Jun Naruse is a chatterbox whose life is colored by fairy tales and happy endings. However, influenced by her deep belief in those tales, she is too naive and trusting, and her words soon shatter her family's bond when she inadvertently reveals her father's affair. Naruse is scarred for life after being blamed for her parent's divorce, and her regrets soon manifest into a fairy egg—a being who seals her mouth from speaking in order to protect everyone's happy ending.
Now, even in high school, Naruse's speech remains locked by the fairy egg. Even trying to speak causes her stomach to twist. Though unable to convey her thoughts through words, she is unexpectedly chosen to perform in a musical alongside three other students: Takumi Sakagami, Natsuki Nitou, and Daiki Tasaki. Naruse makes her way to the club room to reject the daunting task, but changes her mind when she overhears Sakagami's beautiful singing.
Perhaps the fairy egg "curse" does not apply to singing, and perhaps Sakagami is the fairy tale prince she has been seeking all along. Will Naruse be able to convey the anthem of her heart?
Synopsis: Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda
In a daring and resplendent tapestry of adolescent emotions, Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda (aka ‘The Anthem of the Heart’) unfurls a tale that is as heart-tugging as it is profound. Jun Naruse, our lovable protagonist, is a chatty young girl with a heart full of fantasies which is catapulted into a world of silence when a traumizing incident causes her to believe her words cause disaster. This sets off the wheel of destiny and places upon her a unique ‘curse’ by a seemingly benign ‘Egg Fairy.’ Her ability to speak is confined, and she can only express herself through the words of songs without causing herself unbearable pain.
As time progresses, we witness the uneasy harmony of high-school life; the hustle of the chorus club and the churning storm of feelings in Jun’s heart. In the midst of this, she, together with three other classmates, is hastily pushed into a Community Outreach Committee by their homeroom teacher to work on a regional friendship musical. As they struggle with their personal issues, they come to learn more about each other and themselves, leading to a riveting climax of self-expression, self-realization, and collective growth.
Anime Review: Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda
Directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai of A-1 Pictures, Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda is beyond a mere ‘feel-good’ anime; it is a poignant depiction of emotional growth and self-discovery, a narrative that resonates right down to the soul and stays there, humming its anthem long after the series has ended.
The plotline is courageous, dealing with universal themes like love, friendship and the pain and difficulty of self-expression. It is artistically balanced, oscillating smoothly between moments of high-octane drama, tenderness, and comedic relief. However, unlike many anime in this genre, Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda steers clear of melodrama. It always stays relatable, keeping its characters grounded, fleshy, and importantly, human.
Now, let’s talk about the golden feather in the cap, animation. A-1 Pictures, once more, delivers a visually stunning performance. The animation quality is simply top-notch with beautiful character design and background scenery. Coupled with a magic-infused color palette that perfectly encapsulates the emotional depth and intensity of the story – it’s safe to say that viewers are in for a visually tantalising experience.
On the audio side of things, the ‘voice acting’ is unquestionably exceptional, perfectly capturing the unique nuances of each character, while the phenomenal musical score acts as a rhythmic backbone to the entire narrative. Remember, for an anime that hinges significantly on songs and melodies, the auditory element is crucial – and boy, does Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda deliver!
In conclusion, whether you should rent, buy, or stream it? I say, do all of them. Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda is not an anime to be merely watched and forgotten. It’s an experience that should be savored, revisited, and shared. A tenderly wrapped gift of emotional exploration, self-realization, and growth, Kokoro’s anthem is one that deserves to be sung, again and again. So gather your companions, and wind up the music box, because this is an anime anthem you wouldn’t want to miss!
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
Watch ‘Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda,’ folks, and let your heart sing the anthem of emotions!
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