Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Aspen Orson There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

mixalisteo This film is the epitome of 'short yet full' way of telling a story.It is about childhood, and the difficulties of being alone as a kid.It uses an extraordinary almost ethereal character to guide the girl - and the audience - through the one way travel of growing up and the lessons you learn along the way.It explores a child's view on mortality, love, and friendship all in one.Finally, it is about leaving childhood behind and moving on while keeping the memories alive either happy ones or sad ones.It's an unmissable experience that will leave you with a sweet yet nostalgic feeling.Its a masterpiece in every aspect.

Naren k I don't understand why many people here seemingly disappointed with the simplicity of plot. 'Hotarubu no mori e' is one of those animes that gonna linger around in your head for while after watching. It's story of a little girl who gets into kinda of crush with a forest spirit. Beautiful soundtrack with breathtaking shots of forest and summer is delightful to watch. The story is simple with no major twists or heavy drama, most of expressions of simple and short which makes this too romantic. This is definitely a film that I would cherish and watch over and over. Nothing less to Ghibili studios'.

siderite This 40 minute anime is about a girl who befriends a sort of youkai (Japanese spirit) and then they meet and spend their summers from then on. You get the usual magical summer, the green forest, the cicadas, the friendly youkai, the countryside grandparent and the almost absent parents and you get yourself the typical setting for so many Japanese animated stories. And while the animation was OK and the story nice and the mood a mixture of calm magic and romance, that's basically what the entire thing is. It doesn't go anywhere.Even when the girl grows up and develops womanly feelings, they are not really explored in any way. Her character doesn't change much from since she was 6 years old and there aren't really any other characters except her and the guy. When you have unchanging characters, the only thing remaining to entertain is the mood.So, while I enjoyed watching it, I also felt that it didn't teach anything.

itamarscomix A young girl is lost in the forest, and rescued at the last minute by a strange boy, who may be a spirit in human form. She returns to meet him every summer, as she grows up and he remains the same; over time they develop a special friendship, but the boy warns her that because of a curse which was placed on him, they may never touch.Hotarubi no mori e is a sweet little fairy tale, that draws heavily on Japanese tradition and mythology. It's a pleasant enough watch, more lyrical and sensitive than most anime I've seen so far, and the very short runtime (under 50 minutes) ensures that it doesn't overstay its welcome. That runtime also makes it very unsatisfying, though; it's frustrating when you realize that, even if it were only over an hour long, it would get boring quickly, mainly because it has very little to offer. Hotarubi no mori e has some pleasant atmosphere, but no character development, no original design, and no real point or moral at the end.Hotarubi no mori e seems to be heavily influenced by the master Hayao Miyazaki - mostly because both draw from the same myths and share the same elements. That natural and instant comparison does it more harm than good, though; it's just not as good as Miyazaki's work, it doesn't achieve the same level of audience involvement, it doesn't feel as real, and the animation is far from being on the same level. The animation in Hotarubi no mori e is pretty and pleasant, as is the story, and it's practically impossible to use stronger words to describe it. Pleasant but forgettable, probably worthwhile for anime fans but not much to write home about when we still have the genius of Miyazaki around.