two characters, creating a visually beautiful experience.

Music and Sound

The music was composed by Shunsuke Morita and plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the ending themes "First Love Accelerated Space" and "My 71%" are beautiful songs that reflect the theme of the story. "First Love Accelerated Space" is a song that expresses Kiko's emotional fluctuations, and Asami Imai's singing voice adds depth to the story. "My 71%" is a song told from Aya's perspective, and Ikumi's singing voice enhances the emotion of the story.

The sound effects were handled by Kiyotaka Kawada, and play an important role in enhancing the realism of the story. In particular, sound effects are used effectively in the scenes where Kiko's mysterious powers are activated, enhancing the visual impact. Additionally, the sound production by Takuma Takai of Dax Production is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. Recording was handled by Three S Studio, STUDIO T&T, and Stardust Studio, bringing out the best in the voice actors' performances.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kutsutsukiboshi" is a work filled with Naoya Ishikawa's unique sensibility, depicting deep human relationships and emotional fluctuations in a short space of time. In particular, the relationship between Kiko and Aya, and Kiko's mysterious powers add depth to the story. In addition, the beautiful animation, music, and voice acting add excitement to the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

This work is about the boundary between friendship and love, the uncertainty of youth, and self-discovery, and is recommended for viewers who can empathize with the emotions of adolescence. It is also recommended for those who like Naoya Ishikawa's other works and those looking for an anime with a unique sensibility. In the short two-episode series, you will be able to enjoy deep emotions and beautiful images.

Related works and recommendations

If you enjoyed "Kutsutsukiboshi," we also recommend the following related works:

1. Training together

Also produced by Prima Star, this comedy anime is full of Naoya Ishikawa's unique sensibility. You can enjoy surreal humor and a unique worldview.

2. Both are maids

This is a surreal comedy anime distributed online, a personal production by Naoya Ishikawa. You can enjoy the unique humor and charm of the characters.

3. The Light and Shadow of Youth

It is a work that depicts the emotions of adolescence, and deals with themes such as the boundary between friendship and love, and self-discovery. Like "Kutsutsukiboshi," it depicts deep human relationships and the turmoil of emotions.

4. End of Summer Symphony

Set during summer vacation, the film explores the themes of youth uncertainty and self-discovery, and is enhanced by beautiful animation and music.

Conclusion

"Kuttsukiboshi" is a work filled with Naoya Ishikawa's unique sensibility, depicting deep human relationships and emotional fluctuations. In particular, the relationship between Kiko and Aya and Kiko's mysterious powers add depth to the story. In addition, the beautiful animation, music, and voice acting add excitement to the story, making it a work that is visually and aurally satisfying. It is recommended for viewers who can empathize with the emotions of adolescence, those who like Naoya Ishikawa's other works, and those looking for an anime with a unique sensibility. In the short time of only two episodes, you will be able to enjoy deep emotions and beautiful images.