Turner Classic Movies recently wrapped up a month-long Ghibli film festival, finishing with the one major Ghibli film I had yet to see, Only Yesterday.
I often feel a bit conflicted when it comes to Ghibli films - those directed by Hayao Miyazaki, in particular. In fact, my favorite Ghibli film is Umi ga Kikoeru, of which Miyazaki had no direct involvement. Quiz me about my favorite anime film directors, and I’m likely to mention Satoshi Kon or Mamoru Oshii before Miyazaki.
Only Yesterday, however, is not a Miyazaki film. Rather, it was directed by his close friend and Ghibli colleague, Isao Takahata. So, it should come as no surprise that, having finally seen the film, it now finds itself among my Ghibli favorites. Poor Miyazaki-san can’t catch a break, it seems.
Along with the bulk of Ghibli’s catalog, Disney owns the North American distribution rights for Only Yesterday. Unfortunately, Disney has shown little to no interest in releasing the film on DVD. I understand their reasons, but it’s a shame nonetheless. Thankfully, as is the case with all Ghibli titles, the R2 DVD release includes English subtitles. I’ll definitely be importing a copy.
I can’t help but think the setup for Only Yesterday - a young adult reminiscing about her childhood - would be perfect for a TV series. Unfortunately, I don’t think the current market in Japan could support such a show. That’s a shame as well.
I agree this was a pretty good movie. Although a little difficult to watch on a 13 inch TV at a distance. I would like to say that TMC did a nice job of showing anime. I hope they do something like this again. I just wish I watched at the beginning of January. I missed a few other Ghilbi movies that I have yet to see.
I agree, Umi and Only Yesterday don’t achieve the attention that they deserve. I loved the soundtrack for Umi. Porco Rosso still ranks as my favorite Ghibli flick though. Followed closely by Pom Poko.
Among the Ghibli films, my favorite is Laputa, but you have to trace the roots to Conan and Holst(?) to get a full feel for the evolution of female characters in Miyazaki. Only Yesterday’s true title can be traslated as Bubbling Memories, a reference to the Bath scene. This film exemplify return to the nature theme prevalent in almost all Ghibli Films. It was not a ‘popular’ film but some so-called activists praised it highly.
I am surprised by lack of interest in the film ‘Laputa’ which probably is one of the most influential of Miyazaki’s work, second only to ‘Nausicaa’. Its theme song was a huge hit inKorea and Japan, and in this film, Miyazaki has shown the fully matured splendor of grand clouds and trees. For kids in repressive environment called Korean/Japanese High School, this film represented dream escape. Of all the films I could not see in big theater, this is the one I wish to see the most on screen, as the details and the magnificance cannot achieve its full splendor on TV or monitor screen. There are many series about life after fall of technologically advanced culture, but this is the one that best proclaims that humans can still prevail and live a good peaceful life, in contrast to many bleak outlooks of other series.
‘Only yesterday’ is wonderful, isn’t it? If I tend to complain about its flaws, it’s because it raises expectations that other anime films don’t. Especially I like the city/country theme and the particular portrayal of - not a false agrarian paradise - but a hardworking ’specialty industry’ that calls back to old agricultural practices… oh yeah, and the power of kid’s TV programming in the late 60’s too!
I do a weird thing when I watch it, though. I can’t listen to “The Rose” through that wonderful ending segment, I JUST CAN’T, DON”T MAKE ME. I jump up, turn off the sound, put on “Theodora is sleeping” (Polegnala e Todora)by La Mystere des Voix Bulgares, and then run the end with my own soundtrack. Trust me, it’s better.
I am a big man in my fourties. I’ve seen this movie three times and every time I cry like a baby at the end.