Unforgettable Tunes and Tragedy in ‘Her Blue Sky’

I went into this movie pretty blind. I needed something to play in the background and nothing sounded good to watch. It popped up on Netflix as recently added, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to watch.

In the first five minutes of this movie, you already will be hooked. As a female bass player, I got chills with the Bass solo intro, and there was already a dramatic death. You heard me right, Five minutes in and you will be hooked. I put this on as background noise and I got hardly any work done as I kept watching to see how the story was going to unfold.

Her Blue Sky

Storyline: Second-year high school student Aoi Aioi is an aspiring musician. Her older sister Akane’s ex-boyfriend Shinnosuke Kanomura is a struggling guitarist. Aoi and Akane’s parents passed away in an accident 13 years ago, and Akane gave up her ambition of going to Tokyo with Shinnosuke to take care of Aoi. Since then, Aoi has felt indebted to her older sister. One day, she is invited to perform at a music festival as a session musician by a famous en singer named Dankichi. At the same time, Shinnosuke returns to Aoi and Akane’s town after a long time away. Then, Shinno mysteriously appears- who is Shinnosuke from 13 years ago after traveling from the past to the present Aoi falls in love for the first time.

Info: 1hr 46min

Genre: Drama, Music, Romance

Rated: TV-PG

What does the Bass mean to me? I grew up in a family that all played an instrument. I mean all of us on my dad’s side. He was the 7th out of 8 kids and all of them played an instrument and their kids all played an instrument as well. When I was asked if I wanted to learn an instrument I didn’t know what to pick. I started on the piano and after 2 years of grinding through I hated playing it. I picked up the drums. My dad and brother are amazing drummers and have played without some pretty recognizable bands. I quickly realized I did not have the energy for the drums. Let’s see what’s next, the Guitar? That was an even faster no. I was feeling as if I wasn’t meant to play an instrument, which I was completely fine with.

One day I went to our garage to play video games on my PS2 and I noticed a new instrument in our collection. My brother had just moved back home so I figured it was his. It looked like a guitar but only had 4 thick strings and it was bright red, which happens to be a color I hate. I picked it up. It was unexpectedly heavy. I noticed a bass for beginners book, I sat down with it and put the bass in my lap. Without knowing how to tune I bass I opened the book and started to follow along. I could barely hear it as it was electic and wasn’t plugged in but I could feel it. The bass vibrates as you play, and its heavy body feels like a weighted blanket. Almost like a movie scene I sat in the garage and went through the whole book.

The next day I asked my brother about it and he showed me how to tune it and use the amp. I still remember playing through my first song, I Can Feel Again by U2, It was a simple song to learn but forever changed me. I was now determined to become a bassist and was for years. Little did I know I was a bass in human form, I was calm and collected, and I was the glue in our friend group, Not the center of attention but you could tell when I wasn’t there. Just like the bass is the glue of music, You can’t always hear it in a song but you can hear it when they take it out. I was never center stage but I was the person who kept everyone on beat. I played weekly at church and was in a band for a few years. We never made it big but I played on a few stages. It never felt like I was playing the bass, I was one with the bass.

When I first watched K-On I felt connected to the Bassist Mio. If you want to know what kind of person I am watch it. You don’t see many bassists in movies so I knew right away I would like this movie.

Stuck in regret. Have you ever made a decision and felt as if you haven’t been the same since? Stuck in this constant thought of What if? Do you wish you could meet the person you were before you were full of regret? That’s exactly what this movie tackles. In high school you were full of hopes and dreams, but after you become an adult and start to make big life choices you change. I wish I could go back and talk to my high school self and tell her to stay hopeful and bubbly. To not allow life to weigh her down. In this story he regrets leaving his high school sweetheart, in my case, I would have warned my high school self not to date my ex.

As much as we wonder how the outcome would have turned out, we can only move forward. I am getting deep with an anime movie I know, but there was so much in here that resonated with me.

Being a big little sister. Even though I am the youngest child I have always felt as if I were the oldest. I love my siblings but growing up with them was a challenge. I was the only one who cleaned and cooked for the family. Even to this day, every family gathering involves me working myself to the bone to make sure everyone is fed and happy. In a big and little sister dynamic, I have always related to the older sister. I gladly put my happiness aside for my siblings and parents. In doing so I am the only one who isn’t married or even in a relationship. I have been in relationships but none have worked out. I find myself often putting my life on pause for my siblings and their families, without wanting anything in return. I relate a lot to Akane and her kindness to her sister. Unless you fill the big sister role it’s hard to relate to the sacrifices she made to raise her little sister. I was very touched by her dedication.

“If you don’t give the people you love the support they deserve, it can lead to a lifetime of regret” -Aoi.

Ratings:

IMDb: 6.8/10

Anime Planet: 3.8/5

My Review: This was an incredibly written story, that movie hit home for me. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of it before — the depth of the character living a normal life. Watching your youthful younger self break free from your cynical older self is an incredible metaphor. Are there things in your past that have trapped you? That you have locked away because you had to just move forward with life? If you are ready for an emotional roller coaster put ‘Her Blue Sky’ on asap.

This has a happy ending by the way! And yes, I clapped alone in my living room at the end credits.

Have you seen Her Blue Sky?

Thanks for reading!!

Like and subscribe if you love anime

Newest From AnimeTipz

Reviving Ranma 1/2: Classic Anime Gets a Fresh Modern Look

I have wanted to watch Ranma 1/2 for as long as I can remember. The length was the only thing preventing me from starting it. With 161 episodes, 3 movies, and 12 OVAs I have been putting off that commitment for a while. To my surprise when I logged on to Netflix there was the first episode of a new remake. I put it on right away and I’m already excited for episode 2 to be released.

The Great Anime Debate — Subbed vs Dubbed

There are two ways to watch anime, and it has been debated for as long as I can remember which way is best. I have seen anime both subbed and dubbed, So I am going to give my thoughts on both and then which I prefer.

Bye for now!