Tamako Love Story

Do you ever get that choked, somehow disappointed feeling when you finish a great show or movie? A void that lingers in your mind, trying to piece together everything you just watched? Perhaps you lean back in your chair, comfortable and content at a good ending, ready to move on to the next one. Or, like me, you curl up in your bed or floor, both incredibly happy but sad at the same time, thoughts racing through the mind. For many, this feeling is a prevalent and very real emotion, but one that is strangely awkward to place a label on. We can't quite stick ... our fingers on it, and say for certain, "Yep, this particular emotion is what is causing this." For in reality, it is a whole mixture of things, different feelings that have built to create this... suffocation of the mind.

When characters become so endearing and the story becomes so interesting, it's difficult to let go of preconceptions and selfish desires. Desires to, for a lack of a better word, fill in the gap for the future of the beloved characters. To want to know more, more about the new world that they have entered through their actions in this movie. How they will grow, how they will learn to cope with difficulties, together. We don't want to be left out of their future adventures, and that is one of the great hallmarks of a truly great show or movie. To leave an impression, and change the viewer's mindset on whatever it may be. And while some may argue that this movie did in fact have an excellent ending that finalizes all things past and present, I differ slightly.

It is because it has such a great ending that, paradoxically, it does not.

It keeps the future in a haze (although some may argue that the future is clear and defined).
It leaves more questions than it answers (although some may argue that all questions have been laid to rest and satisfactorily answered).

It selfishly ends itself on a high note, with a cinematic and unquestionable "thud". It tells the audience that all is well, and yet sneaks in the false feelings of anticipation and hope. It dramatically and slowly closes its doors on that beloved story with a smile, leaving the rest of the character's lives up to the imagination of the viewer. Are the viewers to be left happy in the dark, when the play has finished, when the actors and actresses have bowed to the audience, the curtains lowered and the lights dimmed? And in a ironic and unexpectedly cruel twist, one may find that it may have been "better" to end the story ambiguously.

Opinion is not the greatest tool of measurement, that much is clear. The opinions of the viewer cannot change what has already happened. All that we can do is reflect on the past and look forward to the future. And the process of moving on is perhaps the most difficult part of watching any show or movie.

Before you're losing your head about my overall score, I'm using 5 as a middle ground. Means, everything above 5 can be considered as 'good', Okay? Got it? Lets get to it:

Tamako Love Story, I heard it several times before it even premiered. And even read a 'translated' interview with Yamada (the director) about what could we expect in this new movie. Basically, she said that this is still about 'everybody loves somebody' as a central theme. And now, we're focusing more on Tamako and that she loves somebody.

Well..., yes it is. Except that it didn't really fulfill (my) expectation. So, before you're expecting anything ... 'romance' be prepared to be disappointed. Because, its not romance at all. It did fulfill Yamada's word in a very strict manner. That Tamako loves somebody. Why its not romance? Because there is barely any romantic interaction at all. Heck we don't even get a nice exposition on their basic intimate interaction. Say, two of them spending time talking something private in somewhat believable way? Nope! none of that! Well, we did have both of them stepping outside of status quo. But thats it! its like you're just walking into The Last Boss throne room in an RPG game only to find that there is nothing inside. Not even chest! That was why I'm hugely disappointed.

Because, aside that brief glimpse of Tamako and Mochizo past/childhood interaction, brief glimpse of Tamako's mother who gives a finger. We just got nothing! Well, at least the visual and animation is amazing, with Yamada's personal touch here and there, and nice catchy music is really makes this show looks beautiful. Even more if you have a Full HD TV and a set of decent Sound Theater. And that was why my disappointment is even bigger. I'll gladly give it higher score if it was condensed into a full 20 minutes musical or even 5 minutes AMV. Because, there is barely any stories and the script writing is not that good either. It just a Slice-of-Life with visual steroids.

Now, Tamako does has her share of character development, just as Yamada had promised. But then again, it just really falls flat on how she has to step outside of status quo without being afraid of change. Because, in the end nothing has changed. No, I don't think its bad idea. Because, at least Tamako has her self realization without being thrown shit by anyone. And, it actually nice to see an anime character has a gradual advancement without being a drama queen or anyone being one. it was very nice and comfy experience. But, then again, it really feels like a pointless ride with very anticlimac- No! Its not even anticlimactic, but totally half-assed and no closure at all!!

Now, we moves on Mochizo. What about Mochizo? What-a-bout-Mochizo *insert your disinterest face here*. Well, I understand if Yamada only wants to do Tamako-centric show, because everyone already have their share on TV series including Mochizo. But, we just can't leave it 'that way'. There is very little to no exposition on Mochizo's character as much as TV series. It was almost feels like Mochizo's character (and his exposition) can be replaced by W*k*pedia's summary: "Mochizo is Tamako's childhood friend as well as her neighbor as well as her love interest which has crush on her". Aaaaand... thats it. We don't get his character, his motivation, exposition or even his motivation on having a thing for Tamako, let alone anything to do with his decision to move to Tokyo other than a plot device. It just very poor exposition on Mochizo. His character never gets explored even though he is the main love interest. Poor Mochizo

Now, about Yamada's hand. Yamada is undoubtedly very talented and high-skilled director. This show was very much lets her direction style shine trough and trough. If the MAL score include 'Directing' or 'Storyboarding', I'll gladly give it 10/10! Everything looks really nice, nothing feels overly pretentious, character interaction felt somewhat believable (as long as it doesn't have anything to do with Mochizo and his peers), everything just magic. For the most of part, the girls group dialogue and direction felt really alive. Well, I don't mean all jokes and funny, No! Again, it feels fluid and more believable. The best one I've seen since Tari Tari. And of course, The art direction is also exceptional. Everything so finely tuned, even some gimmick when they tried to visualize Tamako's heart/feelings. Overall, it pretty much makes the tedious everyday life somewhat looks interesting to watch even without magic or ninja or a talking bird. And definitely one of the best feature this show has, aside that animation quality which really out of this world (in a good way).

I would really want to end this with impressed or surprised. But the overall chemistry between our two main character doesn't really live up to expectation. No, I don't mean they have to kiss or holding hands. Just a nice long private chat to explore their past and current relationship as well as to enhance the immersion of the romantic development will be nice. Oh, and the ending. THAT ENDING!! Seriously, when this show end, I really want to bang my head on the nearest door while screaming What the hell? It really spoils my enjoyment. And they did it at the classic cliche: the train station cliche. Y- F- I don't know who to blame. Because, the show isn't really bad if you could cope with the actual Slice of Life theme whereas some people will find it boring. But..., it just that there is no reward in the end. It was very unrewarding and leaves very bad aftertaste.

So yeah, thats Tamako Love Story for you. Which indeed fulfill everything they promised. But, just that. There is no tip or any value added aside from nice visual, music, and Yamada's talent.

Thanks for reading, see y at the next review.

This movie takes place after Tamako Market, and is not like Tamako Market at all. While Tamako Market tried to be like K-On!, this movie is purely a love story. If you enjoyed the small hints at romance between Tamako and Ooji in Tamako Market, this movie will be quite enjoyable.

There is a love quadrilateral in this movie and even though Tamako and Ooji are the main romance focus, I think the love quadrilateral is more amped up. Tamako's best friend, Midori, also seems to like Ooji. I also feel like Tamako's down-to-earth little sister would have been a better match for Ooji than Tamako.

One ... of the good things about this movie is that it showed the angsty feelings of Ooji, which is rare for shojo romance. It also makes the movie feel drawn out, and that Ooji might actually not end up with Tamako. Also, that cliffhanger.