Summer Wars

Summer Wars directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Produced by Studio Madhouse

Kenji runs maintenance checks on Oz, one day Natsuki invites Kenji to the countryside to meet her family. Once they arrive, Natsuki introduces him to her great grandmother as her (fake) fiancé. The situation only worsens once a program called Love Machine starts wreaking havoc in Oz (a virtual reality in which millions of people and businesses from around the world use).

From start to finish Summer wars is brilliant! Despite it’s large cast of characters (most  being members of Natsuki’s large family) and massive plot the show never once fumbles. The voice acting is excellent and the animation (being a feature film) is top notch as well. The musical score swells at the right moments resulting in maximum impact.

The film has a rather organic feel to it, the resulting product is something very easy to become absorbed in. I found myself on the brink of tears multiple times. The best aspect of the show however is how broad an appeal it has. It is a feel good family film which nearly anyone can enjoy.

Summer Wars is available on DVD and Blu-ray from Funimation.