New Kimagure Orange Road - Summer's Beginning

I saw the preview for New KOR before NGE Genesis 0:11. The animation and music impressed me. When it came to plot I figured it was probably something like Maison Ikouku (possible misspelling) a series I wanted to see but seemed to be too expensive. Finding out that this was about time travel kind of clinched the purchase. Now I only wish I knew who distributes the original KOR series. Everything about this film is great. Maybe not the best, but definitely worth seeing.

The year is 1994. Twenty-two year old Japanese photographer Kyosuke Kasuga is missing somewhere in Bosnia after a Serbian attack. His girlfriend Madoka seems to have given up hope that he is even alive until she gets a phone call from Kyosuke's grandfather asking if she has found the Kyosuke from 3 years ago.

In the summer of 1991, Kyosuke awakens to a phone call warning him to watch out for a car. Thinking this was some prank, he goes to his school to find out from the girl he loves, Ayukawa, that he has won a photo contest, and she promises him a special prize. Next stop on his schedule is the local cafe where he finds out a former girl friend, Hikaru, is going to New York to try to break into show business. This brings up some sad memories which makes him forget that he's late for class, and also the phone call.

Back to 1994. Kyosuke awakens at the steps of his apartment to find out that 3 years have passed since the accident. The only thing that he thinks he can do is to find Ayukawa which may lead to some answers. There is one problem though, he has met an older, more beautiful Hikaru who seems to be making the moves on him. In the mean time Madoka is searching for him, but what will happen if Hikaru gets in her way.

The plot does seem complex, and you need to see it to totally understand it. I feel my description of the film won't give you the resolution's concept which maybe the reason a kid like me can relate with Kyosuke. All in all its a fantasy drama, but it does have a great mixture of comedy. It isn't laugh out loud, but it does help keep the weird mood. The animation and artwork are great and the music is superb. It's just a film that anyone can enjoy. If you enjoy that time traveling s*** like I do, then you'll love this film. Also if you're like me, you'll be glad to see a film about a character just as pathetic as me when it comes to dealing with girls.

Shin Kimagure Orange Road © 1996 ISUMI MATSUMOTO, KENJI TERADA / SHUEISHA, TOHO, NTV, VAP, and Studio Pierrot