When I first encountered Hotarubi no Mori e, I wondered why the film was only under 50 minutes long. It's been a while since I encountered an anime film that didn't exceed the hour mark or I'm just not aware of the other titles. I suspect it's the latter, but I, nevertheless, wondered.
After watching the film, I realized that it was enough. 44 minutes was enough to tell the story of Hotaru and Gin.
Hotarubi no Mori e or Into the Forest of Firefly Lights is the film adaptation of the same-titled manga by Midorikawa Yuki. It tells the story of the relationship between Hotaru and Gin. Six year old Hotaru finds herself lost in a long rumored enchanted forest. Gin, a boy wearing a mask, appears before her, claiming to be a forest spirit. He offers to lead her out of the forest, but tells her that she can't touch him, because a human's touch will make him disappear. Despite the strangeness of the enchanted forest and her new acquaintance, Hotaru decides to return the following day and the days after that until the end of summer, when she and her family have to return to the city. She also promises him that she will return to spend time with him every summer. Thus unfolds the story of Hotaru and Gin during those summer days in the very short, yet very satisfying, 44 minutes.
For the most part, their time together is idyllic and is mostly made up of walks, running playfully after each other, trying out the usual summer activities and just enjoying each other's company. The enchanted forest gives way to flower filled meadows or pristine lakes that create the perfect setting for their time together. Hotaru is exposed to the world of the spirits or youkai, but her interest is in spending time with her playmate. Gin, on the other hand, learns what it means to grow up as a human child by watching Hotaru and listening to her stories. They develop a natural relationship that exists outside of the reality of their individual worlds.
There are moments, though, in the form of chance encounters and incidents that cause them both to remember the frailty of Gin's physical existence. There are reminders from the concerned youkai or spirits that inhabit the forest. There's also the aftermath of Hotaru's fall, when Gin was only able to pull back at the last minute from trying to catch her. Hotaru's subsequent tears and declaration that he should never touch her is something that you would empathize in as an audience member. And there's the moment of realization for Hotaru, when she noticed that Gin didn't age like her and the progressively shrinking gap between their ages.
As the years pass, there is the gradual shift in their regard for each other. Their anticipation of the coming summer days becomes more keen, and with that anticipation also comes a growing sense of limitation.
It creeps on you... the feeling of empathy for Hotaru and Gin. However short, the film never feels rushed, and you find yourself smiling at the happy moments and dreading any sign of negative emotions. Though those less than happy aspects never really crash down on you. You are gently reminded, until you are ready for any inevitability. You gain a sense of understanding that their relationship will always be bittersweet, but there is no anger at the thought.
Much like the growing sense of anticipation that Hotaru and Gin feel every coming summer, you will have a growing and all consuming desire to see them finally gain what they've always wanted to experience.
To be able to hug each other.
Happy viewing. :)Labels: Adaptation, Anime, Drama, Fantasy, Film, Hotarubi no Mori e, Must-Watch, Supernatural
