Right from the beginning of the movie, it is obvious the viewer has discovered something especially heartbreaking and emotionally beautiful. The natural environments, which are vividly colorful, and heighten the impact of the scenes occurring there, contrast with the dull bleakness of the school and hospital rooms the film is primarily centered around. Over the course of the feature, selfishness is an important theme discussed, both visually and through dialogue. Takuma (Masaki Okada) discovers as a young boy that he won't live to see the age of twenty with his current heart-condition, this shocking truth additionally hurting Mayu (Mao Inoue), his closest companion and paramour, who he promises to marry when they are older. Despite the revelation that Takuma's health may restrict him from such a commitment, Mayu's unwavering affection is brilliantly portrayed, though at the same time, Takuma is concerned for the future, and the agony his inevitable passing will bring if she remains close to him.
Takuma's narration assists the audience in comprehending how dear Mayu is to him, and contextualizes the reasons behind why he may eventually choose to leave her. However, despite their characters sharing considerable proximity over the course of the feature, I wondered if the leads were totally aware of each others feelings, and though these are presented visually, this could have been heightened verbally, there being one scene in particular where the leads argue as to whether they unanimously understand one another. It should be noted moreover, for the most part, the dialogue is entertaining and mature, fitting perfectly with the story.
At the same time, Kou (Yoshihiko Hosoda) is unmoved by the fear of being selfish, his arrogantly inconsiderate character, though well portrayed, nefariously affecting the mood of the film, his infatuation with Mayu jeopardizing the relationship between the leads. Though there is reason for his character's repetitive appearance, other individuals in the film with less screen time deserved greater attention. This is especially true for Dr. Takahito (Toru Nakamura), who is an entertaining, yet sympathetic figure, his professional devotion and critical evaluation of himself being well delivered, while the relationship between he and his daughter Mayu potentially needed further attention to accentuate their father-daughter bond. The passing of Mayu's mother before the story begins is barely touched upon, which could have proved a sub-plot capable of heightening Mayu's desire to never be without Takuma.
Moreover, Teru (Natsuki Harada), who, like Takuma, suffers a rapidly declining heart condition, is a character that he is able to relate towards due to their similar circumstances, her role deserving further attention to heighten their prior knowledge of each other (which is only briefly discussed), while additionally fleshing her character out further. Tetta Sugimoto and Yoko Moriguchi as Takuma's father and mother admirably portray parents stricken by grief, who only want the best care for their child, the acting by the cast being potentially one of the film's most brilliant qualities. Though humor is, on occasion, used, a scene where Mayu addresses the entire year level and confesses her love for Takuma being especially comedic, the profound realism exhibited by the melodramatic seriousness of the plot makes the feature feel all the more believable, none of the scenes appearing forced or out of place.
Despite the film containing a romantic narrative, the theme of death is strongly discussed, especially by Takuma, the film addressing the thought-provoking notion on whether death is more difficult than life, or if it's in fact the other way round. Furthermore, the luxury of hope is well included in the story, and despite the ending undoubtedly provoking a teary-eyed response, the film concludes in a manner that efficaciously, beautifully and romantically, closes this particularly touching feature.
