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SUMMARY

Hiromi is the 12 year old daughter of a director father, and corporate executive mother.  Most of the time, her parents are not around. She is taken care of by Fumie, the house maid and Keisuke, her tutor.  She also has a Schnauzer named Junkers, who is totally devoted to her.

Junkers and Hiromi share a secret.  Only she knows that Junkers can not only talk, but grant wishes as well.  The two of them have many adventures together, and talk about the many different things that are going on in her life.

When Hriomi's parents start talking about getting a divorce, the young girls world starts to fall apart.  Can Junkers use his magic to make things better again?

DVD VISION TEST

VIDEO: Great video quality.  There are no pixels, color bleeds or rainbows to be found.  

AUDIO: The Dolby 2.0 for both tracks are so evenly matched, I can't tell which one is better.  There are times where the music on the English track sounds richer than on the Japanese, but those instances are rare.  As this movie is dialogue based so there is not a lot of need for a full sound stage.  Most of the dialogue comes from the center speaker, with some surround sound effects from the sides.

EDITS: No edits at all.

EXTRAS: A couple of text based interviews with the creator, Naoto Kine and Director Junichi Sato.  You also have the theatrical trailer, and the pilot film, both with subtitles.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: Based of the novel by Naoto Kine, Junkers Come Here is an anime for the entire family.  While there are some changes from the original story, Hiroichi Fuse has kept the heart and soul of the source intact.  It's a little heavy in some parts, with the discussions about divorce, and the break up of relationships.  

ACTING:  I like both the Japanese and the English cast.  While I find Brittney Wilson a little old sounding for Hiromi, she is a great actress.  I also enjoyed Brad Swaile as Keisuke, her tutor.  It's nice to hear him as something other than a kid.  The entire English cast does an excellent job, with a nice and subtle performance from Sanders Whiting as Junkers.

Mei Oshitani is absolutely cute as the apparently unflappable Hiromi.  Shinosuke Funmoto sounds a little old for Junkers when compared to Sanders Whiting.  Yet, because the voices reflect maturity, Shinosuke Funmoto is the right voice for the magical dog.

FAN SERVICE:  I am sure that there are quite a few references to the books.  Not having read the source novel makes it difficult for me to point them out.  Other than the aid for Hiromi's mother does look like Arnold Swartzenegger.

CONCLUSION

Miyazaki-esque is a term you hear bandied about in anime.  Any time it's a story about the power of the human spirit, or the magic in all our hearts, you hear it used.  Junkers Come Here is one of the few films that deserves that term.

This is perhaps one of the best films you will ever see.  It's a sweet and wonderful story that deal with a lot of things that pre-teens face.  Crushes, loneliness, sadness, and fear of divorce are just some of the topics touched here.  Adults can identify with Hiromi because many of us have experienced many of the events in her life.  Young children will understand why Hiromi feels the way she does, and can feel close to this outwardly strong, yet unhappy young girl.

I like that they don't rely on Junkers magical abilities to carry the story.  Sure, he talks, but it's would have been no different if it had been Hiromi and her friend Keisuke talking.  Junkers doesn't use his ability to make wishes come true the third act.  I think it was very clever of Hiroichi Fuse to mention early in the film and then wait to spring it on us.  Just when I was saying "what about Junkers ability to make miracles come true", the first one happens.  This allows the story and the different plot threads to develop so that when Junkers uses his powers, it has a greater effect.

Many of you who have issues with "localization" of English dubs will find that not too many liberties were taken with the script.  I am also glad that they didn't give Junkers an Irish lilt.  It would have been so easy, as many Schnauzers have had either a German or Irish accent.

The animation has an interesting look.  It reminds me of the Rotoscope style of Don Bluth and Ralph Bashki.  While there isn't a much detail as there are in other animated movies, the motion and the action of the charters looks more realistic.

Parents, despite it's "7 and up" rating on the cover, there are some rather serious topics in this movie.  Parents should watch this show with their kids, just in case they have some questions.

Junkers Come Here is a good film for everyone to enjoy.  This one would be a worthy addition to your children's anime shelf.

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