One of the best japanimation movies ever!

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2004)

What a wonderful film this is. Not many japanimation movies have whisked me away to distant lands as effectively as this one did. The amazing thing is that, unlike so many japanimation films that are confined by efforts to convey distant and unrealistic lands through the most realistic animation possible, this film is judicial in its' efforts by using realistic animation (or animation based on reality) when necessary, and utilizing creative images that allow an escape from reality. This aspect, as well as the great storyline and memorable characters, made the movie completely engrossing. The makers of this film mastered the use of animation in order to create a wonderfully mystical land.