Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - The First Kiss That Never Ends (2022) User Reviews

A great exploration of these lovable characters

[talking_about_movies · 9/10 · 6 April 2023]

Ah Love is War, how many times are you going to prove yourself? This is just such a perfect romance, one that has proven to be so romantic, so hilarious, yet so true to its characters.

That's what I loved about this movie. It's all about exploring these 2 characters a bit more. Kaguya is one of my all time favourite characters. And after this movie, if it was even possible, I like her even more. What I love about her character is that she has many sides to her. She has a lot of pride, but at the same time she is just full of all these different emotions and feelings. She can hardly handle herself in front of Shirogane for that very reason. This movie explores her character on an even deeper level. Why is she the way that she is, why does she have so many sides to her, and how can she come into terms with that to face Shirogane? And honestly, it was beautiful to see her confront all these problems. It honestly was very relatable too. At the same time they explore Shirogane's character a bit more. That was also great to see. My friend actually used the perfect term for this movie - "it was needed". Yes, it was, this movie was very much necessary for these 2 characters, and that's why it felt so perfect.

Btw, after that Season 3 finale, these characters behave exactly the way they would've. That's just proof, that the author really understands these characters and stays true to them.

The movie has some great humour too (the first act was absolutely hilarious), not as much as usual, but that's obviously because they wanted to make an emotional movie for our main characters. The direction as always is very clever and unconventional.

My only problem is that the directions they took with the side characters felt unfinished and out of place. But that's probably because this was a movie, so they adapted some chapters in between, and those plot points will probably come into picture later.

Overall though this was a beautiful, beautiful movie and Love is War has continued to impress me again and again. It's arguably one of the best romances I've seen.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - The First Kiss That Never Ends

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 25 February 2023]

First things first - what's with the ridiculously long title? Thereafter, though, this is quite a cleverly constructed teen romance that sees the student president "Shirogane" share a kiss with the adulatory "Kaguya" only for us to find that cementing that kiss into something more substantial proves quite a challenge. It seems that the young girl has multiple personalities vying for pre-eminance in her relationship with her (their?) beau. These characterisations vary from the young, lovestruck and naive to the young, cynical and suspicious. Poor old "Shirgane" has to deal with all three and is soon completely phased by the erratic, frequently quite funny, behaviour of the young woman who seems as likely to stab him between the eyes as to make love to him. On that last point, it is adult themed - and the writing reflects an honesty about teen adoration, but also about sex, lust and a dose of good, old fashioned, jealousy. It packs quite a lot of story into ninety minutes and raises quite a few smiles - of laughter and of appreciation (we've probably all been here, at some point, as we grew up and remember the intensity of that "first kiss") and is well worth a watch.

What True Love Really Is

[rxckne · 10/10 · 16 July 2023]

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War became one of my all time favorite anime's, despite it being in a genre I'm not familiar with and had no aspirations of being invested in. But the comedy, the characters, and the dynamics made me fall in love with this show and the slow progression of Kaguya and Miyuki finally having their moment at the end of season 3. But this arc/movie threw a curveball and left me speechless.

The inner conflicts that were portrayed from Kaguya were so fascinating yet depressing to watch. Her being in denial from her kiss with the president to going back into her stone cold demeanor. The 3rd act really dove deep into her emotions as we saw the cold version of herself get emotional and try to step back because she thought people never liked that version of herself. Defining herself as an antagonistic figure because of who she was taught to be growing up even though she was able to grow out of that version of herself. But Shirogane admitted he always saw through it and knew she simply didn't want to hurt anyone. He accepted that version of Kaguya because he knew she had no malicious intentions deep down. The moment she jumped in that lake to help that girl he never looked back and wanted to chase after her, and because he looked up to her in those ways he decided to start the run and be recognized by rising the ranks academically.

In the final act they're both able to free themselves of their insecurities and talk about their problems and how they feel, Miyuki letting go of the present that he was insecure about even though Kaguya appreciates simplicity and normalcy. Being ordinary and authentic is what she wants and aspires to be. Growing up in a rich and wealthy environment made her take appreciation in smaller things and come to the revelation that those things can become her whole world. And that's one thing I love about this movie, the characters still feel they have room to grow instead of saying they've become that person already. They're not rushing and being afraid of the process and are ready to evolve into who they want to be in life. The line of the entire movie to me was Kaguya saying, "I want to become someone who can love herself." Next to Thorfinn from Vinland Saga, the character development from her is some of the best I've seen in anime, and this arc portrayed her newly found self perfectly. "This is... the super-deformed version of a young girls wavering heart."

In closing, the final moments of this movie were beautiful. The scene with Kaguya and Miyuki as the sun was setting was stunning and a brilliant way to close this chapter, which begins a whole new chapter for them. The final narration perfectly encapsulates the entire series, and I'll leave this review on that note.

"But it is a blessing to be able to love someone so much that it turns your brain into mush. You should try it once. And it's only natural to want to be in a relationship with the one you love. Freaking out that you might get dumped... Playing little games... You'll come up with all kinds of plans and hold out for the perfect timing... But your heart will be pounding and nothing will make sense anymore."

"When it starts looking like the day will end before you can say those words.... You might find yourself blurting it out. You fall in love, confess and become a couple. Anyone would agree that's a wonderful thing. But that notion is wrong. Love is only blissful until it's attained. After your feelings reach certain heights, it's all downhill from there. That is what true love really is. Beyond love, there are no victors or losers. There's no telling if that person is your soul mate or not. There might not even be eternal love."

"But... true love just might exist. One just needs to have a sharp mind. To seek true love, you must think. This is no easy task. Even so, it is only those who continue to use their minds... who can be the first in the world to attain true love."

Yet Another Banger from A1 Pictures.

[ryanopyo · 10/10 · 3 April 2023]

This may be the leftover anticipation talking, but this was possibly one of the greatest movies I have seen, at least in the last 3 years. The way the movie makes all previous parts of the series simply pail in comparison to it is astounding. Another banger from the, let's be honest, less-than-consistent quality of A1 Pictures. The intense throwing of the viewer from ecstatic highs to tear-jerking lows is unlike anything seen from A1 Pictures, let alone Love is War. The very consistent pristine animation and voice acting from A1 serves only to somehow, indescribably, enhance the experience of watching this movie. The way the main characters are finally explored in ways never seen in the series below deepens the impact that the emotional scenes have, truly making this movie one of the most entertaining, sought-after, and intense experiences in recent cinematic anime history.

Closure that was required and Delivered.

[NoNiche · 10/10 · 5 April 2023]

I can't help but to go out of my way to write this review right after watching the movie, for me it has become quite impossible to unlike these characters now since they are developed to this extent. This movie is much more romantic than it is funny, and that's what to be expected. They have to face each other after all that and be REAL. Finishing this movie has left me hanging. Now, knowing there are plenty of chapters still left to be covered. I am hardly craving to watch the next season as soon as it comes out, it will be the thing that I will be looking forward to in the future.

This movie in a nutshell:

"KAGUYA SAMA: LOVE IS WAR is Growing Up".

Amazing, im at a lost for words.

[notpokemongouser · 10/10 · 16 July 2023]

This movie, was amazing. Every detail was well thought out and complex. Aka Akasaka, brought to life another amazing part of this anime. The whole anime during all its run time kept a bubbly and lighthearted tone. It all changes in this. After the climatic ending of season 3, we all thought the anime will maybe take a dip in quality. BUT WE WERE PROVEN WRONG. The animation stays on point, the humor is amazing and the serious parts hit all the harder. It was nice to see kaguya accept herself, and ask miyuki to accept himself, before starting to go out together. I was suprised that Aka decided to go with this development with kaguya, but i wouldnt have wanted it any other way. Now, I want to see in season 4 what happened to ishisgami.