This movie was perplexing and captivating from beginning to end. As someone who has seen all of Studio Ghibli's films, I was left feeling as though this story took great inspiration from the beloved "Cat Returns" movie. The premise of a young, middle school girl, madly obsessed with her crush, will go to any end to make him smile. She would rather ignore the problems of her own life to focus soley on his. As all good coming of age stories go, there are important lessons learned about believing in who you are, and expressing your true emotions, rather than burying them with a smile. There is also a note of appreciation towards the whole of the group; each person in real life is made up of everyone else who has helped make them who they are, and I think this movie pays a beautiful yet subtle tribute to that, reflecting reality through the eyes of an enigmatic adolescent.
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