(This is Steins Gate anime film review, which is the ending to the Steins Gate anime series)
Steins Gate is one of the best anime series that I have watched so far, right from the original 2011 series up to the latest Steins Gate Zero. It’s been one hell of emotional roller coaster ride, and now Steins;Gate: The Movie tries to serve as the deserved ending to this great anime series based on time traveling.
It’s directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki,Takuya Satō and Kanji Wakabayashi, while featuring back most of the same voice actors from the anime series. Now, it’s the Steins Gate choice for us to continue down the Steins;Gate: The Movie film review below, so let’s get down to it!
Premise
Happening one year after the end of the original anime series in 2011, Okabe Rintarou is now suffering from memory overload from his past journeys in time leaping that caused his existence to disappear from the Steins Gate line. Kurisu Makise tries to get him back but how could she do it in a world without the Microwave telephone? Will Okabe ever be saved from disappearing from everyone’s memories all together forever?
Steins;Gate: The Movie film review
Premise
The premise itself is actually very short now that I think about it, it’s an 1.5h film with the real story progressing only after halfway. However, I like the movie through and through, as the beginning of the movie gives you a perspective of the happiness that can be found by Okabe in the Steins Gate world line. If you are a fan of the original anime series, as well as after watching Steins Gate 0 especially, you will feel very happy for him to be able to find a world where both Mayuri and Kurisu survived, especially after the painstaking sacrifices he made in the two anime series.
The story itself is also not overly complicated, and if you are already knowledgable with the world and terms used in Steins Gate series, then you can definitely follow along without getting confused. So in a way, this movie will only appeal to the fans of the series, and not for anyone else, as they will get confused and also won’t feel as much strong feeling to events and characters interactions in the film.
Overall, I like the simplicity of the story that focuses much more on its characters. Because to me, Steins Gate is a sci-fi movie but it depends much less on science jargons, but rather on its character developments. And this film achieves just that, so even though people may say this is non-canon, you should never forget that it is just the same as any possibilities in the Steins Gate world lines. And most of all, it’s the choice of Steins Gate!
you will feel very happy for him to be able to find a world where both Mayuri and Kurisu survived, especially after the painstaking sacrifices he made in the two anime series.
Pacing/Animation
Pacing in the beginning starts out slow but eventually picks up pace in introducing characters and events that occur, which can happen quite suddenly. But overall, I feel that the pace is great, and it’s neither slow nor fast, with the pacing being most suitable for Steins Gate premise itself.
Animation wise, though it’s not the most beautiful I have seen like Weathering with You, Steins Gate anime series itself has never prided itself on great looking animation. It has always focused much more on the story and characters interactions, such that the characters and world design is actually created rather simply, but yet retain its uniqueness and each character stands out due to their quirky traits and personalities.
It has always focused much more on the story and characters interactions
Characters
For the fans of the anime series, there are no new characters being introduced here, and it’s all the same ones based on the 2011 anime series. (note that it’s not based on Steins Gate Zero series at all, as it’s released 5 years after this film was out) Therefore, we do not expect to see any new interactions that appear. Also, this film has made it clear that only Kurisu or maybe even Okabe will get most of the character developments, which though I felt that it’s a pity they could not use this chance to develop all of the other characters, I can understand their reasonings.
And I felt that in some way, they made the right choice to focus on one character, which is essentially the only major character that actually influenced everything in the original anime – Kurisu. She is put in the spotlight, and we see even more character growth from here together with Okabe. Both are in love with each other, and yet both have their own prides and reasons to do what they think they should do, even when sometimes they might get into conflict with each other. And I love this film for it, it just shows that the characters are not one-dimensional at all.
Both are in love with each other, and yet both have their own prides and reasons to do what they think they should do
Here, we get to see what truly happens and the deep bond between the 2 love birds, even when one’s existence has disappeared, they still strive to meet back while willingly facing the consequences. And I must say I cried a few tears in some parts of the film, (at almost the same level as when watching Steins Gate Zero). And the film manages to achieve all this without making it too dramatised. By the way, the Okabe in this film is getting similar to his counterpart in Steins Gate Zero, perhaps this is a hint to the release of the anime 5 years later XD)
Soundtrack
Soundtrack is pretty good and they reuse some of the anime’s ones for more impact, as it makes you remember the moments that happened before all this, and thus you will be put on an emotional roller coaster because of them!
