The Essentials
Name: Voices of a Distant Star
Genre: Sci-fi, Romance
Episodes: 1
Released: February 2, 2002
Based On: N/A
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Produced By: CoMix Wave
US Distribution By: ADV Films
Major Japanese Cast
Noboru Terao: Chihiro Suzuki
Mikako Nagamine: Sumi Mutoh
Major English Cast
Noboru Terao: Adam Conlon
Mikako Nagamine: Cynthia Martinez
Scores
Animation: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Story: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Music: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Coherence/Story Arc: N/A
English Dubs: 7/10 (x 1 = 7 pts)
Gut Score: 8/10 (x 5 = 40 pts)
Total: 155/180 (86.1%)
Review
Voices of a Distant Star is a story about two middle schoolers - Noboru and Mikako - who try to keep contact with each other via text messages on their cell phones after Mikako is drafted to go and fight in a war against a mysterious alien race who destroyed a Mars exploratory team. As Mikako keeps getting farther and farther away from Earth, she and Noboru’s messages start taking longer and longer to reach each other - to the point where it takes years for a single message to reach it’s destination. As the OVA progresses, both Mikako and Noboru must deal with their feelings for each other as they each get farther and farther away in both distance and time.
There are several pluses and a few minuses to this OVA. The pluses largely surround the technical aspects: the animation is breathtaking, though there are a few instances where the amateur roots of the show seem apparent. The music is also excellent. The story in general is also pretty good, with the two characters longing for each other, not certain that either will get to see the other ever again.
However, the story is, in a way, it’s weak point as well, with no real ending to the show. The length of this show - a mere single 25 minutes episode - makes this story feel somewhat crammed as well. Also, the English dub leaves quite a bit to be desired.
Overall, however, Voices of a Distant Star is still a very good OVA with a solid story, despite it’s length, and a show that fans of Romance Dramas will definitely enjoy.
First Watched: June 2007
Do I Own: No
Do I Recommend: Yes
Josh’s Anime Blog Podcast Episode #70 is now online! In this podcast, I review the OVA Voices of a Distant Star.
