Windaria

Windaria is one of the most depressing films I have just about ever seen, but I was moved by it as well.

I really, really like this film despite its small plot holes. The Art and Character designs are just wonderful. If you think that Characters Eyes are too big, then I guess you just don't get it. The soundtrack is outstanding as well.

Some things about Windaria still haunt me today... you'll find yourself doing a lot of thinking after you watch this film. I first saw it back in like 1991, I paid $30 for a copy of it because I thought the box art was good, and the story sounded interesting. I scored big; I must have watched this movie about 10+ times. Fairly recently I was able to get a hold of the original Japanese version Subtitled in English. I was very interesting to finally see the movie as it originally intended. I thought it would answer all my questions. It did answer some, but also created some new ones. The difference between versions is quite interesting. For example, I can remember at least one occasion that dialogue existed in the US version, where the Japanese version was silent. Then of course there is some dialogue in the Japanese version that was changed into something completely different in the US version. I must admit, after watching both versions I think I still like the US version best, probably just because it is what I am used to, and is what I saw first.

This film is a unique Romeo and Juliet style story, but it goes much deeper than that. It is also not just about one couple, but two. Who struggle because of foolish war, seduction, temptation, and decite.

I personally loved this film and give it a 10, as long as you're not anti anime and have an open mind you'll enjoy it as well.

Like a lot of Eighties anime released in the US (Warriors of the Wind, Robotech, Space Warriors, Journey through Fairyland), this one was dubbed "down" to a child's level, with pandering voice acting and low intelligence expectations, in spite of the original's maturity. This isn't to say that Windaria is a particularly extraordinary feature even in the original version--it has pretty good animation, but it seems a little too derivative of Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind (and yet I can imagine Miyazaki laughing at the mystical parts of this movie). That said, the story in the English version, though missing sections important to the plot and character development, isn't so awful as to make it unwatchable. Hell, compared to Lin Minmei's voice on Robotech, this movie is rather pleasant!

although i have only seen the american version, this movie can be described as nothing but beautiful. the animation (particularly for something released in the mid 80s) is lovely, the plot is unique, and the characters are memorable. the tragic endings to two seperate but intertwined love stories bring tears, but overall this movie is wonderful

When American critics and anime fans begin to start searching for other (older) anime to put on a list of classic and important anime films to watch, sooner or later they will find and add "Windaria" on that list.

"Windaria" and Miyazaki's "Nausicaa of the Valley wind" are two of the most beautifully crafted and carefully plotted animated ecological/anti-war movies created in the mid 80's. These two films are both timeless, with beautiful artwork and very memorable characters.

Because the romance between the characters in "Windaria" are so strong, well thought-out, and believable, the characters and their story help draw the viewer completely into the film's beautiful yet tragic tale--it is a finely crafted story about the loss of romance, loss of humanity, and the tragedies of war. It is truly a classic film. (One hopes for a complete, uncut, subtitled version of "Windaria" to be available very soon along with a new, complete, and uncut dubbed version.)

As many people here have commented already, "Windaria" is a gem that may bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend this film. It is a classic film and is certainly worth viewing.

What's not to find here that you would expect in an elaborate tragedy: War, corruption, greed, betrayal... At its core Windaria is about the journey of a boy, ambitious yet unaware of at what cost his ambitions will come to fruition. Buyer beware, true love doesn't conquer all in this, mostly unknown in the west, gem. Quite the contrary, blinded by greed, lust and the desire for self-worth through the admiration of others, love takes a distant fourth place right up until the end when our protagonist repents for his sins and decides that love was all he needed after all. As it stands, it works more of as a cautionary tale.

Full disclosure: I watched it first as a young boy at the age of 8 or 9 and it had quite an impact on me so that years later when I managed to drag it from the collective knowledge of the interwebs, I had no idea whether the actual experience of it would match the memory. In all fairness, it came as close as possible.