ANIME TOP TEN (LIST #1) - #8: Now and Then, Here and There (1999)

Director(s): Akitaro Daichi

Screenplay: Hideyuki Kurata

Music: Taku Iwasaki

 

Now and Then, Here and There is an exhausting series. I mean that in a good way, though. It's emotionally exhausting. The themes of war, indoctrination, and perserverance are explored in ways which squeeze everything out of the characters and viewers alike. The indomitable (and sometimes annoying, frankly) optimism of main character Shu (Akemi Okamura) in the face of harrowing odds and painful life lessons is the wellspring of thoughts and emotion pouring out from this show like water from Lala Ru(Kaori Nazuka)'s pendant. Some might label the show as "melodramatic" or "depressing", but the narrative is unapologetic in examining the principals set forth by the creative team. I may not always agree with the positions, but I appreciate the thoughtfullness in which they are examined.