Have you ever dreamed of living in a country where high-tech is commonly used like peanut butter? Or where everyone uses a cell phone as much as wearing underwear? Now you can. With OZ, every cell phone owner is a participant in this virtual reality world and lives a virtual life that’s equally important to your real identity. Because OZ accounts are so seamlessly integrated with your real life tasks, having your OZ account means having your legal authority. Everybody from an officer to a military general performs daily jobs via the world of OZ. In other words, you don’t need a real life. But those aren’t some social issues that educational shows would discuss. Now “Welcome to the world of OZ” and Summer Wars.

Synopsis

The story takes place in the rural town of Ueda in Nagano, where a reputable clan family resides. Seventeen year-old high school senior and math genius Koiso Kenji was invited by his secret crush and senpai Shinohana Natsuki to celebrate her grandmother’s 90th birthday. Traveling long hours to the town of Ueda with Natsuki-senpai, Kenji only discovers that his job is to be Hatsuki’s pretend boyfriend. Surrounded by strangers and overly friendly “relatives,” nervous Kenji finds the situation difficult to handle. The same night, he received a suspicious email that contains nothing but pages of puzzling number sequences. As Kenji’s inner mathematician is challenged by this secret email, he pulled an all-nighter and eventually replied the solution back to its anonymous sender. However without realization, he has already shaken the world.

Animation

The scenes set a soft, soothing tone that suits the overwhelming heat waves of summer well. Extra details are taken into consideration and the background lighting effects are simply amazing and realistic without losing their anime characteristics of colorfulness. Characters take a simple art style without too many pop elements but consistent on-model animation is applaudable.

Don’t remember too many animes that incorporate moving shadows inside of a bus. Minor but considerate details often impress me as they show the producer’s seriousness.

I kept comparing this action/sci-fi movie to Miyazaki’s adventure ones. On Your Mark, Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, they outshine Summer Wars in many ways, like their discreet storyline, delicate animation, and realistic character and plot development. Summer Wars rather goes alone with its modern anime trends, falling love with your senpai, wimpy boy with heroic power, and having an idiotic friend who occasionally saves your life (and the world) to get the story going. But don’t dismiss these contemporary stamps as fads because, although tiring, Summer Wars spices it up really well with a Miyazaki-esque adept animations.

Soundtrack

The score for this movie serves the story well but is rather mediocre. The composer is Akihiko Matsumoto, who I have absolutely never heard of. There isn’t much character innovation and impressiveness flowing out of this creative story. Now I would have probably mixed the soundtracks with a much more electronic taste matching the geeky theme of this movie, but that is just my personal preference. Other than that, I’m no professional composer so I’m not going to be stingy with my good words. The soundtracks are satisfactory, at least they won’t bother you.

Story

My biggest appreciation for Summer Wars is its parallel storyline. The main plot Kenji, Natsuki and King Kazma battling Love Machine is nice, and the ending is expected without surprises. Supporting plots like Kenji’s love for Natsuki, Sanada clan history, and the back story between grandma and Wabisuke unfold nicely and are prevalent in the main storyline. But as you probably have noticed, Ryouhei-niichan’s baseball game, airing the entire time almost 24/7, serves to reflect the mood, tension and plot development of the battle story. It is no coincidence that Ryouhei sweats and loses as huge problems arise in the world of OZ and Shinohana’s family, or becomes cheerful and victorious when everyone is relieved and merry. This clever little side story implements the major events as a whole, and is definitely one of my favorite parts of this movie.

Lastly, you definitely should give this movie a shot. It’s packed with geeky actions, heartwarming family love, amusing Japanese humors from time to time and a truly interesting story featuring a digital world crisis that touched on the real world. Alongside those, the cozy love and support from all around the world will move that tough heart of yours. Whether you love or hate science fiction, slice of life, or senpai love, Summer Wars will not disappoint.

Bluray Unboxing

Saigo no Kuso

Videos games have never been this suspenceful, that three men strong as bull are roaring with hope.

In the world of OZ, card games are no longer card games. Now featuring cards like the dragon ball, shooting off beams of golden lights and swirly clouds, smashing down like a melting piece of gold and scattering beautiful loads of sakura pedals all over the game room.

screaming for asian stereotypes?