Though 126 episodes long, Soar High is a plot that manages to capture your attention in the first few episodes right away. The plot follows the life of Mai Iwakura, a shy and meek young girl in Higashi Osaka. Her mundane life begins to change when she visits her grandmother in the Goto Islands, where she becomes fascinated by the traditional Baramon kites in the sky. If you are wondering what is so inspiring about simple kites, then read on to understand why. This moment of childhood plants a seed of ambition in her: to become a pilot one day. This soon turns into something bigger, mixing with technological innovation, family struggles, and hopes of a community pinned on her.
Each 15-minute episode embraces the simplicity of everyday life. This allows us viewers to see her transform from an anxious child to a woman who is confident in achieving her dreams. We are also shown the equal shares that life offers in terms of victories and losses, thereby ensuring that the plot is not lopsided by only focusing on her victories. One of the biggest setbacks for Soar High, despite all the good things, is its slow pacing. Even in a fifteen-minute episode, you realize that much of the plot has been dragged unnecessarily, which isn’t really needed at one point. For those who are only accustomed to a fast-paced storyline, Soar High might not be the show you would want to watch.
Coming to the cast, Haruka Fukuhara delivers an understated yet affecting performance as Mai. Her character has a level of vulnerability and subtlety, which only she can portray well. Initially, Mai is portrayed as weak, and then there is a gradual shift toward confidence. All of this comes out beautifully in her acting. She truly shines in all the episodes and is definitely worth a watch.
The supporting cast, too, deserves praise. Mai’s parents represent the quiet sacrifices many parents make to ensure that their children get everything they want in life. On the other hand, her grandmother offers warmth, wisdom, and emotional grounding. There are characters of friends, co-workers, and mentors who end up becoming an integral part of her life. This also gives us a clear message: success is achieved when everyone supports.
Even the backdrop in which the show is set, Osaka and Goto Island, is a character in itself. All of these contribute to Maya’s growing dream of becoming the woman she ultimately becomes. The visuals of both these places are in sharp contrast to each other. Osaka shows the industrial landscape while Goto Island shows the lush coastal scenery. Both represent work and dreams that we all have. For many, Soar High is a plot that is relatable and inspiring. In fact, a lot of us might have actually lived the life Mai leads. There is a significant amount of character development that we get to see in Mai. And in between all, we too lived her dream and journey with her.
Final Score - [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times