Yasuhiro Yoshiura, best known for directing and writing the sci-fi picture Patema Inverted and the ONA series Time of Eve, is the director of the most recent movie, Sing A Bit of Harmony. This particular movie is similar to turning a slice-of-life sci-fi high school romantic drama series into a musical. Why robot is important in human society? is a straightforward question that all these innovative elements combine to answer in a movie that pushes the boundaries.
Story
Shion, a gorgeous and mysterious new student, quickly gains popularity at Keibu High School. Because of her kind nature and prodigious athletic ability. But during the testing phase, it reveals that she is an AI. Shion wants to “make happy” Satomi, who has always been a loner.
But she uses a technique that no person would predict to serenade Satomi in the middle of the lecture hall. Satomi and her childhood friend, engineering nerd Toma. Gradually warm up to the new student after learning that Shion is an AI. Even though Shion’s antics shock them, they find themselves more captivated by her singing voice and sincerity. However, what Shion does for Satomi’s benefit causes them all to become involved in major chaos.
Review
In the film Sing a Bit of Harmony, a breakthrough AI is hilariously terrible at blending into human society. The movie is more interested in the relationships between people and technology than it is in bridging the divide between AI and humans. Or exploring the topic of what it means to be a human.
It claims that if gadgets like our cell phones had souls. They would like us just as much as we adore them. However, find Yoshiura’s work to be quite engaging because of its future and sympathetic viewpoint on technology.
Shion, the AI poster girl, has contagious energy from the time she first arrives. She frequently breaks into song and transforms mundane urban settings into musical set pieces. Her highly expressive facial expressions are significant because they directly contradict the stereotype of AIs as being logical and matter-of-fact. But in a way, this depiction seems more accurate.
By highlighting the fact that robots are always happy, Sing a Bit of Harmony captures the uncanny valley that exists between humans and robots. Shion’s extreme shows of enjoyment contrast sharply with the sad and lonely Satomi, and that only makes sense for robots that are built to make humans happy no matter the situation.
After just a few minutes into the first act, it’s easy to see where this plot is going, yet the movie still manages to be entertaining while going through a comprehensive list of pranks and mischief. It also helps that few facial expressions are too cartoonish and that the conversation is clever but grounded.
However, it never seems like the movie is patting itself on the back or drawing attention to what’s hilarious about the situation when Shion does something foolish. The other characters always react in a fully genuine way. It does a somewhat worse job of letting teenage angst occasionally land. But thankfully such scenes are resolved quickly, allowing the movie to keep its brisk and infectious spirit.
However, compared to Yoshiura’s previous work, the animation and design work aren’t as noteworthy. Even though it’s endearing to witness a small beach hamlet reasonably incorporate futuristic technology, you may find yourself missing Patema Inverted’s lofty goals and expansive vistas. Although the conclusion makes some attempts to go overboard, the setting isn’t fully exploited, which is moderately frustrating. Additionally, even while You adore the vibe of the character concept paintings by Kanna Kii, they don’t appear to be as memorable in animation.
Except for a few brief scenes in the climactic act, the character animation doesn’t stand out either, which means that this movie’s production lacks the energy it needs to leave a lasting impression.
But in the end, that’s really what separates a “good” movie from a “great” movie. You won’t regret watching Sing a Bit of Harmony even if it falls short of expectations. In the end, this is a lighthearted and enjoyable family movie that is simple to suggest to just about everyone.