Full Moon wo Sagashite

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 Full Moon started out as a pretty typical, shoujo, predictable anime, but for some reason I kept watching it. Maybe it was because it was so sweet with an interesting plot? Who knows, but I do know that I'm glad I watched it! This anime is about a 12-year-old girl named Mitsuki, who loves to sing, despite the fact that she has cancer in her throat and the doctors urge her not to. A long time ago, when she was younger, she made a promise with her friend Eichi, who was moving away to America, that when they saw each other again, they would be closer to fulfilling their dreams; he an astronomer, and she a singer. However, Mitsuki learns from a couple of Shinigami (death spirits that she is somehow able to see) that she only has one year left to live. Takuto, one of the Shinigami, takes pity on Mitsuki and transforms her into a 16-year-old version of herself  without the cancer so she can fulfill her dreams. The story that unfolded (took until about episode 16 or something to get really, really interesting) was really good. There was a lot of meaning in it, and focused a lot on how one can change lives through music. Speaking of music, this anime has some WONDERFUL songs! Eternal Snow, Myself (Meroko's and Takuto's versions), and New Future are some of my favs. :) I would most definitely recommend this anime to anyone. Also, you may have to look up the last fourth or so of the show online since for some reason the last bit is unavailable on dvd! :P

• Age Appropriateness: I would say this would be appropriate for audiences as young as 10 or so.
• Content Rating:There really isn't anything objectionable about this anime, aside from the not so modestly dressed Shinigami and if you have anything against an older boy (by about 4 years) being in love with a younger girl. 
• Dub vs. Sub: The English dub is pretty awful. It seriously sounds like a fan dub. Ugh. Definitely watch with subtitles.
• Overall Rating: I would give this anime 4/5 stars. It's lovely and fun and made me bawl at the end. Like I said above, my only real complaint is that it takes a long time for things to really develop into a good story. 

Full Moon wo Sagashite picture from: http://fullmoonanime.wikia.com/wiki/Full_Moon_o_Sagashite