Hotarubi no Mori e is a 45 minute long movie adaptation after the manga of the same name by Midorikawa Yuki, the author of Natsume Yuujinchou.

The story centers around Hotaru, a young girl, and Gin, a youkai she meets when she gets lost in a forest near her uncle's house as a child. It spans a number years and covers the time they spend with each other each summer.

It's a charming and very worthwhile little story, whether you're familiar with Midorikawa's other works or not. Gentle and melancholic, I recommend it to anyone who likes slice of life and/or the supernatural, but also to anyone else because why restrict it. It may also serve as a short appetizer course for the longer Natsume Yuujinchou series. It's less than one hour long, give it a try:)

I thought the name sounded familiar. A friend of mine linked me to a song from its soundtrack (the track name was かなかなしぐれ, so I couldn't read it), and I've been curious about it since.

I'll get around to watching this at some point, since it's relatively short - the premise sounds nice; a rather quaint, self-contained story. Unless I've been deceived by first impressions.

>>2 Nope, you first impression was correct. It's very much a stand alone story.

Something I now plan to look into! Thank you, random person of the Dollars, for adding to my legendarily long To-Do-List! XD

>>2 That bit of Japanese says "Kana Kana Shigure". I don't know what that means, but at least now you know what to say when people ask about it. :D

The movie was incredibly predicable, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

So sad. The music was nice though. It reminded me of Joe Hisaishi's piano compositions.

predictable*, derp.

I insist.

All of the sadness T_T

I want to see this. I heard it's a really good movie.
Also wanted to watch Natsume Yuujincjou, so this is perfect. Definitely will watch this when I have time.

It's a predictable movie, but that doesn't stop it from being AMAZING. The execution, animation, actors, EVERTHING are terrific!

I'd already read the manga so I knew what was going to happen. I still cried, a feat even the manga hadn't accomplished.

I heard of it but now I really want to watch know

i love this anime

I thought it was an anime show, but when I looked at the summary I was like........ T-T

It's an awesome movie/animation whatever you want to call it, I enjoyed it, kinda sucks it was a one time 45min thing. However if it was longer it wouldn't be as great as it was so yea lol xD

I watched this last night and loved it. I was so sad when Gin disappeared... =A=

>>16 That was a bit of a spoiler, would you mind putting a warning next time? >_<

Well, not for me since I already watched the movie, but for any potential viewers. But regarding what you said, yeah, it was pretty sad. I don't think the movie would've been a good if it hadn't happened, though. It's the angst that makes it so touching u_u

It's the kind if movie where you can predict what’s going to happen so you tell yourself not to get attached to the characters but you do anyway. And by the ending your heart is being emotionally ripped out and you ask in despair why you have feelings and then you promise yourself you won't watch it again but you do anyway because the movie is so fucking beautiful and despite the sadness you remember that warm nostalgic feeling that made you love this movie so much.
So yeah... go watch it.

I cried.

I cried. Hard.

Dafuq man. Midorikawa, y u do. Great animation, great art, great soundtrack, but more importantly, really great story. Sucks that it was so short, but I think it wouldn't have worked as well if it dragged on.

And it's weird. The story is so blunt and simple, but I love it so much. Thank you fucktons upon fucktons for posting this, bang.

>>21 I'm just glad people are enjoying it. And have you noticed the shameless advertisement of Natsume Yuujinchou I did, because it's very recommended.

hhhh

Oh this anime..it is the first and only anime to make me cry! I get teary-eyed when I listen to the soundtrack! It is one of the most beautifully animated, beautifully told stories I have ever had the privilege to watch!

I saw it some while ago. Actually I saw it three times and always end crying after the credits

T^T its was sooooo sad!!!

This was so sad. I loved it all. I was thinking of making an AMV for it, but after I watched one to the song Waking Dream by Natalie Walker I just didn't think I could do any better than that so I left it alone. Still one of my favorite movies and favorite songs.

i've wanted to see this for a long time! I will have to watch it now!

I just watched it and cried! I love this movie

the stuff midorikawa makes always makes me cry
its always so good and touching

Yeah hotarubi no mori e may be good but I think this movie is really sad...I don't know.

watched it a few times already and still think its great

i cried a lot inside

I have cried the manliest of tears.

I love this movie :3 It is sad that the boy dies in the end...

>>35 I WAS JUST ABOUT TO GO WATCH THIS...AND YOU!! YOOOUUUUUU!!!!
-Explodes-

I CRIED NIAGARA FALLS AFTER WATCHING THIS OMG

I cried so much this is so sad T_T

it's sounds really nice

Bump

That was a sad movie and Awesome

I cry everytime ;~;

woah. I cried waaay too hard. this movie had too many feels.

I watched it 3 times... It's so sad, but also beautiful and sweet :3

this anime hit me hard at the end, i cried ;-;

This change my perspective of love.

No matter how many times I watch it I wouldn't stop crying.