Brave Story

What can I say?

Starts off fine and dandy, the usual story, a BRAVE STORY! Downtrodden hero got some family problems make him want to run and hide and make things better. Kid meets kid, second kid has some problems too and a way of making things better. Cue the fantasy world! Real world is tough, fantasy world is tough too but there you have a goal, a reason for being, people to help, quests to fulfill and dark demons to vanquish. Same old same old but done well enough.

BUT

What were they thinking with the end of this film? What message are they trying to give? Where were they coming from? I was left dumbfounded! My mental ability is not something I brag about so it's possible there are people other than the writers who have a clue about this finale.

On TV they showed people leaving the cinema crying after watching this, I think I know why!

There is another world out there which nobody wants to talk about but only the bravest can access it! Life can be really hard on people, let alone children but this movie will teach you, in perfect harmony with Japanese philosophy and beliefs, that nothing in this life happens by chance. If you are brave enough to discover more about yourself, don't miss out on this masterpiece. Bravo!

When eleven-year-old Wataru is told he can change his destiny by entering a magic gateway into another world, he jumps at the chance. But on his quest to find the Tower of Fortune and be granted any wish, he must conjure up all his bravery to battle a world of demons, his own friends and ultimately himself.

The animation was good as well as the art style.

The voice acting was also good, though I would've given Wataru and Mitsuri two separate actress in the dub.

The character of Wataru was as interesting as a board of cardboard and a complete knock off of ash and the protagonist of ni kun.

It's alright for an occasion if you are bored otherwise best to find something else.

Very enjoyable characters, a great fantasy/adventure story, beautiful animation, talented voice actors (Matsu Takako doing the voice for Wataru was the highlight for me), and everything's topped off with an extremely touching ending.

Brave Story's elements are similar to Miyazaki's Spirited Away - you have an alternate world with fantasy creatures, and a child on a save-the-parents mission. And like the anime film Mind Game, there's an overall message to "Seize the day, take charge of your life" and it's very convincing.

What puts this on a level above the already excellent Spirited Away for me is that the ending isn't as cut and dry as saving the parents. It's a more in-your-face ending that made me do a double-take. Kids are really wonderful, and I often forget that. Brave Story reminds me what children are capable of if you give them a long enough leash and stand behind them.

The best movie I've seen in 2006!

An ordinary boy who enters fantasy world by circumstance to get the chance of reviving his family back to normal but encounters a lot of troubles along the way, meet new friends, chance to change destiny.

The travel and view is good but something tells me I want more. The background audio is nearly perfect, in timing and class.

Story about friendship, bravery, trust, and greed. Maybe related to HunterXHunter but that anime has too much action and brutality compared to this.

All in all you can't imagine how a little boy risks all his life for a dream family he wanted. Very good and well thought.

9/10 for me... For family and all genre.