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Voices of a Distant Star Directors: Makoto Shinkai, Steven Foster Number of Items: 1 Format: Animated, Color Running Time: 30 minutes Studio: A.D. Vision Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-06-10 Buy from Amazon

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 69 Average rating: 4.0 "One the most touching 30 minute work of art" Hi folks, I usually don't write reviews unless I like the anime DVD or series. ... on the work of art even though it was low budgeted and done by one man with the help of a few others like his wire. It is a touching romantic story of two high school separated by space. The boy fails the Earth Defense exam and loses his chance to go with the first expedition force to take the war to the aliens who destroyed their colonies on Mars. However, she passes and is sent out with the expedition. It is so touching because though separated by space and time, their love continues. The only way to communicate their love is by phone messages/e-mail yet because it only travels at the speed of light, at first, it would take weeks, then months, and then years for him to receive her messages of love. For those who are science buffs or taken basic geography like I did, you know that as you travel outside our solar system towards the middle of the universe, time seems to stay the same but from our perception, it actually speeds up. Or to be more technical, as you get closer to the middle of the universe, it is older and your existence of time which is based on our galaxy, slows down especially when you have to travel hyper speed (faster than the speed of light) so what maybe a year on Earth would be an hour of your life in space (when going farther from Earth). The movie points this concept out in the movie as the girl travels further from Earth, her boyfriend gets older and she stays young, which enhances the drama and enhance the messages of love. For the technical parts, the DVD has great music. There aren't many lyrics or no lyrics to the music but it really reflects the personality and the emotion of the movie. For those who aren't familiar with Japanese anime, some of the scenes may be one panel and the movement is made as the camera moves along the panel, changing the perspective view of the viewers. In the movie, it is well done. It maybe only 30 minute movie but it is very deep and concise and the bonus is great too. There is another little except that doesn't really have to do with the movie but it is very touching as it focuses on a girl and her cat in different time lengths(you'll see if you buy the dvd). The graphics are beautiful especially the background details. However, the characters are simply drawn and not detailed but the scenery and music makes up for it. Overall, I'd recommend this DVD for those who appreciate anime in terms of the art, story concepts, scenery, and romantic drama story. For those who just want entertainment, comedy, or just watch anime for fun, this is not for you. "Warning! This DVD is flawed!" The feature is great! No question! But currently I can't recommend this DVD for purchase. As I discovered in a newsgroup there are several problem with this release. The most important one: The soundtrack featuring the director and his wife is MISSING! It was checked by several people. There are two sound version on this disc, but there are actually the same! So if you plan to purchase this disc, please remember that you probably won't get what you expected. I hope there will be a replacement coming very soon. "Let this rejuvenate ANIME!" So much anime is dull, and over used plots and ideas. Many are just ways to joke about sex and look at cartoons in swim suits (pathetic). And then there is anime like Voices of a Distant Star. Also called Hoshi no Koe in Japanese this is an incredible anime. An amzing adventure, while short, will leave you breathless. More character depth than almost any other anime out their. This should be what people watch and compare other animes to. Now the most amazing fact: This enitre movie was animated, and computer graphics and colorized, and scripted by one man. Not a whole team of "pros" just one man and one Power Macintosh G4 400. The best version is to watch him and his wife do the voices(with subtitles),they get so passionate towards eachother it is amazing. I've read that this version will be inclueded on the DVD I can't wait to watch this movie with correct subtitles! The music was fantastic, I hope they release the soundtrack for America as well. Everything in this Anime flows like nothing you've ever seen, an emotional journey, breathtaking and lovey, I hope other Animes learn from Makoto Shinkai. For those of you wondering how I saw this, an american version has been released already. It has very poor sub titles and no english voices. I wouldn't recomend it, since in 10 days the offical american version will be released. I wish there was an extra star to give to movies like this, also if you enjoy this Anime stay alert, Makoto is working on his next anime...Andrew "DUMBSTRUCK!" While watching this short anime movie, I was dumbstruck by its beauty and attention to detail, its vibrant colors, lense effects and flowing animation... it is one of the most beautiful animes I've ever seen. The story is top-notch; a love story set against an unusually good sci-fi backdrop. I'm still at a loss for words on how good this anime is... However, when I went online to see if there were other 'episodes' to continue the series, I found out that ONE MAN had done EVERYTHING on the anime ALL BY HIMSELF. I feel humbled and (again) dumbstruck. Had this been a longer epic, it would be one of the best in the history of anime - EASILY on par with Evangelion and the likes. I can only hope that there is more story to tell... Please support this man's efforts by buying this INCREDIBLE work.