You ever watch something that just punches you in the gut and sticks around in your head for weeks? That's Now and Then Here and There for me. Found it years ago during one of those late-night anime deep dives. Thought I was getting some cool sci-fi adventure. Boy, was I wrong – but in the best way possible.

What Exactly Is This Anime About?

Okay, real talk: Now and Then, Here and There isn't your typical escapist fantasy. It starts with this ordinary Japanese kid, Shu. Just a regular dude practicing kendo by a smokestack. Then bam! He gets dragged into this desert hellhole called Hellywood. And this ain't no sandcastle vacation. We're talking child soldiers, water wars, and a psycho ruler named Hamdo. Messed up? Absolutely. But that's why it matters.

The Characters You Won't Forget

Remember how most anime have that one throwaway character? Not here. Everyone serves a purpose:

• Shu - Our idealistic kid. Annoyingly optimistic sometimes? Sure. But watching his spirit get tested is the core of the whole thing.
• Sara - The kidnapped girl. Her storyline's brutal but sadly realistic in conflict zones. Prepare yourself.
• Hamdo - Pure nightmare fuel. Dude's like a toddler with nukes. Hated every second he was on screen (which is the point).
• Nabuca - Child soldier who actually made me pause and think. That scene where he talks about forgetting his parents' faces? Oof.
• Boo - The silent robot. Weirdly became my favorite. No spoilers, but his arc hurts in unexpected ways.

Where to Actually Watch the Damn Thing

Good luck finding this classic streaming everywhere. Here's where I've tracked it down:

Pro tip: If you buy the Blu-ray, spring for the Sentai release. The old Central Park Media version has subtitle translations that butcher key scenes. Learned that the hard way.

Why It Hits Different From Other Anime

Let's be real – most isekai anime are power fantasies. Guy gets transported to another world, becomes OP, collects harem. Now and Then Here and There flips that on its head:

• No magic spells or cheat skills. Shu's only "power" is refusing to break.
• Villains don't monologue. They're terrifyingly practical in their cruelty.
• It treats war like actual war, not a video game. People die messy deaths. Kids get traumatized.

Remember that trash fire King's Game? Tried being "dark" but just felt edgy. Now and Then, Here and There earns its darkness by showing consequences, not just shock value.

The Heavy Themes That Actually Matter

This isn't just violence for violence's sake. Each episode digs into real-world issues:

Is It Actually Worth Your Time?

Look, Now and Then Here and There isn't fun. At all. But is it important? Absolutely. Here's my brutally honest take:

Watch if: You want something that treats war seriously, can handle grim themes, appreciate tight storytelling (only 13 eps!), or are tired of anime tropes.

Skip if: You want escapism, can't handle sexual violence themes (episode 3 specifically), or need happy endings neatly wrapped.

Personal confession: I've rewatched it twice. Once alone, once with a friend who studies conflict zones. Both times left me staring at the ceiling at 3 AM. That's the power of this Now and Then, Here and There anime – it forces uncomfortable conversations.

How It Stacks Against Similar Anime

People call it "anti-isekai," but let's compare properly:

Burning Questions People Actually Ask

How old should you be to watch this?

Seriously? Minimum 16. And even then, only if mature enough. Saw Reddit threads where parents showed it to 12-year-olds because "it's a cartoon." Bad idea. The Now and Then Here and There anime deals with adult themes – not edgy, actual war psychology stuff.

Why's the animation look so cheap?

Budget was tiny (1999 problems). But honestly? The roughness adds to the grit. Modern polished art would feel wrong for Hellywood's decay. Some shots still hold up – that orange sky during battles? Chilling.

Is there any hope in the story?

This divides fans. My take? Yes, but not where you expect. It's in small moments: Boo's sacrifice, Nabuca's flicker of regret. Not sunshine-and-rainbows hope. More like... stubborn human embers in the dark. Felt it most in episode 10 with the desert flower scene.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Its Legacy

Wish I could say Now and Then, Here and There changed anime forever. Truth is, it got overshadowed by flashier shows. But creators quietly reference it. See any of these?

• Madoka Magica's descent into despair (Urobuchi cited NTHT as influence)
• Vinland Saga's focus on war trauma
• Even Attack on Titan's child soldier parallels

Problem is, most modern "dark" anime miss the point. They add gore instead of psychological weight. That's why rewatching this 25-year-old gem feels fresher than edgy seasonal trash. No shock-value torture scenes. Just slow, crushing reality.

Critical Reception Then vs Now

Funny how time changes things. When it dropped in '99, reviews were mixed:

• Then: "Too bleak." "Unrelenting misery." (Animage Magazine)
• Now: 8.1/10 (MAL), 100% (Rotten Tomatoes anime curation)

Why the shift? My theory: Post-9/11 and endless wars made people appreciate its honesty. Modern reviewers call it "prescient" for showing resource wars before climate change became mainstream panic. Still divides audiences though – check the 1-star MAL rants calling it "torture porn." Can't win 'em all.

Merchandise Hunt: Good Luck

Want a Hellywood souvenir? Prepare for pain:

Seriously, found one Boo figure on Yahoo Japan Auctions last year. Sold for ¥28,000 ($190). For a robot duck thing. Nuts.

So yeah. That's Now and Then Here and There. Not enjoyable. Not comfortable. But unforgettable. Like finding a scar you forgot you had – it aches when the weather changes. If you're ready for anime that treats war like the ugly disease it is... dive into Hellywood. Just maybe keep something cheerful queued up afterwards.