April Story (1998)

Both are wholesome, nice and comforting japanese movies that follow a woman going through life, experiencing love and being friends with a quirky woman. Similar vibes and very subtle commentary on womanhood.

Both have a simple story and a laid-back feeling. Both movies are about youth and relationships with some really sweet moments.

Life isn't easy for a group of high school kids growing up absorbed in Japan's pervasive pop/cyberculture. As they negotiate teen badlands- school bullies, parents from another planet, lurid snapshots of sex and death- these everyday rebels without a cause seek sanctuary, even salvation, through pop star savior Lily Chou-Chou, embracing her sad, dreamy songs and sharing their fears and secrets in Lilyholic chat rooms. Immersed in the speed of everyday troubles, their lives inevitably climax in a fatal collision between real and virtual identities, a final logging-off from innocence.

All About Lily Chou-Chou follows two boys, Shunsuke Hoshino and Yuichi Hasumi, from the start of junior high school when they first meet and into second grade. The film has a discontinuous storyline, starting midway through the story, just after the second term of junior high school begins, then flashes back to the first term and summer vacation, and then skips back to the present.

Same writer-director: Shunji Iwai. Both movies are beautiful, with a special charm. "Hana and Alice" will appeal to a wider audience. "April Story" may be boring to some, but it is a gem of a movie, for those who can appreciate it.

Both are directed by Shunji Iwai and have his signature style. Beautiful films in all respects, that will appeal to those who love quiet, introspective, slow films that don't spell things out for the viewer. I honestly believe that the director is someone who has great respect for his audience.