Anime Reign Magazine | Page 62

www.worldanimeclub.com R egarding the voice acting performances, they all sound as natural as the crafted personas of the characters. And despite having Japanese actors and actresses rather than professional seiyuus, the way Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida and Mitsutaka Itakura (Makoto, Chiaki and Kousuke respectively) enunciated their lines certainly isn’t jarring and provides life to the characters they play. On the whole, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo foregathers the puerility and naivety during our adolescence and recaptures it astoundingly through a brilliant film execution. I have seen this work of magnificent artistry numerous times already, and every moment the flick rolls, it is as though I’m also leaping through time with Makoto to remain in an unchanging chain of youthful mirth. But alas, time continues to wait for no one. Its flow withers all forms of existence. Its unforgiving nature allows us to grasp delights momentarily, but never does it show a flare of sympathy. The movement of its hands is a constant reminder that life is a pulpit for irreversible processes. And ultimately, it is a treasure box of triumphs and mischiefs. Unlike Makoto’s tale, this world’s reality keeps the time travelling concept beyond humanity’s reach, and hence we can only embrace the present and look forward to the future. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo resplendently renders this theme and within a span of an hour and a half, it will surely toss you back to your early days. Page 40 Anime Reign | Issue 2 | 2013