All I can say is....wow

Rating: Null/10 (11 January 2002)

I have seen a lot of Anime movies in the past. Most of them ran along the lines of "Ninja Scroll" - overly sexual and violent but with a compelling plot. None of them seemed to really speak to me in any real sense aside from "well, that didn't suck." This one, however, had such a well written script and compelling plot that one can not fail to feel it's deep and important message.
This is a movie for the whole family. Provided of course that the entire family is over 13 and doesn't have problems with a little gore. But the violence in this film, instead of fueling the plot like what seems to happen with other Anime films, is secondary to it.
I loved it. I think that this is the first time that I have felt really good after watching ANY animated feature movie. Sure Disney feels ok afterwards - but I always leave feeling guilty about taking part in a children's movie. This is not a guilty pleasure any more than "Moulin Rouge" - both are amazing cinematic achievements. I actually teared up at some parts, while always hoping that the hero was in fact going to conquer in the end. Good good movie overall!