Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom? / Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?

Review by: John Fragglepuss Evans

Genre: Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Drama, Romance, Time, Groundhog Day

First Released: August 2017, 90-minute film

Summary: Norimichi Shimada and his friends, Yusuke, Miura and Jun-ichi live in a small town. They’re hanging out in the summer, chatting about all the usual topics: The beauty of their classmate Nazuna Oikawa and whether fireworks are flat or round when seen from the side. The Moshimo Festival’s fireworks are happening that night, so that will answer one of their discussions. As for the other, Norimichi is going to confess his love for Nazuna. Several problems are going to occur along the way with everything hinged on a mysterious ball found by Norimichi early in the day. The ball turns back time, but only to a set point.

Fireworks has a great soundtrack. The theme, Uchiage Hanabi, is a beautiful and fitting song for the film. I have the official music video posted below. Along with the soundtrack, the voice acting is a positive. All around good sound if you ask me. The animation is beautiful, from the backgrounds to the spectacular fireworks. The story is simple with not a lot happening, the focus being time travel and romance.

You might enjoy this if: You have ever wanted to redo a day because it went poorly and you know what you could have done to improve. Imagine the 1990s film Groundhog Day.

You might not like it if: You want a storyline to progress rather than repeat itself.

Similar Series: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Glasslip, ERASED, Your Name

Note to the Viewer: Firework’s director, Akiyuki Shinbo, has worked on a variety of projects. Most notably he directed Puella Magi Madoka Magica, both the series and the films.

Music Video – Uchiage Hanabi by Daoko and Kenshi Yonezu

Fragglepuss.com