In the near future where an AI dominated lifestyle is the norm in Japan, a young high-school girl Satomi is about to have her life changed forever when she meets an AI experiment in human form by the name of Shion in Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s (Patema Inverted) latest anime film, Sing a Bit of Harmony.
Satomi, the daughter of a single mother who works in AI programming, is not a normal high schooler. Although a young woman, she steps up to help out with the housekeeping and other adult activities to help her hardworking mother. Her life seems peaceful and safe, but at school, she is teased and ridiculed for being a “tattletale”. Soon after, Shion a “transfer student” appears and instantly recognises Satomi and asks “are you happy now?”. The two become connected in a way neither of them imagined and through song and the AI’s will to make Satomi happy, she along with the nerdy childhood friend Touma, the popular Gocchan, judo club member “Thunder” and the bully Aya all learn the power of friendship and what truly makes you happy.
The animation of the film is beautifully realised with each of the characters truly having a unique personality. The voice performances are as stellar as you expect from anime in the current era and the songs are catchy enough to remain with you for long after the credits roll. Where the film sadly stumbles in our opinion is the pacing in the second act leading into the finale. A lot of the drama seems to be overcome in quick fashion and can feel quite stilted.
Sing a Bit of Harmony is a delightful little story that although not as powerful or as spectacular as some of its peers, still provides a heartful two hours of entertainment with a strong sentiment of relationships between friends and lovers that will have you wiping tears from your eyes come the closing credits.
Sing a Bit of Harmony is out now in UK cinemas.
