This film boasts some very good quality animation and the soundtrack is pretty good but the story is incredibly dull and boring. It might have worked better if it was made into a 45 minute OVA rather than this 105 minute snorefest.

That I watched only because my favourite musician/artist of all times (Origa A.K.A. Olga Vitalev'na Yakolevka) sang a MASTERFUL song for the OST of this movie called Kurano Sonste (Red Sun). Too bad such song is completely underutilized in this movie, a throwaway for five minutes of nothing which strikes in comparison to its epicness. Other than that, hacky writing and hacky animation make of this a complete drag. Don't bother, believe me. Don't bother at all. Stick to youtube for hearing Kurano Sonste and you'll be better served.

Amazing art style, very ghibli-like, and also miyazaki-like in terms of story and metaphors. The director and producer have worked with Hayao Miyazaki and I'm sure many others in the team have.

Definitely "swept under the rug". This film is a hidden gem. One that is up there with the ghibli giants.

For most viewers these days it could be hard to get through this film due to the slow pacing (yet your attention/curiosity is maintained!),not much music used, not your crisp 2K resolution HD video production like Ponyo, The Wind Rises, etc.(; this is more like older Ghibli movies and 'shows'... because it is 2001! not 2020!) The animation and its techniques are great, "ghibli" backgrounds are great. Doesn't have that Joe Hisashi music touch, but is great as it is; it's quiet moments aren't dull.

I hope people spread this film, as the message is important perhaps more so now than ever.

A magical film.