The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

This movie is a gem for many Japanese, especially those over 50. It was an enormous hit on its release in 1983, and the leading actress Tomoyo Harada, who was only 15 at the time, became a national heroine. This film is so much more than a cheesy sci-fi flick with outdated special effects. It captures a glittering and often bitter time of youth with such delicacy and subtleness. It is also a cruel tale of a girl who falls for the wrong guy. They share a love so supreme that after losing it, a void opens up in her life.

The whole movie is reminiscent of the Showa era with nostalgic sceneries of Onomichi (Tokyo Story by the great Yasujiro Ozu was also filmed in this historic town of Hiroshima). I still listen to the beautiful soundtrack which for me is a true classic.

For admirers of House, Obayashi's debut, which remains popular amongst western audiences, this film is worth watching. It might not work for everyone, but it is so redolent of my teenage memories that, like the rest of its avid Japanese fans, it will always have a special place in my heart.

I have to admit upfront: I can't stand Yasutaka Tsutsui, the original author. His novels are dripping with cynicism and malice toward humanity, with betrayal lurking around every corner. He writes as if he himself were made of spite.

But-setting that aside-this film adaptation is the polar opposite. It's a refreshingly pure, youthful, heart-throbbing adventure. And yes, Tomoyo Harada is irresistibly cute here-truly a "moe" moment in the history of Japanese cinema.

There's a universal truth captured in this film: girls often act cold or stay silent around the boys they secretly like. Yet when that boy faces danger, her true feelings surface. The climax crystallizes that emotion perfectly-it's a romantic punch to the gut. This is how you write an otome-style adventure, full stop.

Harada herself became the prototype for the modern Japanese idol. And this debut remains her most charming and timeless work.

Culturally, the film's influence is enormous. Japan's obsession with time-loop narratives owes much to this movie. Countless anime and films followed in its wake. Even when compared to Mamoru Hosoda's internationally acclaimed 2006 anime adaptation, I still find myself torn-this 1983 version has a raw, delicate magic that can't be replicated.

This movie moves often at a languid pace, but I recommend it because it does tell a decent story about Kazuko (Tomoyo Harada), a 16 year old schoolgirl who finds herself in a strange time warp after fainting in a chemical lab at school. She has two friends, but it seems to be Fukamachi (Ryoichi Takayanagi) whom she likes. Pay attention from the beginning and you'll get the gist of the film, which has a sweetness that is genuine. I'm sure if you're a teen you'll like this more, as it is about the awakening of love. Tomoyo Harada, who has gone on to a fairly interesting career as an actress, is very good in this role. In a small role is legend Takako Irie, in what had to be her last appearance in film. The reason it is not rated higher is the slow pace, but I like its sentiment and its simple message of first love. I'm sure there were tears shed by many watching the film due to its sentimentality, but its not a sad film. Very good cinematography. If you like drama, you'll like this.

I quite loved parts of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, with the final act being the most engaging and also the most emotional. Nobuhiko Ôbayashi doesn't go quite as crazy as usual, outside a few sequences that really stand out all the more because the rest of the film's relatively normal. I quite like how with Ôbayashi, his style's always there, but you're never quite sure how dialed up or in your face it's going to be, and that balance of predictability and unpredictability makes seeing a film of his for the first time always exciting. On the topic of his films, I don't think The Little Girl Who Conquered Time is quite one of his best, but it is very good, and it's easy to recommend to anyone who's enjoyed something the filmmaker's made before.

Kazuko Yoshiyama (Tomoyo Harada) is just an average, though cute and perky, high school student in the picturesque old town of Onomichi. But one day while cleaning the science room she hears a noise. She investigates and becomes overcome by fumes that smell like lavender. After waking up in the nurse's room, she feels well enough to go home, walking with neighbor (Toshinori Omi) and passing by his grandparents (Ken Uehara and Takako Irie). The next day is Saturday, but being 1983 she still has to go to school. The day after that is Saturday, too, and she goes through the same routine. Then after that is Saturday, and she tries to find some way to break out of that. Unlike Bill Murray, she succeeds, but goes off into several other periods at a rapid pace. Somehow things get resolved between her and her neighbor and also the tall guy she likes (Takayanagi). This is a Junya Kadogawa production, showcasing new idol Harada (who grew up nicely to play the wife in Shiawase no Pan). He chose the popular fantasy novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui, which had been filmed before and since. And he assembled some good talent, including old-time film stars Uehara and Irie, along with director Nobuhiko Obayashi (House). It's a quality production, but still the acting is a little off, as would be expected from a first-timer like Harada. She does have good screen presence, though. And with an intriguing story and director Obayashi's favorite backdrop of Onomichi, it's a better example of the Japanese idol teen flick.