Lost in Starlight is a Netflix South Korean anime sci-fi/romance that moved me deeply. It’s one of my favorite films of the year so far. A lovely, romantic, big-hearted, thoughtful, and sweeping film that’s also among my favorite anime (is it anime if it’s South Korean? Surely so).

It’s about a young woman who is on a list of potential astronauts for the next Mars mission. One day she meets cute a musician who she begins to fall for. He doesn’t know what a big deal she is as a scientist and potential astronaut. When she gets picked, romance and worry and hope unfurl.

This is a lovely film from the start. Good art and animation weds excellent voice acting and dialog. It’s grounded and romantic in a way that made me want to hug the film for getting the thrill and fun of new love right. And it’s also a big idea sci-fi film whose grand plans for a Mars expedition run into the reality of leaving your loved ones behind.

It spends a lot of its ninety minutes on Earth exploring this romance. And it doesn’t feel belabored, even when it gets to the actual launch and mission in its final act. If there’s any one problem with the story is that it has to inject some melodrama in that final act to make the mission more exciting… and to tug harder at the heart-strings.

There’s a wonder and existential uplift that swells with hope and transcendence. Beautiful music that may, if you have a cold heart, go a little too far. But my icy heart was melted and I couldn’t help feel pulled along by the uplift. Maybe it’s not the most scientific believable finale, but it’s one of the more artistically heartfelt instead. I loved it.

Highly recommended as one of my favorite anime and (so far) films of the year. Assuming I’m not just in an irrational buzz causing me to oversell it. I hope you all agree, if you give it a chance.

Score; 92