A sweet tale about the deep friendship between two very different teens who musically complement each other. It's a visual masterpiece based on aquarelle-like paints. An observation rare enough to be noted: I have often felt that the French subtitles pollute certain breathtaking scenes. Knowing that I do not speak Japanese at all, they are nevertheless necessary. As a synthesis: I loved it!
16 Reviews
A friendship that lasts forever through sacrifices
ansonbehind12 August 2020
Liz and the blue bird let's you explore the world of "Sound! Euphonium" from the perspective of 2 supporting characters, Mizore the oboe player and Nozomi the flute player. The movie emphasizes on the 2 main protagonist, who became friends during middle school were afraid of losing each other after high school graduation. The piece that they were playing for the upcoming nationals resonated with their current situation which was derived from a fairy tale made up for the movie. The slow pacing of the movie allows audience to focus on every single action and expression that the 2 main protagonist which led up to the upcoming conflict, carrying audiences throughout the whole process while enjoying the animation masterpiece. The music, plot and character development were all top class, which should be expected from the franchise. Everything was all in sync, making it one of the most underrated "slice of life" animated movie in 2018.
Learning to fly
sarap130011 November 2018
"Liz and the Bluebird," is a new film directed by Naoko Yamada for Kyoto Animation. If you were a fan of Sound Euphonium, you'll smile at all the Easter eggs delicately placed throughout the story. The movie is set in the same high school and in the same universe as Sound Euphonium, and features the same orchestra director/music teacher. But this time, Yamada tells a different story of these music students, weaving the real life relationship between two best friends and a special duet they are supposed to perform based on a folk tale entitled "Liz and the Bluebird."
Mizore and Nozomi are best friends. Mizore is very shy and withdrawn, always feeling lonely and lost, while Nozomi is an effervescent social butterfly. Nozomi seems to have it all: charm, wit, talent, personality. Even her ponytail swishes with an air of confidence as she walks. Mizore earnestly feels that she cannot exist without Nozomi around her. But these girls are now in their senior year in high school. It's time to think about graduation, college, and those hard decisions about everything that comes after. Although neither girl feels ready, it's time for them to grow up. All of this is plays out beautifully through the musical piece, "Liz and the Bluebird," a story about a young, lonely woman who befriends a magical girl in blue. Yamada uses an actual high school orchestra for the soundtrack, which makes the story so much more poignant as our main characters struggle through the piece and with their relationship to each other.
"Liz and the Bluebird" is a lovely little coming of age story. Yamada's genius lies in her ability to focus in and magnify that magical moment when a young person finally reaches that crest of self-actualization, when they see themselves as they truly are and how they impact those around them, as well as how much others impact them. Yamada seems to understand the true nature of friendship more than any other movie director. She also has a clear understanding of the role parents and teachers can play in a young person's life. While in A Silent Voice, it was the parents who had a strong impact, in Liz and the Bluebird, it's the teachers, Ms. Niyama, in particular, who gently guides the two girls in their journey of musical analysis and self-reflection.
If you just want a sweet movie that's a breath of fresh air, this is the one.
Mizore and Nozomi are best friends. Mizore is very shy and withdrawn, always feeling lonely and lost, while Nozomi is an effervescent social butterfly. Nozomi seems to have it all: charm, wit, talent, personality. Even her ponytail swishes with an air of confidence as she walks. Mizore earnestly feels that she cannot exist without Nozomi around her. But these girls are now in their senior year in high school. It's time to think about graduation, college, and those hard decisions about everything that comes after. Although neither girl feels ready, it's time for them to grow up. All of this is plays out beautifully through the musical piece, "Liz and the Bluebird," a story about a young, lonely woman who befriends a magical girl in blue. Yamada uses an actual high school orchestra for the soundtrack, which makes the story so much more poignant as our main characters struggle through the piece and with their relationship to each other.
"Liz and the Bluebird" is a lovely little coming of age story. Yamada's genius lies in her ability to focus in and magnify that magical moment when a young person finally reaches that crest of self-actualization, when they see themselves as they truly are and how they impact those around them, as well as how much others impact them. Yamada seems to understand the true nature of friendship more than any other movie director. She also has a clear understanding of the role parents and teachers can play in a young person's life. While in A Silent Voice, it was the parents who had a strong impact, in Liz and the Bluebird, it's the teachers, Ms. Niyama, in particular, who gently guides the two girls in their journey of musical analysis and self-reflection.
If you just want a sweet movie that's a breath of fresh air, this is the one.
Yamada's Apex
takahashi_tamako8 June 2021
An extremely special film that displays Naoko Yamada's perfection of her craft. In concept and in setting, it is a remarkably small film. The film takes place almost entirely within a few rooms of a school (outside of the fantasy B plot) and is about a singular thing: the strained friendship between two people. Despite how seemingly bare-bones that is, it's a dense and carefully crafted film that never disappoints.
The soundtrack is phenomenal. Kensuke Ushio is a true gem in the medium and I hope he continues to collaborate with Yamada. The gentleness of the songs fits perfectly with the tone of the film and the addition of diagetic sounds of a school into the songs themselves is brilliant.
Credit of course must also be given to veteran and long-time collaborator to Yamada, Yoshida Reiko, who wrote the film. The two are an unmatched pair.
The soundtrack is phenomenal. Kensuke Ushio is a true gem in the medium and I hope he continues to collaborate with Yamada. The gentleness of the songs fits perfectly with the tone of the film and the addition of diagetic sounds of a school into the songs themselves is brilliant.
Credit of course must also be given to veteran and long-time collaborator to Yamada, Yoshida Reiko, who wrote the film. The two are an unmatched pair.
Happy Ice Cream Time
JayWolfgramm25 January 2024
Getting the obvious out of the way, this isn't as good as "A Silent Voice". As the trailer boldly proclaims, it is made by the same director and composer as that great film. And looking at the characters, you can tell there are some visual similarities in the art style. Naoko Yamada is able to focus on the nonverbal nervous ticks that speak volumes about the characters perspective and state of mind. Instead of showing the person talking, it will show them holding their hands behind their back, and her staring at the ground.
The movie entirely takes place within the school and the cast, minus 2, are all entirely the female students in their school uniforms. We don't get a glimpse of their parents, or life outside of school.
The story is very simple, and the stakes are very low. This is a character driven internal conflict of a story. If you are a huge band geek, this would be the movie for you. Most of it is about the two leads trying to play the titular song.
It is a sweet and simple little story, and it is music to my ears.
The movie entirely takes place within the school and the cast, minus 2, are all entirely the female students in their school uniforms. We don't get a glimpse of their parents, or life outside of school.
The story is very simple, and the stakes are very low. This is a character driven internal conflict of a story. If you are a huge band geek, this would be the movie for you. Most of it is about the two leads trying to play the titular song.
It is a sweet and simple little story, and it is music to my ears.
breathtaking
niashania-5792421 February 2021
Kyoto Animation's Masterpiece
zak5519 January 2019
If you want a film that gives you tons of action, an incredibly complex story, or a dark tale, this isn't the movie for you. However, if you're in the mood for a stunning character piece that tells a simple but superb story than this is a movie for you. It tells it's story partially through the stunning body language displayed by the characters as while you might not hear what the characters are thinking all of the time, you can certainly gauge it from how they have their arms and legs positioned, expressions that briefly flash across their face, or how they are postured. Liz and The Blue Bird requires you to pay attention and it rewards you for doing so. It also uses music (It is a music anime) to give the most emotional moment of the movie that is soon followed by it's most enthralling part. The voice acting also carries the move to the next level as each actress gives an outstanding performance that gives further depth to their characters. You also don't really need to watch the series to get the characters as they were only side companions to the main story. But here, they take center stage and honestly surpass their predecessor in every regard. So yeah...go watch this movie.
Aesthetic Senior High School Youth
y-8091710 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Flat narrative, slow rhythm, aesthetic picture
With the story of Leeds and Bluebird as the core, it elaborates the relationship between high school girls, and also tells that love can be expressed in many ways: Leeds chooses to give the Bluebird freedom, while Bluebird chooses to accept the freedom given by Lieds.
Japanese animation movies worth seeing in 2018
December 29, 2018
With the story of Leeds and Bluebird as the core, it elaborates the relationship between high school girls, and also tells that love can be expressed in many ways: Leeds chooses to give the Bluebird freedom, while Bluebird chooses to accept the freedom given by Lieds.
Japanese animation movies worth seeing in 2018
December 29, 2018
For the Diehard Fan
westsideschl22 April 2019
Unless you're a diehard fan (trans: you have to be near death to not like ...) then this is really just slowww movvving poorly developed characters with a confusing script (i.e. relations between girls; background on individual personalities) that could have been much better.
Plot: A bluebird becomes a human and friend, but friend has to decide if bluebird is better off as a bird vs. as a human friend.
Problem: Humans, let the bird decide.
Rest of it: Animation quality is typical poor 2-D flat unmoving painted backdrops with single (sometimes two if simple) moving foreground figures which usually move in an unnatural stilted way. Animation of foreground main characters are simple line drawings with no detail. Females, as is typical in animé, are sexualized w/big eyes, small chins, and unhealthily super skinny bodies. To further support that theme there are lots of shots of short skirts in motion.
Rizu to aoi tori (2018)
bastienpphiansa_contediluna13 April 2020
Empty girly film.
Kdosda_Hegen7 June 2021
Starting with backgrounds that are so dull. It's just classrooms, classrooms and classrooms... the environments are so repetitive that I wouldn't be surprised if they reused the same backgrounds multiple times. Yes, there are a bit more locations than classrooms, but the main setting is very dull.
Honestly, I'm not sure if I even understand this film. I'm not even fully convinced if the relation between the two main characters is an extremely passioned friendship or just plain lesbian romance.
Anyway, the film is totally girly. Conversations like "Do you think she hates me?" is definitely not my thing, and the whole film is all girly talks. They just make up these supposedly "big" problems out of thin air to make some cheap drama when there should be none. I couldn't relate to it at all. The characters are very immature, clearly dependent on each other, no self-respect at all. Their relationships felt way more like a creepy obsession of wanting to be loved than cute or inspiring.
The similarities between the book and the real life relationship has been explained so many times in the film that I don't see how the "big reveal" could be subtle at all. It seems that creators were possibly inspired by Clannad, but took the only thing I really disliked about it.
All in all, I could not find a single thing to like about this film, felt like an empty shell.
Honestly, I'm not sure if I even understand this film. I'm not even fully convinced if the relation between the two main characters is an extremely passioned friendship or just plain lesbian romance.
Anyway, the film is totally girly. Conversations like "Do you think she hates me?" is definitely not my thing, and the whole film is all girly talks. They just make up these supposedly "big" problems out of thin air to make some cheap drama when there should be none. I couldn't relate to it at all. The characters are very immature, clearly dependent on each other, no self-respect at all. Their relationships felt way more like a creepy obsession of wanting to be loved than cute or inspiring.
The similarities between the book and the real life relationship has been explained so many times in the film that I don't see how the "big reveal" could be subtle at all. It seems that creators were possibly inspired by Clannad, but took the only thing I really disliked about it.
All in all, I could not find a single thing to like about this film, felt like an empty shell.
(dis)joint
eliu_karate16 February 2019
Watching it for the first time at its US premiere, this film was a pleasant surprise.
Went in knowing only that Kensuke Ushio was the composer for the film, but that was it. Back then it left me wondering "What is this feeling? So bittersweet". As time passed I noticed how it wouldn't leave my mind. How its characters and moments kept popping into my head, giving me that same bittersweet feeling accompained by a smile.
Now, upon rewatching it, my love for this film has finally solidified. I can say without a doubt that Yamada and Ushio are a powerhouse duo without match in the industry. Their works touch upon a very hidden spot in my heart that no other movie so far has touched. I understand that this may not be for everyone, but I strongly encourage everyone to give it a chance. Without a doubt a favorite I will watch for years to come.
Liz and the blue bird
WeAreLive16 April 2019
Summary
Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki are a pair of best friends in their final year of high school. They're both obsessed with the school's brass band club. With Mizore on the oboe and Nozomi on the flute, they spend their days in happiness, until the club begins to practice songs inspired by the fairy tale Liz und ein Blauer Vogel - "Liz and the Blue Bird". Immersed in this story, Mizore and Nozomi begin to realize that there may be no such thing as being together forever.
I find the plot of the film very good and In do like how this film is related back to the book Liz and the blue bird. It is especially beautiful how most of this movie is about music and friendship.
Animation and art style wise it is very good which include background and character models mainly the cute and beautiful girls.
This movie is good overall which any age can enjoy although there is a bit of mild language in the movie but not much.
Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki are a pair of best friends in their final year of high school. They're both obsessed with the school's brass band club. With Mizore on the oboe and Nozomi on the flute, they spend their days in happiness, until the club begins to practice songs inspired by the fairy tale Liz und ein Blauer Vogel - "Liz and the Blue Bird". Immersed in this story, Mizore and Nozomi begin to realize that there may be no such thing as being together forever.
I find the plot of the film very good and In do like how this film is related back to the book Liz and the blue bird. It is especially beautiful how most of this movie is about music and friendship.
Animation and art style wise it is very good which include background and character models mainly the cute and beautiful girls.
This movie is good overall which any age can enjoy although there is a bit of mild language in the movie but not much.
Intimate theatre with a melancholic undertone
bendashwood3 October 2022
Starting to watch this movie I had little idea of it being a spinoff of the vast world built by the anime show "Hibike! Euphonium" which I didn't know at this point. Although its animation style, pace and overall atmosphere is rather different I'm still grateful that it introduced me to this beautiful world.
Contrary to the show this movie is spun off from (or the 3rd corresponding movie that it somehow runs parallel to), "Liz and the blue bird" has an entirely differnt take on the overall recurring theme of the fleeting time of youth and friendship you build in your high school years. This is not only visible in the obiously different artstyle. The movie's rhythm is litteraly set by the music score. Its dynamics are being picked up by the wonderfully fleshed out characters of Mizore and Nozomi, and the perspective of their future relationship after they inevitably have to part ways. The fantastic B-plot explains the setting of the composition and reflects the development between Mizore and Nozomi, who slowly begin to realize the true meaning of the fairy tale.
The music is wonderful, the voiceover cast did a great job transporting the emotions and the overall melancholic ambience throughout this movie is oddly captivating. The fact that it opened the door to the intricate universe of "Hibike! Euphonium" which I probably would not have touched without having seen "Liz and the blue bird" with plenty of interconnections make it easy for me to immerse in this beautiful sea of music and emotions. And I love it!
Contrary to the show this movie is spun off from (or the 3rd corresponding movie that it somehow runs parallel to), "Liz and the blue bird" has an entirely differnt take on the overall recurring theme of the fleeting time of youth and friendship you build in your high school years. This is not only visible in the obiously different artstyle. The movie's rhythm is litteraly set by the music score. Its dynamics are being picked up by the wonderfully fleshed out characters of Mizore and Nozomi, and the perspective of their future relationship after they inevitably have to part ways. The fantastic B-plot explains the setting of the composition and reflects the development between Mizore and Nozomi, who slowly begin to realize the true meaning of the fairy tale.
The music is wonderful, the voiceover cast did a great job transporting the emotions and the overall melancholic ambience throughout this movie is oddly captivating. The fact that it opened the door to the intricate universe of "Hibike! Euphonium" which I probably would not have touched without having seen "Liz and the blue bird" with plenty of interconnections make it easy for me to immerse in this beautiful sea of music and emotions. And I love it!
Tumblr girl movie
hannahkraft13 July 2023
The two main girl characters have absolutely no chemistry, I honestly think one is in love with the other, while the other probably has feelings too but is waaaayyy to emotionally immature to recognize this. Classic trope of emotional character falls for emotionally constipated character. Not too sure what this movie was about other than to animate instruments. Seems like it was very popular in the tumblr girl era. The other movie by this director 'silent voice' was also very -teenagers being emotional trainwrecks-, although that movie was better in my opinion, more interesting story. A pro I can say is, the animation is smooth and good.
really like the anime
julitadrachman8 September 2023
I'ven been watching it since i was little, i feel very happy when i watch and feel at peace, thanks you for making this anime, im very happyEven though I watch it many times, I never get bored, but it makes me remember when I was a child, I really liked watching it because the story really touched my heart even when I was an adult!! Once again thank you very much, and maybe someday I want to meet the person who made this anime , actually I already conveyed my true feelings but I wanted to send it but I couldn't then I deleted the message but apparently it wasn't enough so I couldn't, once again thank you very much I'm very happy to be able to watch this anime from the past until now, and I'm also waiting for the arrival of the Hibike anime season 3 wheheh.
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