Blue Thermal is an anime film based on the autobiographical manga by Kana Ozawa, who was a member of the gliding club at Tokyo University of Science. The film follows Tomaki, a freshman who joins the club after accidentally damaging one of their planes, and discovers her talent and passion for gliding. Along the way, she also gets involved in a love triangle with Jun, the club captain, and Daisuke, a rival pilot.
The film's main strength is its depiction of gliding as a sport and a form of art. The animation is stunning, capturing the beauty and thrill of soaring through the sky, as well as the technical aspects and challenges of flying without an engine. The film also uses graphics and narration to explain the concepts and terminology of gliding, such as thermals, lift, and sink, making it accessible and informative for the audience. The soundtrack by Yoko Kanno adds to the atmosphere and emotion of the flying scenes, creating a sense of wonder and exhilaration.
However, the film's weakness is its story and character development, which are overshadowed by the gliding scenes. The romance plot is clichéd and unconvincing, relying on tropes such as misunderstandings, jealousy, and confessions. The characters are not well-developed or likable, especially Tomaki, who is often selfish, immature, and indecisive. The film also fails to explore the themes and messages of the manga, such as finding one's purpose, overcoming one's fears, and pursuing one's dreams.
Blue Thermal is a film that appeals to fans of gliding and sports anime, but disappoints those who expect more depth and originality from the story and characters. It is a film that showcases the potential and beauty of gliding, but also reveals its limitations and flaws.