Episodes: Movie
Year: 2006
Alternative Title: Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo or TokiKake (for short)
Status: Complete, Licensed by Bandai Entertainment
Rating: Awesome
Rating: Awesome
One fateful day, 17 year old Makoto Konno mysteriously avoids a fatal accident with a train only to realise that she has the ability to leap through time. Ecstatic with her newfound power, Makoto uses it to get perfect grades on tests and to indulge in pudding before her sister gets it. However, as Makoto uses it to undo undesirable incidents and avoid a confession of love from her friend, she begins to realise the adverse effects her leaps have on those around her.
Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo starts out being light-hearted and unassuming with Makoto’s tomboyish character and her innocent (and perhaps naive) excitement at her newfound gift. What really gives life to the story is the treatment of characters Makoto, Chiaki and Kousuke and what their friendship means to Makoto in light of her new power. Mamoru Hosuda’s creativity in directing the film lends the story layers of complexity intertwining Makoto’s innocence with the more serious consequences of time-travelling. The transition from a light-hearted comedy to an emotionally serious piece is seamless and keeps viewers invested from beginning to end.
Needless to say time-travelling is not a new concept in the realm of storytelling. Despite its well-trodden storyline, the genius of Hosuda’s direction perfectly complemented with visuals and music make it a piece of first-class storytelling. Embedded in Makoto’s story is our own dilemma of having regrets. I can honestly say that I have more than once wished for abilities like Makoto’s to “fix” things of the past. Through Makoto’s story comes the clear message that things can never really be undone and apart from the unforeseen consequences of meddling with time, there is always the question of whether we’d really be better off or not.
Without giving away too much, I shall venture to say that I found the ending of the movie perfect. The movie left me with a nostalgic longing for the innocence of school life coupled with a feeling of content – and a bit of sadness that it was over. In short, a masterfully woven storyline balancing the carefree school-life and the greater questions of past and present make Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo an uncontested winner.
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