I have never in my life seen a better story about a couple already in love than this movie. Usually a film is spent with the couple trying to get together for the entire thing, but it is rare to see a film that focuses on a couple already in love (without children) and the premise isn't about them having marital troubles.I absolutely ADORE this movie. This has been my favorite anime movie for years. The animation is gorgeous, the music is wonderful, the voice acting (japanese anyway as Kikuo Inoue's voice is like butter) is fantastic and the story is calm, yet epic. I won't give away what the plot is as I want you to see it for yourself, but needless to say, it is more than worth the watch. It leaves you with a feeling that everything will be okay and it set the standard for me when I was younger about what being in a relationship should be like. Yeah it set the bar pretty high, but that's the feeling you get from this film. This is one of those few movies that is less a film, and more a life changing experience. If I could give this film an 11 I would. It is rare that I give a movie such unfiltered praise, but it really is one of the very few that actually deserve it. It is just a shame that the new series couldn't follow in the original OVA and film's footsteps.

As a "Ah My Goddess" TV series fan (the two seasons are on Hulu for free), I was hoping to enjoy the movie version. For me, the movie was OK but far too serious. The TV series is more lighthearted and fun. Also, several of the main English voice actors from the TV series have been replaced in the movie and so it doesn't sound quite right. Urd just doesn't have that flirtatious playfulness in her voice. Finally, the writers go to the well once to often with the 'hurt Belldandy by having another goddess, human, or creature kiss her boyfriend' subplot. There are some good moments like the recruitment drive at the beginning. But other parts are somewhat confusing. Why is someone who wanted to create less suffering for others damned to be imprisoned on the moon for all eternity? In the end, if you want to see it, check it out from the library rather than buying it. Personally I would like to see another movie or TV season produced which gets back to the fun, and original voice cast.

As implied in the title, I strongly recommend watching a couple, better yet all of the episodes of the TV series before this movie. Or, of course, read as many episodes of the manga as possible, but the TV series will be easier to acquire. The OVA might also help, of course, especially if you don't want to invest a couple of hours of "preperation" for the movie.Why? First of all, obviously for chronological reasons, because the events in the movie occur ca. two years after the series ended. But more important is the fact that you will lack important background knowledge if you jump into the universe of "Ah! My Goddess" with the movie. For example, you would simply have to accept the fact that a Japanese student lives in a buddhist temple together with three goddesses without further explanation, among many other details (calling heaven via telephone - huh?).One of the strong concepts of the series is that the key characters are slowly and sequentially introduced, allowing the viewer to grow on them. While it might not be necessary to actually watch all episodes of the series or the OVA, I think it is mandatory to watch at least the first ones until Urd and Skuld are introduced. The more, the better...You will get sooo much more out of the movie if you don't have to wonder why the goddesses live on earth under rather mundane circumstances. Watching the romantic relationship between Keiichi and Belledandy being endangered will touch you far deeper if you are already acquainted to the AMG universe and actually watched it grow and blossom in the first place.Imagine watching this latest Star Trek Movie with the young crew (e.g. Kirk and Spock being rivals in a time prior to their deep friendship) without knowing the series or earlier movies. You might enjoy the movie anyway, but will get only a fraction of the experience out of it compared to a trekkie. I hope you get what I mean - watch the series first! :)So far soo good. Well, what will you get out of the movie if you know the manga and/or the anime? In a few words: more than you would have expected! But let's first comment one some missing elements. One would be the lack of near-nudity and (sexually) emberassing situations which would frequently occur in the series as comedic elements. No big deal - I loved them in the series, yet didn't miss them at all in the movie. Notable though, since they were one of the key elements in the series. I guess it's better this way, because the movie can be presented to a broader viewer spectrum.Also I was a bit surprised that some key characters from the series did not appear at all in the movie (Marller, Hild and Sayoko). A new villain is introduced instead, and in a very clever way which makes it impossible to apply black/white thinking.A refreshing element of the plot is that while in the series Keiichi ended up with some naked women, goddesses, even the devil himself in bed every other day, accidentally drank love potions etc, I cannot recall any episode where it was the other way round - and in the movie we actually get exactly this scenario. It is the first time (at least the first I can think of) that Keiichi gets a serious rival. Furthermore, it is the first time since the invasion of the bugs at the very beginning of the series that the AMG universe has a really big problem and the future of the whole world is at stake.There is not really much more to say... If you liked the series or the manga there is no doubt that you will love the movie. It is a worthy sequel for the series (as well as a worthy representative for the manga). The animation is beautiful and elaborate, the soundtrack is awesome. If you have a soft, romantic spot, prepare for it to be touched. If you don't, maybe you can enjoy the great artwork, but probably you will find most of the scenes a bit cheesy.

Based on the OAV series, this one takes a few years after the series. Now a new semester on college, and a few members on the Motor club, this one is about Belldandy's teacher Celestin, he comes back, a little reunion, but there seems to be something wrong with him, he's wanted, and gives Belldandy amnesia. What is Keichi to do? what is Celestin's sinister plan, and does the new member of the Motor club have something to do with it? A wonderful movie, and beautiful and improved animation, and the characters are just marvelous, and Keiichi kind of looks like Tenchi now, and that girl Morgan looks like Motoko of Love Hina. And in this one, they tell the history and background of Belldandy and the other goddesses, a must see for the fans of the show. Watch it.