If you've completed watching Sora wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai and looking to Tenjou-jin to Akuto-jin Saigo no Tatakai as a source of new footage, then you better turn around, because this movie has absolutely NO NEW FOOTAGE from the ending you see in the series. There was only this brief moment in the ending where they just showed Munto in the human world overlooking the 3 girls and Yumemi notices. It lasts for only 5 seconds, and that's the only difference you'll get, besides the opening. (which sorts of explains why Munto was missing at the end of the series when ... the meeting with the representatives of the Lower World was about to commence)
Like I mentioned, there isn't any difference in terms of animation, storyline, etc, so I'll just give comments on the ending in terms of both the series and the movie. If you skipped the series, the movie would have fitted nicely with the previous two OVA.
Story:
Conflicts between two different types of people have always been the basis for war, and Munto is no different. The way they set their stages in determining the rights of each party is somewhat shaky. Those who can't use the power but uses it in the form of external energy have to compete with those who grow and internalise them. Take Akuto as electricity. If you had a group of people in the world who lives based on the consumption of that energy, they'll 'definitely' use it up more. But what these Heavenly people fail to understand is that eliminating those who posses these powers is only a temporary solution.
Then we move on to when a very 'unreasonable' and 'clique' solution. A girl from the other world is the 'chosen one' with no connections of whatsoever with the world above besides her ability to see them. She contains powers beyond her imagination and ya-dah ya-dah, by simply the touch of a human and a Heavenly being, an establishment has been restored.
As for this movie that carries onto the conflict of now 'too much power' instead, it felt like as if the producers were just piling up content for the sake of continuing. This is taken from a perspective if you're the type who accepts that after both world have taken a stand, each world will live as their own, but no. Interconnecting the two worlds is what is seem as the solution, which I thought was surprising, because then that wouldnt make the girl any special anymore since now others can see it, but hey, at least people will see her as sane now.
Segments that built now preparing one's mental state to conquer the beliefs of the heart were appropriate. At some points, the show achieves the notion of show-not-tell and does it so that the viewers may interpret to their own desires.
I thought the scene when Munto narrates the Heavens past was too heavy. But the storyline of their past was a bit dull in explaining more of the existence of Akuto. It was just there to give a further clarification as to why transfer of Akuto to both worlds is necessary.
Art
I was initially appalled that the animations during the first OVA. The third definitely brought along HD quality, and the effects that brought fighting sequences and fluid movements alive just made them more radiant. I fell in love with the way Gass' marks revolved and the way his powers strikes out; simply amazing! If only they were slightly more colourful than all black, because then we could have a seen a more intricate circle. But even so, black has always had this association to dark magic, so it was a good mix of animation when he strikes.
Munto's fights are really a treat to watch. It's rare to see that much impact in some of the battles today. When you see Munto doing it, you can really feel that he has that ability to release that high intensity of magic, but when you see shows like Katekyo Hitman Reborn, their flames don't bring much justice to the impact that they give.
In terms of character design, it takes some time to get used to their high chests and long legs. They also really make sure that they have a 'pretty boy' in every category; king, commander of the army, average school boy (delinquent), etc, but for girls, Yumemi is the only striking one as compared to the rest.
Sound
I thought the sound blended adequately. Times when I thought background music could have brought out more emotions, left the scene in silence, and it makes the situation a drag at times.
The opening and ending gives a really nice calming feel and that is what the show has achieved in synchronising. It sets the bar in what you're supposed to feel, and it radiates through the entire series, and it gives you that warm fluffy feeling at the end. That I can give much credit for.
Character
Before I start on this, I'd just like to say, GOSH, I WISH MUNTO AND YUMEMI GOT TOGETHER!!! Ahem, ahem, anyway.
Munto came off initially as a demanding character; one who feels that he has the right to everything and is expected to feel all high and mighty. His character improves further with the second ova, as he is shown that despite the need for Yumemi again, he is more reluctant now as he is afraid that she was too fragile to contain the burden. In the third, the viewers are given a more sympathetic view towards Munto. This is when we finally understand his full past and the reason he acts so rash in the first two. Then upon meeting Yumemi, he opens up and we see a mended heart. I thought that lil joke that he made with the girls at the end was enlightening because it shows that even he can have a fun side.
For Yumemi, I can understand how she feels like being pursued by a stranger who keeps on telling you to give him something you're not sure you have, so her actions, even though they portray her as a weak character, it is believable. How was she to cope with all the stress she receives when the only person she could really turn to to talk is so far away? The trigger point was really when she had to accept her responsibility, then that was when she told herself that she'll do what she believes in and not to look away at the other possibilities. Definitely, she is one of the few characters that have grown.
I'll give short reviews on others. Ichiko is really a good friend, but her methods were of a different justice. To her it was okay to retreat; indeed in some cases running away would be wise, but Ichiko lacks sympathy and empathy to truly advice Yumemi. Honestly, she's my least favourite of the show.
Susume is a mystery. She's the kind of person who says the strangest of things, but most of the time, they're the most heart-warming ones. I really envy her optimism (and boy, is she really lucky to have Kazuya for her boyfriend).
Gass was looked as a respected figure. He held onto his beliefs despite knowing the cost and was often shown as a character who was ready to lend a hand in need. He is one of those characters that will leave a mark in the story other than your main characters because he had a huge step in the entire process.
Enjoyment
Yes, I enjoyed the series. Storyline was a bit annoying at times because they were vague and too heavy on words, but I liked the way their 'unexpected' romance blossomed even though the show never set it in hard stone. There were moments which I thought were pretty irrelevant, like the time, Yumemi and her friends were about to head to Munto, but were stopped by people and they continued to interact, make light jokes, ate heartily when at the back of your mind, you're like, "YOO HOO! THE LATER TO GO TO MUNTO, THE LONGER HE SUFFERS!!!" kind-of-thing. The show has a few of these irritating moments.
Overall
Pleasingly good. You won't be disappointed with fight scenes, you'll come to love Munto and Yumemi as a couple, but you'll have to brace yourself to the clique storyline.
Alternative Titles Synonyms: Munto Movie, Munto Finale, Last War of Heavenloids and Akutoloids, Sora wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai Movie Japanese: 天上人とアクト人最後の戦い Information Type: Movie Episodes: 1 Status: Finished Airing Aired: Apr 18, 2009 Producers: None found, add some Licensors: None found, add some Studios: Kyoto Animation Source: Original Theme: Super Power Duration: 1 hr. 30 min. Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older Statistics Score: 7.091 (scored by 2,680 users) 1 indicates a . Ranked: #41792 2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded. Popularity: #6955 Members: 8,283 Favorites: 9 Available AtResources |
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