"Children Who Chase Lost Voices": A moving journey in search of lost voices from the depths

"Children Who Chase Lost Voices": Makoto Shinkai's new adventure

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

May 7, 2011 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Media Factory/Comics Wave Films

■ Eirin Number

118941

■Frequencies

116 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Makoto Shinkai

■ Director

Makoto Shinkai

■ Production

Comix Wave Films

■Works

©Makoto Shinkai/CMMMY

■ Story

One day, Asuna hears a mysterious song coming from a crystal radio that was a keepsake from her father. She cannot forget the song, and meets a boy named Shun who claims to be from the underground world of Agartha. The two connect with each other, but the boy suddenly disappears. Asuna wishes to see him again, and then she is approached by a boy named Shin who looks just like Shun, and Morisaki, a teacher who is searching for Agartha and longs to be reunited with his wife. The door to Agartha opens. With their own feelings in mind, the three set out on a journey to the legendary land.

■Explanation

Four years have passed since the masterpiece "5 Centimeters per Second," which depicted modern youth with beautiful animation. Since his brilliant debut work "Voices of a Distant Star," which revolutionized the digital animation scene, Shinkai Makoto has continued to carefully depict "emotional distance" and has gained tremendous support from young people. A team of cutting-edge staff members have reunited under his wing to take on an adventure story that should be told in the 2010s!

■Cast

Asuna/Hisako Kanemoto
Shun/Miyu Irino
Shin / Miyu Irino
Morisaki/Kazuhiko Inoue
Lisa/Sumi Shimamoto
Mana/Rina Hidaka
Mimi/Junko Takeuchi
Asuna's Mother / Fumiko Orikasa

■ Main staff

・Original Story/Makoto Shinkai ・Screenplay/Makoto Shinkai ・Director/Makoto Shinkai ・Chief Animation Director/Takayo Nishimura ・Character Design/Takayo Nishimura ・Art Director/Tanji Takumi ・Music/Tenmon

■ Main Characters

Asuna is a girl who grew up in the mountains. She lives with her mother, so she is more mature than her age would suggest, but she also feels lonely. After meeting a boy named Shun, she sets off on an adventure.
・Shun/Shin
A boy named Shun and his younger brother Shin meet Asuna. After meeting Asuna and discovering the charm of the world, Shun disappears from her sight. Later, Shin comes to collect the things his brother left behind and meets Asuna.
A Japanese teacher who was appointed to the school where Morisaki Asuna attends. The teacher lost his wife at a young age and has another side to him.

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・Hello Goodbye & Hello
・Singer: Anri Kumaki

The appeal and evaluation of "Children Who Chase Lost Voices"

Makoto Shinkai's "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is a 2011 animated film that captivated fans with its beautiful visuals and profound themes. Makoto Shinkai's story of youth and adventure delves into relationships, loss, and hope through a journey to the underground world of Agartha.

Visuals and Music

Makoto Shinkai's works are known for their beautiful visuals, and "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is no exception. The background art is by Takumi Tanji, and vividly depicts the real world and the fantastical underground world. The scenery of Agartha is particularly impressive with its mysterious and beautiful colors and light. Tenmon's music is also an important element in adding excitement to the story, and the ending theme "Hello Goodbye & Hello" brings the film to a moving finale with the singing of Anri Kumaki.

Story and Themes

The story of "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is about a young girl named Asuna who embarks on an adventure to the underground world of Agartha after hearing a mysterious song from a crystal radio that was a keepsake from her father. This story is not just an adventure tale, but also depicts loss and rebirth, and the depth of human relationships. The story begins when Asuna meets Shun and then he suddenly disappears, and is also a journey of her growth and self-discovery. The past of the loss of Morisaki Sensei's wife and the relationship between Shun and Shin as brothers also add depth to the story.

Makoto Shinkai's theme in this work is "distance of the heart." The sense of distance between Asuna and Shun, Shin, and Morisaki, and the sense of loneliness they all carry, are at the heart of the story. Makoto Shinkai has consistently pursued this theme since his debut work, "Voices of a Distant Star," and this theme continues in "Children Who Chase Lost Voices."

character

Asuna lives with her mother in the mountains, and while she appears more mature than her age suggests, deep down she feels lonely. Meeting Shun changes her life dramatically, and drives her to embark on an adventure. Despite being brothers, Shun and Shin have contrasting personalities, and their relationship is an important element of the story. Teacher Morisaki, despite having lost his wife in the past, accompanies Asuna on her journey and watches over her growth. The human drama woven by these characters enriches the story.

Evaluation and acceptance

"Children Who Chase Lost Voices" was highly praised when it was released. In particular, Makoto Shinkai's visual expression and skillful storytelling were praised. As a work about youth and adventure, it has been popular with young people and a wide range of generations. However, some viewers have commented that the story development is somewhat complicated and difficult to understand. However, this is also part of the unique charm of Makoto Shinkai's work, and it is said that new discoveries can be made by watching it multiple times.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed "Children Who Chase Lost Voices," we recommend other works by Makoto Shinkai. In particular, "5 Centimeters per Second" is a masterpiece that depicts the sadness of youth, and you can feel Makoto Shinkai's style. "Your Name" is Makoto Shinkai's latest work, and it has become a hot topic for its beautiful visuals and moving story. Through these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Makoto Shinkai's worldview.

Other recommended works with themes of underground worlds and adventure include Studio Ghibli's Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away. These works depict worlds where fantasy and reality intersect, and share themes with Children Who Chase Lost Voices.

Conclusion

"Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is a work that embodies Makoto Shinkai's talent, and is appealing for its beautiful visuals and profound themes. This story of youth, adventure, and the depth of human relationships has touched many viewers. By enjoying it together with Makoto Shinkai's other works and related animated films, you will be able to understand his worldview even more deeply. "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" is a memorable work that you will want to watch again and again.