I'll warn you now: Kimagure Orange Road: Ano Hi ni Kaeritai is a direct sequel to the series Kimagure Orange Road, and it should not be seen nor should this review be read until you've seen the series.

*sniff sniff* *blows nose* What an emotional conclusion to the already fantastic series Kimagure Orange Road. The way the movie started out is akin to how Grave of the Fireflies started out: you already know how it's going to end, but you just have to go through all of the pain just to see how it happened. And just like in Grave of the Fireflies, you will NOT be disappointed by the way the conclusion to Kimagure Orange Road turns out.

Unlike the series, this KOR movie takes itself as seriously as possible and it concentrates on one thing and one thing only: the relationship between Hikaru, Madoka, and Kyousuke. Yes, Ushiko and Umao make an appearance for about half of a second, but that's the only time there's any comedy at all in the movie. It's just so deep that it can't afford to take itself lightly. There's no mention of Kyousuke's abilities or any of the side-characters from the series at all, just the romance.

Unfortunately, one of the side characters seems to be missing from the movie: Yuusaku. If he was in this movie, it could have been escalated to new heights of greatness. Although he was really no more than an element of comedy relief in the series, he nevertheless played a more important role as the protector of Hikaru and, to a much lesser extent, Kyousuke's "conscience". Kyousuke would have certainly made the same decision that he made with or without Yuusaku around, but it probably would have been more intense and emotional had he been involved.

Although it may be emotional and depressing, there was really no other way to end the series. After all, how could such an involved and deep relationship between the three possibly be ended in comedy? There's a level of sympathy that you have for the characters in this movie that could never be reached in the series because it wasn't as serious. You just can't help but feel sad for the characters as they make their decisions and you certainly can't help but cry over the conclusion.