Moshimo, Japan. The annual fireworks festival is about to take place and a group of schoolboys, arguing over whether they are round or flat when viewed from different angles, set out to find it out.
Norimichi Shimada and his friends are fascinated by a mysterious firework that seems to travel sideways. They believe it's a magical effect and decide to investigate. Meanwhile, Norimichi is torn between his crush, Akane, and his friend Yuzuki. As they try to uncover the secret behind the strange fireworks, their actions lead to a series of dramatic and fantastical events, blurring the lines between reality and their desires.
Fireworks received a mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences. While its visual style and animation were often praised, the narrative, pacing, and character development were frequently criticized for being convoluted and unsatisfying. The film struggled to translate its novel premise into a coherent and emotionally resonant story.
Google audience: Audience reviews tend to highlight the beautiful animation and artistic direction, with many appreciating the fantastical elements. However, a significant portion of viewers found the story to be nonsensical and difficult to follow, leading to disappointment with the overall narrative coherence.
Nominated for Best Animation Film at the 41st Japan Academy Film Prize.
The film was inspired by a 1993 TV anime short of the same name, also directed by Shunji Iwai.
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