Uta Kata
[Score: 85% = Buy. Other recommended Silent Drama animes: : Haibane Renmei, Asatte no Houkou, Aishiteru Ze Baby, Binbou Shimai Monogatari, Piano, Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto]
The final line of the OVA explains the title of this anime: "One day we'll painfully experience this separation, just like uta-kata", which as combined term means "ephemeral; transient; bubble on surface of liquid" while its separated Kanji mean "poem" resp. "fragment". Friendship and separation, honesty and lying, that's what this coming-of-age Story is all about.
- Drama: Med/High (with episode 3 resp. 7 things get a lot more serious, including several life-or-death decisions)
- Comedy: None (you have been warned)
- Action: Low/Med (no fighting, the suspense elements always come unexpected)
- SciFi: Med (a lot of supernatural elements though their exact nature isn't fully explained)
- Ecchi: Low (numerous pantsu shots, and some nudity during the mahou shoujo transformation)
What started as mahou shoujo story with serious undertones soon turns into a dead serious story with guessing game elements like in the Kanon universe; it's been a while since I had this breathtaking feeling when watching an anime series.
Certain elements of the first two Episodes I found rather silly (such as the overly forced soccer interlude of episode 2 where too many people happen to be at a certain place at a critical time for no apparent reason), and certain fan-service elements (see above) don't exactly give this show bonus points from my point of view. But beginning with episode 3 the side characters are getting more transparent, the issues being handled become a lot less trivial (child abuse is clearly hinted at in one scene), and the tone of the story becomes more depressing. Halfway through the series (i. e. when Ichika's eyes turn red) this story makes another leap forward into drama, and while you learn about what's going on and who's who here, the finale is being prepared slowly but thoroughly, and then executed in a climactic showdown. The additional OVA episode is more like an add-on sequel, again similar to Kanon's Kazahana, and not really necessary for the understanding of the story.
All side Characters become relevant to a certain degree - some as active players, some as examples for certain elements of the process Ichika is going through. All of them are becoming more and more important instead of being mere also-rans, and over time their actions become plausible (including Ichika's parents). Art and Animation aren't outstanding but good quality without anything to complain about. I hardly noticed the Music at first, but while the drama element grows during this series (up to the level where it enters horror territory not that different from Cossette no Shouzou) the music remains its close companion, sometimes reminding me of Haibane Renmei with its string pieces, and providing such a large a number of beautiful yet slightly disturbing instrumental tracks (Furimuki no Kage, Kagami no Himitsu, Namida no Ato, Ooinari Chikara, Torii no Tamot, Tsuki no Shizuku, Wake) as well as a decent OP song (Omoi wo Kanadete) that this attibute needs the highest value available.
Despite the thorough explanation about the sins and virtues I'm not completely happy with the ending that leaves certain questions unresolved (such as whom Saya-san reports to, or why Ichika was chosen in the first place). Then again, this is an ending, unlike in Alien Nine or Narutaru that would be my best bets for similar animes (with Uta-Kata having the least degree of violence amongst these three), and as such calls for a solid "Buy" recommendation for a series without any particular downside.
If you want something similar without the strong fantasy element, I'd suggest Piano, or perhaps even Whisper of the Heart as the shorter form; if you liked the music and the horror elements, then give Cossette no Shouzou a try.
Last updated Friday, June 06 2008.
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