Fireworks
2017 · Directed by Nobuyuki Takeuchi, Akiyuki Shinbo
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- romance
- fantasy
- drama
The story
Moshimo, Japan. The annual fireworks festival is about to take place and a group of schoolboys, arguing over whether they are round or flat when viewed from different angles, set out to find it out.
What it’s like
Bright summer color and playful, stylized animation, with bold saturated skies, glowing sea and lighthouse light, and the warm haze of a town before its festival. The camera moves briskly, cutting between wide shots of the coast and close, bouncing views of schoolboys on bicycles and trains, with the occasional dreamy stillness when the supernatural rules bend. The score is buoyant and melodic, with soft pops of percussion and quieter swells that leave room for the wind and surf. The vibe is wistful and gently whimsical, a nostalgic summer mood with a hint of melancholy underneath. It suits a lazy afternoon, a sunny weekend, or a comfort watch on a warm evening. Pacing is lively but unhurried, and the emotional arc follows a group of young friends learning to hold onto a fleeting season. Violence is absent; the tension is mild and emotional, with no gore or cruelty. It is for viewers who want an uplifting, romantic coming-of-age story with a touch of fantasy.
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