Training to become an astronaut, a young man struggles to realise his dream as his country's space program comes under public scrutiny in this deliberately paced animated drama from Japan. 'Wings of Honneamise' is an unexpectedly philosophical film with intelligent ideas thrown about such as space being "a place where all mankind can find new freedom" and the protagonist asked by a reporter to define "a space hero's purpose" and defend the government's decision to "waste our money" by funding space travel. Other curious quips include the notion that "history is just an ongoing game" while the astronaut even questions "do you ever feel like you're a character in a story?". Fascinating as the film may sound with all these elements, it does not flow particularly well as a narrative. There is far more talk than action and a large amount of time is dedicated to an improperly developed romance between the astronaut and a religious fanatic that culminates in a bizarre near rape scene that even more bizarrely is soon forgotten. The film ends a bit abruptly too. There is so much to like in the intelligent dialogue throughout 'Wings of Honneamise' that it remains a difficult film to dislike, but for all its daring to be different as far as space travel films go, it does not spin the smoothest of narratives. An interesting movie, but one to approach with caution.

You have read the other comments so that should get you started. Great music. Great details. OK voiceovers. Didn't see the rape scene so i don't know about that. Slapstick humour works, as its not overdone everywhere in the film. Beauful sceneries and well animated for its time.But its the storyline that is the gem of this film, and the acknowledged ending. You need the slow buildup for the ending to work. Can you spot the parallel Einstein? I don't see this film as hugely religious either, but more humanist. The parallel universe development of humankind in the end shows us how we have all come to were we are today of our own efforts, and take pride in this. It shows the beauty of everyday life and the greatness of small things. Religion is a part of us as well as technology and above all humanity. The message is to us, in this world.Our launch to space, and as well the baby's first step is the key point. Although mass media and movies has made us blind to this. This film reexamines it and points this out. The makes of this film choose the narrow path and were brave.10/10 - A must see movie for anybody.

An old anime classic. Not what many would expect from anime, there isn't heaps of guns or robot or weird mythology, it's just a simple story.The two combating nations in the parallel world to ours, remind me of a cross between the US & USSR (although cooling, the Cold War was still alive & well when this film was made in 1987) mixed with a cross between North & South Korea.The animation is very good, & holds up well even in 2004, though the soundtrack while very catchy, shows the age of the film with the 1980's synthesizer.

If you think anime films are all super babes, giant robots, super violence, and monsters in pocket then you need to see this film.And If you don't, or don't even watch anime, you should still see this.I was shocked by how enjoyable this movie was. The story isn't terribly original but the execution is fantastic. It's very unusual, taking the ordinary world and making it fantastic, but the eccentric design of the Honneamise world adds to the story and makes it lovely to watch. Shiro, the main character, is a great everyman who starts out as only that but grows into a true hero at the end. The music, my favorite part, is incredible and quite hum-able. I have the opening and closing themes on MP3 and I hope I'll be able to buy the whole soundtrack someday. The songs really stick in your head, but only because they're that enjoyable.And the animation is superb. Not only does everyone move but they move well. Often, anime is criticized harshly for lacking in motion but this, in my opinion, actually makes it easier to watch. The animation in "Honneamise" is fluent and rich, but not exaggerated and distracting like the overdone "Disney's Tarzan".This is a great film for fans of anime, animation, and science fiction and fantasy. I also think that mainstream viewers can also enjoy this, even if they don't like other anime films. It's beyond the usual cliches and stereotypes, becoming one of my favorite films of all time.And by the way, it's great both in subtitles and dubbed in English.