Warning- these are ramblings..

I had to deal with many raw emotions while watching.

Why did I rate this higher than the prequel? This movie didn’t shy away from many of the issues that exist in dealing with a closed-minded society. Nagisa’s self-deprecation that resulted in a spiral that in turn hurt so many people wasn’t sugarcoated. His family/personal issues/insecurities were in fact examined and flayed open, his actions had devastating consequences.

Yet, this movie also showed kindness: in an ex, in the rural town Shun lived in, in how people closed ranks because they didn’t judge, acceptance, forgiveness, family. Through Sora’s role, it showed how such innocence could simplify one’s prejudices and priorities.

I’ll put it plainly: Nagisa did many stupid things, *I* wouldn’t have forgiven him for a long time. But I’m not Shun and not his ex. It’s challenging enough for them to accept love is love (Please, I urge you to watch the sweet prequel) and we as audience, didn’t see the ups and downs they went through in their relationship. Shun felt deeply, and I commend the lead actor for this.

All in all, it’s the ugly side of love: loving, wanting, taking, forgiving, accepting, believing.

“Live proudly.”