Skye Hoshi: Anime Girl

During a 14-hour flight, I decided to break away from Hollywood's usual fare. After back-to-back viewings of The Pursuit of Happyness and The Founder, I realized way many mainstream films follow the same formulaic patterns. Determined to find something truly unique, I came across Skye Hoshi. The intriguing cover art and description immediately caught my eye, and after watching the trailer, I decided to give it a chance. While I wouldn't describe myself as an anime enthusiast, I approached it with an open mind.

To my delight, Skye Hoshi delivered a refreshingly original story with excellent pacing that held my attention from start to finish. The film had a distinctive charm, occasionally evoking a Scott Pilgrim vs. The World vibe. Skye reminded me of Ramona Flowers, and the bands brought back similar energy. At times, it also called to mind The Secret Lives of Dorks, particularly in how it creatively wove elements of comic book culture into the narrative.

The ending was a pleasant surprise, tying up loose ends and rewarding the audience with clever callbacks and well-placed foreshadowing. The writing was genuinely sharp, with moments of humor that felt natural. The characters had depth, with strong arcs that made them memorable and relatable. Skye, in particular, stood out - sweet, (mostly) innocent, and utterly endearing. I couldn't help but wish for my own "Skye Hoshi" by the end.

Once I returned home, I ended up purchasing the Blu-ray to support this indie studio & rewatch the film at home. The music has since made its way onto my playlists, and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. Kudos to the writers and producers for crafting such a standout indie film - I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

I love this character driven film. First of course, Skye Hoshi herself is such a fun character. A girl who falls out of her poster and becomes real. It's interesting seeing how the anime character does in our real world. And Adam is so funny and yet makes a great romance character for Skye, and then the comic book store owner has me in stitches, and I really love the nerdy guy who knows everything about time travel and anime, he reminds me of some of my real-life friends. This movie has a lot of heart to it, more heart than you would expect from a light hearted fun movie like this. I can't wait for the sequel!

Some times films of this type can simply feel like a pastiche or limited in they're presentation but Sky Hoshi avoids that. Whether it's the sharp direction, nicely paced script or the all-too relatable characters (Yes, even Sky Hoshi herself), Sky Hoshi manages to conjure a new form of the feel-good/mom and pop magic that Pure Magic Pictures seems to have formulated. Most importantly, it's accessible to everyone. You don't have to be an anime fan - diehard or otherwise - to enjoy it.

Like Plunder Quest and Lily Darling before it (Pure Magic Pictures previous films), Sky Hoshi both simultaneously feels of its time and something that could fit neatly next to films like Back to the Future or other 80s movies.

Skye Hoshi features an outrageously fun plot and a talented cast. I wasn't sure what to expect with this film but ended up really enjoying it. The actors were all very well suited for their roles, and the character acting was on point at all times. Kira, Marvin, and Mr. Mario all shined bright as supporting cast, and Skye and Atom kept the improbable plot rolling smooth and believably with their dedication to the characters.

I think I will have to check out the others films by Pure Magic Pictures. They obviously put their heart and soul into this film.

I am looking forward to seeing the sequel, and dare I hope the trilogy?

Upon watching Skye Hoshi, it doesn't take long to recognize that this movie is a labor of love. The directors, producers, cast and crew have clearly put their heart and soul not only into the memorable and endearing characters, but into the story and into fandom culture itself. The acting is great, the music is top notch, the premise is original and captivating, and the film celebrates its audience rather than talking down to it. Skye Hoshi: Anime Girl has all the ingredients to build a passionate fanbase. You owe it to yourself to check out this fun, emotional, funny, exciting example of a movie that's a welcoming love letter to its audience.