Fireworks

Based on a story by Shunji Iwai (The Case of Hana and Alice, A Bride for Rip Van Winkle), animation by studio SHAFT and directors Akiyuki Shinbo (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, March Comes in Like a Lion) and Noboyuki Takeuchi (Bakemonogatari) bring this sci-fi tinged story of young love and teenage turmoil to life.

While a classroom argument rages about how fireworks look from different angles as they burst forth in the night sky, the reserved Norimichi and his best friend Yusuke are about to compete for an even more explosive event in their young lives – the opportunity to spend some time with a girl named Nazuna with whom they are both smitten. The lucky winner is to be decided by a simple swimming contest, but the effects of this race are far more seismic than Norimichi could have imagined.

When a mysterious glowing ball offers Norimichi a second chance at victory, he comes to learn that even the slightest changes in perspective can make a striking difference to the world around him – a daunting fact that might also be the key to helping Nazuna resolve the troubles which plague her…”

Contains the film on DVD with both the English dub and the original Japanese track with English subtitles.