'Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop' (2020) is an animated film directed by Kyohei Ishiguro, featuring Japanese actors Somegoro Ichikawa and Hana Sugisaka, who voice the roles of protagonists Smile and Cherry.
"I have something to tell you.
Yamazakura, I like the leaves that you've hidden.
Yamazakura, I like that cute smile of yours.
Yamazakura, I like you. Smile.
I like you."
The film prides itself on its bold, colourful visuals that capture the themes of youth and innocence centred around the search for a lost vinyl. The story follows a shy, reserved boy called Cherry/Yui Sakura who forms a relationship with a girl (Smile/Yuki) who is self-conscious about her physical appearance and hides behind a mask whilst posting online videos.
Cherry expresses his emotions and thoughts through haiku, a talent that is recognized and encouraged by Smile. The central plot revolves around the search for a lost vinyl, a sentimental possession that links an old man to his lost love. The journey to find the vinyl results in Smile and Cherry forming a close bond, with both individuals gaining confidence in themselves through their relationship. As an animated film, the visuals may be jarring to some viewers, whilst others may find it refreshing and new. As a story, the plot tended to diverge between two central stories, and as a result, the film failed to explore Smile and Cherry's relationship in depth. The cause of this may be due to the film's short duration, but there were moments where it started to drag. The final scene at the Hanabi festival was spectacular, showcasing stunning visuals and emotional dialogue that formed a sense of closure. However, towards the end, the writers rushed the union between Smile and Cherry and failed to indicate the character's feelings and emotions. Whilst, the audience is happy that this union has occurred, the film doesn't fully engage and elaborate upon the stages that led to this happy reunion. 'Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop' is not a bad film; it fulfils its role as a teen-romance story with visuals that make it unique from other animated films. However, it lacks depth in character development and subsequently hinders it from being memorable.
'Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop': 3/5
Director: Kyohei Ishiguro, Starring: Somegoro Ichikawa, Hana Sugisaka. Production Companies: Sublimation and Signal MD. 2020. Rated: U.