Giovanni’s Island [rating=5]

From Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Kill Bill Vol.1) comes the award winning, Giovanni’s Island. A true never before told WWII story, this dramatic and heart-warming animated film about cross-cultural friendship among children in the aftermath of the war is due to receive its UK premier at the London Film Festival this October.
Giovanni’s Island is an emotional story, very alike to that of Grave of the Fireflies by Studio Ghibli.

The background of this story is set in 1945, shortly after WWII on the island of Shikotan, a tiny island off the northernmost shores of Japan. As Japan surrender on August 15, 1945, the island becomes Soviet Union territory, and for the Japanese community, a new life with the Soviet citizens who have moved onto the island begins.
We follow two young brothers who live on the Shikotan Island, Junpei (aged 10) and Kanta (aged 7). Who were named after the two main characters in the book, Night in the Galactic Rail-road by Kenji Miyazawa. A book their father has them read every night, and is referenced continuously through out the film. Like other young boys their age, they are full of energy and you first meet them as they are climbing up a Puffin nest to get some eggs. It is not long when you see them and their village going to the bomb shelter as air strikes are happening across the water. With the war getting ever closer, it is the Russian troops who land and occupy the island. Soon to follow are their families, who take up residence in the main houses of the locals.

It is a young Russian girl named Tanya, who moves into Junpei and Kantas home. From the common love of trains, the children connect in one night playing with toy tracks running through both houses. From there a friendship is born between the three. Which later is crushed by a misunderstanding as the boys father gets arrested. From there a journey starts, from sea to the mainland, through snow and heartache, and all in the name of seeing their father once more.

This is a really heart warming and aching story, full of beautiful art work and brilliant voice acting. No surprise coming from Production I.G. The bonus features on the DVD version I reviewed had an Art Gallery, a Music Clip, Making of, and a short interview with Tanyas’ Russian voice actress.

Over all this was a great movie and one that I am very happy to add to my collection. I am giving it 5 stars, as I will be watching this many more times in the future.

Giovanni’s Island comes out on Monday, 12th January 2015 by Anime Limited.

About the Author

Thomas Jones

Cartoons were a leading part to my every day life as a child. When I reached about 14 I realised that the cartoons I was actually watching were Anime, and the world of the Otaku was thrust upon me. I like Anime and Manga such as Fullmetal Alchemist, DRRR!!, Bleach, and a lot more.

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