Watch Voices of a Distant Star

Voices of a Distant Star is a highly celebrated anime film released in 2002 by CoMixWave Films. Set in a near future, the story follows a young couple, Mikako and Noboru, who are forced to endure a long-distance relationship as Mikako joins the war effort in a distant colony planet. As they communicate through text messages, their separation and the cruel passage of time take a toll on their relationship, exquisitely portrayed through their text messages and the imagery of space.

Avery Brooks, known for his portrayal of Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, voices the role of the narrator. Nana Visitor, also from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, plays Mikako's best friend and fellow pilot, while Colm Meaney, known for his portrayal of Miles O'Brien in various Star Trek series, adds a heartwarming quality as Mikako's father. Terry Farrell and Cirroc Lofton also lend their voices, reuniting them as mother and son, respectively, from their roles as Jadzia Dax and Jake Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Michael Dorn, Alexander Siddig, Rene Auberjonois, Armin Shimerman, and Nicole de Boer also join the cast and deliver compelling performances.

The film's main focus is Mikako's journey through space as she battles an alien race threatening Earth's resources. Early on, she forms the Young Lovers' Reconnaissance Squad with a few other young pilots who harbor unrequited crushes for each other. Noboru remains on Earth, and as each passes messages back and forth, their longing for each other becomes increasingly palpable.

As Mikako travels further away from Earth, time begins to work against them, reminding them both of the cruelty of distance. Their messages to each other become fewer and farther between, echoing the void that separates them. It is at this point that one of the film's most striking features comes into play: The animation brilliantly brings to life the vastness of space and the haunting beauty of the stars, juxtaposed with the sadness of their separation.

The film's visuals are stunning throughout, but the highlights are undeniably the sequences featuring Mikako's spacecraft, the Tracer. Mikako travels through space alone and in silence, apart from the faint sound of the spacecraft's engines that trill around her. The animation creates a beautiful sense of isolation and wonder that truly sets this film apart.

The film also features some impressive sound design, particularly in the battle sequences. Space combat scenes are intense, featuring frantic explosions and the piercing sound of laser blades that add urgency and fear to what would otherwise be still, silent scenes.

Throughout the film, the text messages between Mikako and Noboru tell a story of two people in love struggling to maintain their connection under the weight of distance and time. The messages show how difficult their situation is, and how much they miss each other. They convey raw emotions that will resonate with viewers who have endured a long distance relationship. The sequences where Mikako and Noboru exchange messages come in segments, and though they are short, they are poignant and packed with heart.

Voices of a Distant Star is a beautiful and melancholic film that portrays love despite distance, and the impact separation has on a relationship. The film's sci-fi elements blend seamlessly with the story of two lovers struggling to maintain their connection amid an intergalactic conflict. The film's animation, sound design, and voice acting are all executed with top-notch quality, leaving a powerful impression on viewers. It is a must-see for anime enthusiasts and anyone who has ever dealt with long-distance relationships.