Liz and the Blue Bird: Naoko Yamada's Experimental Masterpiece

The latest installment in the Hibike! Euphonium franchise, Kyoto Animation's Liz and the Blue Bird is Naoko Yamada's best work yet, showcasing everything that makes her special as a director. Returning the same core staff as A Silent Voice, Liz works in large part because of their willingness to experiment--to push the limits of what you can do with anime. A must-watch for any fan of the medium, see what makes Liz and the Blue Bird such a transcendent work ahead of its US release.

Huge thank you to Eleven Arts for sponsoring this video, as well as allowing me to watch the film ahead of the release and for distributing it. If you live in an area near a screening, I cannot encourage you enough to go see this film--you don't want to miss it.

Naoko Yamada Interview:

Kensuke Ushio Interview:

Special thanks to Clark Cavender, John Reinbold, Ilya Smirnov, Dan, Henri Taarisen, J. Cleaver, Donny Southa, CatXD, R125R11, Gustavo Chau, Kavaran, qwerty23131, Peter Savelyev, Anders Nyhammer, Julian Fischer, Giancarlo Navas, Maximilian Bessert, Matt Wismer, Uri Lifshitz, Costanza lo cascio, Niko from kk40, tincho37, Joshua David, Levi, Andre Cirilo Rijo, Some Patron, Zephorr, and all my other Patreon donors!

Copyright ©Ayano Takeda,TAKARAJIMASHA/Hibike Partners
Music used in this video belongs to rightsholders, Lantis Company Ltd.

[UnderTheScopeAnime]

If you don't live in the US or are not near a screening, I hope you're able to see the film soon as well--a must-watch for fans of the medium. For now, enjoy this spoiler-free look at what makes Liz such a powerful work!

[littlerabbitbite]

I love how much Yamada loves girls. We get such a nostalgic and loving retelling of a group of characters who, in anime, are often boiled down to how cute they are.
Yamada treats her girls like they are old friends. Such a refreshing look.

[ZeusandHades]

"I wanted this movie to be like two girls dancing...." What a great way to start a review for a wonderful film

[SephiMasamune]

Naoko Yamada proves once again why she is my favorite anime director of this generation. Loved Tamako Love Story, laughed with K-On, cried for A Silent Voice and i wonder which emotion this movie will bring.

[BSzili]

The voice actor of Mizore said this about the film: "I don’t think there are many anime works which focus on ordinary daily lives and find importance and beauty within. I believe this is a great movie studded with precious moments of our daily lives throughout."

[MeganZimmerman]

I saw the film a few days ago and what struck me is just how well it transports you into the emotional space of Mizore. It was intimate and beautiful and reminiscent of all the feelings a high school girl has at that point in life. I found myself in tears multiple points, I think I cried more than I did at a silent voice, which says something considering the stakes were not nearly as high in Liz and the Blue Bird.
Anyway if you have a chance to see this in theaters you should absolutely do so. Naoko Yamada is a god damn genius.

[kittgeekazaru]

Yet another movie to add to the list that never gets shorter...

[juststunts]

I'm honestly so happy that she is reportedly alive because I love this movie so much.
I still can't believe we lost so many talented Kyo Ani staff members though, it still doesn't feel real.
I hope it isn't the end.
Sad that I instead get to visit the burnt down studios in around a month, though I will get to pay my respects.

[PlansGoneWrong]

Despite being so visually different from the show, I really liked how mature they were portrayed. I think the style fits Kensuke Ushio's tone for the score. I also think the style blends more easily with the storybook segments. Pretty fantastic film

[k-ondoomer]

The oboe and flute duet was unreal. I've been playing music and consuming it for a long long time and no piece has ever gripped me and moved me like it has. . 10/10

[Dear_Everything]

There is something very beautiful about the simplicity of this movie. Even though you’re still watching a animation instead of a live action, the whole premise, ambience, characters, especially the music has a raw beauty to it that only anime can produce, the beauty of real life.

[meowraiu]

i just finished this and never in my life did i think that the phrase "happy ice cream" would make me sob the most in anime

[cashlord]

The ending was so beautiful, it showed Mizore's growth when she was the one leading the way

[tayanamercedes]

OMFG “how can you open the feelings of others if you cannot open yourself?” Mind blown this is it
this shit’s been going around in my head for some time now and u just put it into words

[sebaslolo]

Why do I always end up with tears in my eyes everytime I watch a video of yours about Kyoani? Thanks for your amazing content.

[TruthinessChibiOtaku]

6:00

OKAY THAT WAS NOT FAIR YOU MADE MY EYES START TO WATER AGAIN WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT YAMADA SO POETICALLY.

This video is almost as good as the movie

[tonyand]

the music is just so serene... that really teared me up

[belushibelushi]

The music really made me emotional. Truly a wonderful film.

[j.r.m.s.]

So glad to see someone has made a video praising this movie, it feels so overshadowed and misunderstood by people compared to other movies

[raseruuu]

♡ I want to
"I love you hug!"
this movie and KyoAni.