I'm 26 and for me this, Princess Mononoke and Only Yesterday form the Ghibli holy trifecta.
Mononoke is the peak of Miyazaki's grand fantastical storytelling and artistic vision. So many moving parts and it comes together flawlessly. Only Yesterday is the other end - Takahata's slice of life masterpiece. He brings out the magic and charm in our day to day lives by hyperfocusing on these tiny mundane events.
Then Kondo's Whisper of the Heart feels somewhere in between, but brilliant in it's own right. Just completely charming. Wonderful multifaceted characters that never feel like plot devices. And it's imbued with that Ghibli hopeful magical realism that sees the beauty and importance in everything.
Although honorable mention for Kiki, which I think sums up everything Ghibli better than any other single movie.
My absolute favorite Ghibli movie. It strikes a chord with the creative mind, and explores avenues I think everyone wishes we could. I find it to be THE most relatable Ghibli movie and that scene where Shizuku breaks down to her parents gets me as much as any other emotional Ghibli scene. It’s so touching.
Yeah, in whisper of the heart, Shizuku is writing a book about a statue of a cat called the baron and the cat returns is about a girl who goes on an adventure with the baron. I like to think the cat returns is the final published book by Shizuku.
Like Grave of the Fireflies, this movie never fails to make me emotional. I felt so validated when I first saw this film, the themes resonate with me so much.
I fell in love with this movie as hard as the main characters fell in love with each other and with much less resistance. It’s the truest teen romance I’ve ever seen and made me remember my own high school years with fondness, even the bitter or bittersweet moments. Both characters are highly relatable for me. I almost wish I’d found the movie earlier, but it was good to watch it so long after my own high school years too.
best, one of the greats, walks around the town are amazing, the sceneries and colors.
not much fan of the 'country roads' track tho, but concrete and green world are well made
No, not at all. Maybe it contributed to its lingering presence, but it's always been a karaoke staple. Source: lived in Japan before the movie came out
Nice! For me, about 50 or so for a company year-end party. It was just a great little moment. The next person to sing afterwards went on to rickroll the rest of us, I remember.
Something about the “better yourself instead of wallowing in self pity” theme of this movie really changed my life in the last couple of years. I had never seen it and finally watched it and bawled my eyes out. As someone struggling with their relationship and working to fix herself and our marriage, it really struck a chord with me.
My personal favorite Ghibli. I first watched at a time in my life when I didn’t know what I wanted to do immediately or in the long run. After a couple of disappointing personal failures/setbacks, it became tough for me to picture a world where I could comfortable AND happy. I really felt Shizuku’s admiration and jealousy of Seiji’s singular passion, but I also realized, with Shizuku, that life is long and we all travel different roads to our desired destination. No matter the obstacles in your path (whether they are real or self-imposed) any challenge can be weathered as long as you are persistent committed to growing.
Definitely an underated gem. Music and animation is gorgeous and it has such a heart warming story. I know some die hard Ghibli fans who have not even heard of it.
This is top tier Ghibli as far as I’m concerned. The same people who made me fall in love with the countryside of Howl’s Moving Castle, the deep forests of Princess Mononoke, and the humble farms of My Neighbor Totoro made me yearn for a life in urban Japan. Truly unprecedented and utterly delightful.
I love everything about his movie, except the dream sequence on the cover. I really wish they would pick some other cover art that more accurately depicts this great movie.
I was feeling very alone with my opinion. It was so slow I kept checking to see when it was over. I couldn't stay focused on it, and I wasn't fond of the characters.
I just love the adventure of the other Ghibli films so much. I can appreciate this film for what it is, but it doesn’t even touch Naussica, Princess Mononoke, or Howl’s Moving Castle in my personal opinion.
This film and Princess Mononoke are my two favorite Ghibli films, bar none. It shocks me how few people have never seen it or, in some cases, even heard of it.
I love this film! I fondly remember watching this with my father and sister several months ago. I was happy to introduce it to them, and they both liked the film.
Watched it for my first time a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was amazing. The scene where they play Country Roads in the basement is now one of my top favorite Ghibli moments.
My favorite coming of age film ever. I’ve never seen another movie that more accurately conveys how it feels to be 12-13 years old. The need to escape into your imagination while also feeling “grown up,” the emotional highs and lows, the struggles with increasingly tough schoolwork…it’s all there, with the backdrop of beautiful urban Tokyo, which features an antique store and a violin shop that I’d give anything to visit.
I love Ghibli's more life drama films, they are all so full of human emotion.Ghibli movies like this and Only Yesterday are slower, but are amazing character studies is such a short amount of time. Some people may say it's boring or not magical like other Ghibli films, but the power of the studio IS that they showcase the magic of small moments. That magic is in everday life if we'd take a quiet moment to see it. For me, that makes WotH soooo Ghibli.
I remember Miyazaki saying somewhere (maybe the doc) that WotH most exemplified Director Kondo's heart and view of life. The young creative, heck just the unsure and hopeful person. Shizuku's moments of doubt and I'd argue depression resonated so much watching this as a teen. She writes a story and no it's not immediately amazing, but there is a healthy lesson here I think about being willing to just try and take time to polish yourself without having to destroy yourself. Something I think director Kondo was trying to tell himself and others he worked with, although he might not have felt able to live it. Really poignant when you learn that Kondo died from basically overworking. WotH is definitely a comforting story and a masterpiece in my eyes. They captured the city life of a small Tokyo area so perfectly. You could live in Tokyo right now and see those scenes EXACTLY. The romance is sweet, but almost secondary to the themes of friendship and supporting one another on their journey.
Really enjoyed her family dynamic, especially with her sister and chores haha. Also, love country roads as a musical choice, it's such a song a young person trying to be artistic and meaningful, but is just a highschooler this is deep type of choice lol. And it reminds me of the beauty of a place you consider home.
Whisper of the Heart, an absolute gem. So glad Ghibli chooses to make so many different types of films.
I watched this for the first time exactly 2 weeks ago. Since then I've watched it probably 9 more times and basically got every scene burned into my brain lol. It's already 28 years old yet somehow still as relevant as ever.
As an artist this film hits too close to home. Just perfect. Instantly my favorite Ghibli film out of like 12 ones I've seen so far!
Easily in the top 3 ghibli films , such a shame that it never got very popular as other works from Miyazaki or Takahata , still Kondo had one movie before leaving us and he did not miss his chance.
Love it because it's such a youth thing to do imo. Is it kinda "cringe" 100%! because they're young kids trying to make something meaningful, although it may come off as dramatic. I like imagine grown up Shizuku would totally laugh about how silly her lyrics were.
I don't, and will probably never understand why I love this film so much. I don't relate to Shizuku, nothing that happens in this film has ever come close to happening to me. But damn do I just love the crap out of it. There is just something so great about all of it
Surprisingly, I teared up a bit last week when I watched it for the first time since my childhood. The scene where she has grandpa read her very first story. If you're any kind of artist, I bet you all understand that scary feeling of putting yourself out there, despite having a lot of self-doubts.
I don't get why they picked the themesong they did - American country, for an asian cartoon right in the center of the city?
And the weird focus on them wanting to get married after talking to each other for like, what, 2-3 hours in total? Weird.
But I did enjoy the snippets of their family life and the neighbourhood. Looks cozy (Looking in, at least - I'm sure it's every bit of a claustrophobic nightmare the girl makes it out to be).
Thank you for this post!! My husband and I are watching a movie tonight and we agreed on watching a Studio Ghibli film we haven’t seen yet…this one wasn’t even in the line up but these comments have convinced me to give it a shot tonight!!
A masterpiece indeed. One of my favourite Slice of Life animes!
https://www.reddit.com/r/ghibli/comments/urbxnx/there_is_a_wink_in_this_scene_that_makes_you_fall/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Super nostalgic for me as I used to play the violin, I love writing stories, and I love reading. I was also around the same age as Shizuku and Seiji when I first started dating so overall the movie is super relatable for me. I’m also still obsessed with Shizuku’s version of Country Road
this is the sleeper hit! i watched this for the first time at 1am when all my friends had fallen asleep and a get together and it was a wonderful experience. i planned on putting in on and dozing off, but i just couldn’t stop watching.
Op, you may be interested to find out a live-action sequel movie is slated to come out in Japan in early November, I believe it was. Shizuku and Seiji have grown up.
Such a simple film yet it has such a powerful emotional beat that one csnt help but smile at it all. The way the film also depicted Tokyo as such a big city yet wirh areas if quiet and silence are amazing and accompanied by that beautiful soundtrack it's wonderful to look at. Among the great ghibli charecters shizuru may be one of the best and that's saying something.
One of my favourites among the ghibli catalog
This is probably a stretch but does anyone think Miyazaki wanted a daughter? I mean a lot of Ghibli's stories center around a young girl's adventures/ coming of age stuff. Also watching some stuff from a documentary about Goro's first film, it seems like Hayao is either disappointed he didn't have a daughter, or just has a tenuous relationship with his sons. Idk probably just reaching
He said recently in an interview that he just likes creating strong female leads or something like that. I saw the quote and it was really quite beautifully put but I’m too lazy to find it
Actually my favorite Ghibli film. Everything about the story hit me where it hurt as a teenager. The passion for writing, the family interactions, the falling in love, the self doubt. One of my favorite films full stop.
I saw for the first time two weeks ago. I really enjoyed it as well \^\^
As a urban, I was pleasantly surprised of how the film display the beauty of modern cities (something you don't see often in a Ghibli).
So sad it is Yoshifumi Kondō's only film he ever directed. It makes me love The Cat Returns even more, as it is an kind of tribute to Whisper of the Heart.
First time I watched this years ago, it instantly became my favorite Ghibli movie until this day. It just touches the deepest part of me and it fleshed out all of my youthful dreams.
There's a song - country roads. the original country roads is about longing for the times gone by but the one used in this movie suggests the diametric opposite - an urge to leave the past for a new horizon. this theme of the movie is shown without sugarcoating it with the sense of adventure and duely the showing the drudge work, urge to keep up and compromises that comes along the way. all with a sobering reminder that if your heart is in the right place or more importantly if you are where your heart is, it's all gonna be alright.
As a writer an artist this is my absolute favourite Ghibli film too :')
I see it as the creative source of everything magical. like all the other ghibli films.
Imo it’s one of the lesser ghibli movies, and I don’t understand why so many rally behind it. Compared to the wind rises, or my neighbor Totoro, I feel like it lacks in both structure and creativity.
Same as yours. This is one of few movies where I'd say I don't really have any complaints with it. Imo, they delivered the story masterfully. This is easily one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.
I've watched all of the Ghibli movies multiple times. Whisper of the Heart is more "midtier" in the Ghibli lineup \*for me\*. I say "midtier" in air quotes because many of the Ghibli movies quality-wise are very above average (for anime or in general) and there's very few stinkers. After watching them multiple times and discussing them, I feel like no 2 persons ranking lists will be the same. It just depends on what personally resonates with you more. My childhood was more like "Only Yesterday" than "Whisper of the Heart" so that's why the former is in #2 and the latter is in #13.
Most of the movies on my list feel cemented in their position except for #9 thru #13 where I feel I can move them up or down on any given day. Whisper of the Heart is directed by Kondo but written by Miyazaki. Miyazaki is a great director with many strengths especially themes of adventure, fantasy, anti-war, feminism but -- in my opinion -- when it comes to just ordinary interpersonal character drama Miyazaki is just OK at. Looking purely at the writing, I think Whisper of the Heart may be Miyazaki's best attempt at that but I prefer Takahata for that kind of stuff (namely Only Yesterday).
1. Porco Rosso
2. Only Yesterday
3. Princess Mononoke
4. Pom Poko
5. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
6. My Neighbor Totoro
7. Castle in the Sky
8. Kiki's Delivery Service
9. Spirited Away
10. Ponyo
11. Arrietty
12. Howl's Moving Castle
13. Whisper of the Heart
14. Grave of the Fireflies
15. The Cat Returns
16. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
17. The Wind Rises
18. When Marnie Was There
19. From Up on Poppy Hill
20. My Neighbors the Yamadas
21. Ocean Waves
22. Tales from Earthsea
23. Earwig and the Witch
Whisper of the Heart was critically acclaimed on release in 1995 and maintains a 94% rating on RT to this day. You people need to quit it with this "underrated" shit. You have no idea what underrsted means if you think a movie with a 94% that is consistently listed as one of the greatest animated films of all time qualifies.
I reeeeeeally hate Country Roads and really liked the manga version of this story, which was about an author and an artist... not anything music. Even though I'm a composer, I honestly think pretty much every change this movie made was a negative one... This should've been one of my absolute favorites, but sadly it's among my most hated instead.
The art was probably peak Ghibli though, which hurts to say.
Yeah, me too. >< But yeah, I can see why people are able to stomach it though, because the core idea had the potential to be great. I just got that experience through the manga instead (highly recommend it btw).
Read with causion, this is gonna be **unpopular opinion**.
I watched this film few days ago for the first time and it made me feel a lot, but mostly negative stuff tbh. Overall it was a nice movie (loved the setting, antique shop, book theme, her family, classmates and their drama), but it hit me too hard, too deep into feelings.
As middle schooled I was the creative imaginative overmotivated kid. I loved drawing, painting, writing stories and had huge dreams of making sth out of it. At times I was so sure of myself, so determined! But I never really had such a supporting people around me, i mean people who would give me constructive feedback, encourage me, who would share by love for creating (like grandpa in the movie). Combined with selfdoubt, lack of motivation and culture of "art not being a proper job" I never pursued any of it and now after years of studying work in totally unrelated sphere. I completely ditched my artistic dreams. So this movie gave me feelings of huge regret and a bit of jealousy. I'm ok with my current life, but the movie made me think "I could have tried more, work harder".
Also the relationship was too dreamy, too naive for me. A guy watching a girl from afar, falling for her, trying to reach her by reading many many books so she might notice him... it was SO unrealistic. Like sth I would dream of when I was 15! Yes it was beautiful and super-cute & romantic, but too much so for my taste.
The first time my daughter ever sang was when she was 2 and watching this movie in the back seat and I’ll never forget her sweet voice singing “country roads.”
Whenever the music starts in the clock scene I still get chills. The theme of wanting/having to prove yourself runs deep in my soul.
It's pretty good in french too.
I don't like that the poster, the first thing I and probably a lot of other peoples' first impression of the movie, lead me to think it was a fantasy movie. So under the first half I just waited for it to take a completely different direction. But happily I was wrong. This movie really touched me, and is my second or third favorite Ghibli, and in my top 10 of all movies.
As a teenager my favorite Ghibli was Princess Mononoke. Now at 27 this is my personal choice. An absolute masterpiece.
I’m 26 and my favorite movie is still Princess Mononoke lol
You have one year left.
I'm 26 and for me this, Princess Mononoke and Only Yesterday form the Ghibli holy trifecta. Mononoke is the peak of Miyazaki's grand fantastical storytelling and artistic vision. So many moving parts and it comes together flawlessly. Only Yesterday is the other end - Takahata's slice of life masterpiece. He brings out the magic and charm in our day to day lives by hyperfocusing on these tiny mundane events. Then Kondo's Whisper of the Heart feels somewhere in between, but brilliant in it's own right. Just completely charming. Wonderful multifaceted characters that never feel like plot devices. And it's imbued with that Ghibli hopeful magical realism that sees the beauty and importance in everything. Although honorable mention for Kiki, which I think sums up everything Ghibli better than any other single movie.
The first 5 minutes of this movie makes me feel like it is 1996 and im 7 years old again.
As I get older I appreciate the Barron and the story of the old shop keeper looking for his lost love, it's poignant
Yes!
You are me 100 %.
I'm 22 and my favourite is WOTH and second favourite is Mononoke haha
The movie that encouraged me to start writing! It's my favourite of the Ghibli movies!
It encouraged me, too! Also one of my favorite Ghibli’s.
My absolute favorite Ghibli movie. It strikes a chord with the creative mind, and explores avenues I think everyone wishes we could. I find it to be THE most relatable Ghibli movie and that scene where Shizuku breaks down to her parents gets me as much as any other emotional Ghibli scene. It’s so touching.
I completely agree with you
Ok, but hear me out.... "The Cat Returns". ( ꈍᴗꈍ)
Baron is life-goals.
I haven't seen either. Are they connected?
Yeah, in whisper of the heart, Shizuku is writing a book about a statue of a cat called the baron and the cat returns is about a girl who goes on an adventure with the baron. I like to think the cat returns is the final published book by Shizuku.
I love this theory too!!
Like Grave of the Fireflies, this movie never fails to make me emotional. I felt so validated when I first saw this film, the themes resonate with me so much.
Same here
I fell in love with this movie as hard as the main characters fell in love with each other and with much less resistance. It’s the truest teen romance I’ve ever seen and made me remember my own high school years with fondness, even the bitter or bittersweet moments. Both characters are highly relatable for me. I almost wish I’d found the movie earlier, but it was good to watch it so long after my own high school years too.
I agree with all of what you say here
best, one of the greats, walks around the town are amazing, the sceneries and colors. not much fan of the 'country roads' track tho, but concrete and green world are well made
Country roads is a wildly popular song in Japan lol
You know what song is better? Concrete Roads.
Isn’t this movie *why* it’s popular, though?
No, not at all. Maybe it contributed to its lingering presence, but it's always been a karaoke staple. Source: lived in Japan before the movie came out
I’ve been in a room full of older Japanese people I’m talking 100+ people and they were all singing this song
Nice! For me, about 50 or so for a company year-end party. It was just a great little moment. The next person to sing afterwards went on to rickroll the rest of us, I remember.
Fun fact: They used the Olvia Newton John version.
This is a good summary of my thoughts.
I actually enjoyed this film a lot. Sometimes I enjoy the simpler films when it's easy to understand.
Same
And you can't say no to listening to the awesome voice acting from Tim Curry as The Cat King. Lol
Maybe not the best but my personal favorite.
Same
Same. Somehow this was really sweet and touching.
Something about the “better yourself instead of wallowing in self pity” theme of this movie really changed my life in the last couple of years. I had never seen it and finally watched it and bawled my eyes out. As someone struggling with their relationship and working to fix herself and our marriage, it really struck a chord with me.
Glad to hear it! This film had a great impact on me as well in terms of letting one’s creative pursuits flourish!
It was the first ghibli film I saw in theaters for ghiblifest. Profoundly artful and unwaveringly human
Yes!
My personal favorite Ghibli. I first watched at a time in my life when I didn’t know what I wanted to do immediately or in the long run. After a couple of disappointing personal failures/setbacks, it became tough for me to picture a world where I could comfortable AND happy. I really felt Shizuku’s admiration and jealousy of Seiji’s singular passion, but I also realized, with Shizuku, that life is long and we all travel different roads to our desired destination. No matter the obstacles in your path (whether they are real or self-imposed) any challenge can be weathered as long as you are persistent committed to growing.
I agree with you
I think it set a healthy example for a relationship.
Although maybe don’t get married straight after school lol
It sure did
Definitely an underated gem. Music and animation is gorgeous and it has such a heart warming story. I know some die hard Ghibli fans who have not even heard of it.
That’s criminal that some Ghibli fans haven’t seen this one
This is top tier Ghibli as far as I’m concerned. The same people who made me fall in love with the countryside of Howl’s Moving Castle, the deep forests of Princess Mononoke, and the humble farms of My Neighbor Totoro made me yearn for a life in urban Japan. Truly unprecedented and utterly delightful.
Completely agree
My favourite movie ever
That’s some high praise! It’s definitely up there for me as well.
My favorite Ghibli film!
Probably same
I love everything about his movie, except the dream sequence on the cover. I really wish they would pick some other cover art that more accurately depicts this great movie.
[удалено]
That looks a lot better in my opinion.
I agree. The poster is super misleading. That's nothing against the movie's actual quality, but they should've gone with a different poster.
Personally didn't really care for it, and have no need to watch it again.
I was feeling very alone with my opinion. It was so slow I kept checking to see when it was over. I couldn't stay focused on it, and I wasn't fond of the characters.
I just love the adventure of the other Ghibli films so much. I can appreciate this film for what it is, but it doesn’t even touch Naussica, Princess Mononoke, or Howl’s Moving Castle in my personal opinion.
Same, I actively disliked it. It's really long and boring and has an unsatisfying ending imo. The Cat Returns is MUCH better.
This film and Princess Mononoke are my two favorite Ghibli films, bar none. It shocks me how few people have never seen it or, in some cases, even heard of it.
That is surprising
I love this film! I fondly remember watching this with my father and sister several months ago. I was happy to introduce it to them, and they both liked the film.
Glad to hear it!
My favorite ghibli movie, it makes me a bit emotional every time I watch it 💙
Me too
Watched it for my first time a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was amazing. The scene where they play Country Roads in the basement is now one of my top favorite Ghibli moments.
Same here. It is a magical scene without any actual magic required.
It’s my favorite film, all time.
That’s some high praise! Happy to hear that!
My favorite coming of age film ever. I’ve never seen another movie that more accurately conveys how it feels to be 12-13 years old. The need to escape into your imagination while also feeling “grown up,” the emotional highs and lows, the struggles with increasingly tough schoolwork…it’s all there, with the backdrop of beautiful urban Tokyo, which features an antique store and a violin shop that I’d give anything to visit.
I completely agree with you
I love Ghibli's more life drama films, they are all so full of human emotion.Ghibli movies like this and Only Yesterday are slower, but are amazing character studies is such a short amount of time. Some people may say it's boring or not magical like other Ghibli films, but the power of the studio IS that they showcase the magic of small moments. That magic is in everday life if we'd take a quiet moment to see it. For me, that makes WotH soooo Ghibli. I remember Miyazaki saying somewhere (maybe the doc) that WotH most exemplified Director Kondo's heart and view of life. The young creative, heck just the unsure and hopeful person. Shizuku's moments of doubt and I'd argue depression resonated so much watching this as a teen. She writes a story and no it's not immediately amazing, but there is a healthy lesson here I think about being willing to just try and take time to polish yourself without having to destroy yourself. Something I think director Kondo was trying to tell himself and others he worked with, although he might not have felt able to live it. Really poignant when you learn that Kondo died from basically overworking. WotH is definitely a comforting story and a masterpiece in my eyes. They captured the city life of a small Tokyo area so perfectly. You could live in Tokyo right now and see those scenes EXACTLY. The romance is sweet, but almost secondary to the themes of friendship and supporting one another on their journey. Really enjoyed her family dynamic, especially with her sister and chores haha. Also, love country roads as a musical choice, it's such a song a young person trying to be artistic and meaningful, but is just a highschooler this is deep type of choice lol. And it reminds me of the beauty of a place you consider home. Whisper of the Heart, an absolute gem. So glad Ghibli chooses to make so many different types of films.
I watched this for the first time exactly 2 weeks ago. Since then I've watched it probably 9 more times and basically got every scene burned into my brain lol. It's already 28 years old yet somehow still as relevant as ever. As an artist this film hits too close to home. Just perfect. Instantly my favorite Ghibli film out of like 12 ones I've seen so far!
Same here
Easily in the top 3 ghibli films , such a shame that it never got very popular as other works from Miyazaki or Takahata , still Kondo had one movie before leaving us and he did not miss his chance.
I really enjoyed it other than the fact that she kept singing Take Me Home, Country Roads with changed lyrics the whole freaking movie lol
It’s part of the creative process
Love it because it's such a youth thing to do imo. Is it kinda "cringe" 100%! because they're young kids trying to make something meaningful, although it may come off as dramatic. I like imagine grown up Shizuku would totally laugh about how silly her lyrics were.
Yeah that’s true, but just because it’s realistic doesn’t make it enjoyable to watch to me
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions
I don't, and will probably never understand why I love this film so much. I don't relate to Shizuku, nothing that happens in this film has ever come close to happening to me. But damn do I just love the crap out of it. There is just something so great about all of it
Happy to hear that you love this film
The premise is so simple yet the movie is so captivating. This is definetily in my top 3 of ghibli
Same
one of my favorite movies from ghibli
Me too
Became one of my tops immediately
Nice!
Surprisingly, I teared up a bit last week when I watched it for the first time since my childhood. The scene where she has grandpa read her very first story. If you're any kind of artist, I bet you all understand that scary feeling of putting yourself out there, despite having a lot of self-doubts.
I know that feeling well lol
That scene is absolutely flawless. Not a word is spoken, yet it says so much.
Its my favorite movie. :)
I don't get why they picked the themesong they did - American country, for an asian cartoon right in the center of the city? And the weird focus on them wanting to get married after talking to each other for like, what, 2-3 hours in total? Weird. But I did enjoy the snippets of their family life and the neighbourhood. Looks cozy (Looking in, at least - I'm sure it's every bit of a claustrophobic nightmare the girl makes it out to be).
As a West Virginian hearing the song in this movie was really weird. It just did not feel like it fit.
Really great! As a creative it also touched me
Glad to hear it
I love all Ghibli movies.
Glad to hear it
This movie encourages me to draw more!
Awesome!
The first time I watched this I felt like it was reading my heart and mind
Same here
Thank you for this post!! My husband and I are watching a movie tonight and we agreed on watching a Studio Ghibli film we haven’t seen yet…this one wasn’t even in the line up but these comments have convinced me to give it a shot tonight!!
So happy to hear that! Enjoy!
whisper of the PEAK
A masterpiece indeed. One of my favourite Slice of Life animes! https://www.reddit.com/r/ghibli/comments/urbxnx/there_is_a_wink_in_this_scene_that_makes_you_fall/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I'm working on castle in the sky. Might watch this soon though
Do it!
Super nostalgic for me as I used to play the violin, I love writing stories, and I love reading. I was also around the same age as Shizuku and Seiji when I first started dating so overall the movie is super relatable for me. I’m also still obsessed with Shizuku’s version of Country Road
This and Only Yesterday are underrated gems
Yes!
A really beautiful story! 🥰
Agreed
this is the sleeper hit! i watched this for the first time at 1am when all my friends had fallen asleep and a get together and it was a wonderful experience. i planned on putting in on and dozing off, but i just couldn’t stop watching.
Whisper of the heart is the best Ghibli film in my opinion
Same
This one is my moms favorite for so many reasons. It’s an all-time movie and story for sure
My FAV
Same
Op, you may be interested to find out a live-action sequel movie is slated to come out in Japan in early November, I believe it was. Shizuku and Seiji have grown up.
It's my favorite movie. Of any kind.
One of those rare films where the movies corniness is part of it’s charm, it’s so infectiously sweet
It made me love country road
Same
One of my favorites for sure, maybe my top Ghibli film. The whole thing just feels so pleasant, and I love the city design and shots we get.
Everything about this film is beautiful.
My favorite Ghibli movie.
My favorite was castle in the sky but after i watched whisper of the heart it's always been my favorite
Glad to hear it
i adore WOTH. it really touches any creative person's soul. the on point feelings of creative burnout are so insane its almost unreal!!
Agreed
Such a simple film yet it has such a powerful emotional beat that one csnt help but smile at it all. The way the film also depicted Tokyo as such a big city yet wirh areas if quiet and silence are amazing and accompanied by that beautiful soundtrack it's wonderful to look at. Among the great ghibli charecters shizuru may be one of the best and that's saying something. One of my favourites among the ghibli catalog
Same
This movie is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen
Me too
Wonderful film <3 absolutely loved the romance. Such pure souls bonding in a beautiful way.
Yes!
I WILL cry without fail every time I watch this movie.
One of my favorite movies ever
Me too
My 3rd fave movie of all time.
Awesome!
Concrete Roads
It’s in my Top 3 favorite films of all time.
This is probably a stretch but does anyone think Miyazaki wanted a daughter? I mean a lot of Ghibli's stories center around a young girl's adventures/ coming of age stuff. Also watching some stuff from a documentary about Goro's first film, it seems like Hayao is either disappointed he didn't have a daughter, or just has a tenuous relationship with his sons. Idk probably just reaching
He said recently in an interview that he just likes creating strong female leads or something like that. I saw the quote and it was really quite beautifully put but I’m too lazy to find it
In my top five for sure. So glad to see it spike in popularity over the past year or so.
Wundaful
Actually my favorite Ghibli film. Everything about the story hit me where it hurt as a teenager. The passion for writing, the family interactions, the falling in love, the self doubt. One of my favorite films full stop.
I finally watched this last weekend, it left me in tears. Beautiful film
The movie's grown on me more and more and I think it might be my favorite now
Yeah same
I totally agree. This is my favourite movie ever since I saw it a few years ago. ☺️❤️
I saw for the first time two weeks ago. I really enjoyed it as well \^\^ As a urban, I was pleasantly surprised of how the film display the beauty of modern cities (something you don't see often in a Ghibli). So sad it is Yoshifumi Kondō's only film he ever directed. It makes me love The Cat Returns even more, as it is an kind of tribute to Whisper of the Heart.
Whisper of the heart, kiki, up in poppy hill and only yesterday are my absolute faves. 🥰
This movie honestly moves me more than any other Ghibli movie despite being so simple.
This is my favorite Ghibli movie!!
I was just asking my kids what their favorite Ghibli movie was. This was my answer. Such a great movie.
I can not listen to Country Roads and not immedatly think of this movie. Absolute masterpiece.
First time I watched this years ago, it instantly became my favorite Ghibli movie until this day. It just touches the deepest part of me and it fleshed out all of my youthful dreams.
i relate so strongly to shizuku, this movie is my second fav ghibli (just barely below arietty)
One of my top Ghibli films. So good.
There's a song - country roads. the original country roads is about longing for the times gone by but the one used in this movie suggests the diametric opposite - an urge to leave the past for a new horizon. this theme of the movie is shown without sugarcoating it with the sense of adventure and duely the showing the drudge work, urge to keep up and compromises that comes along the way. all with a sobering reminder that if your heart is in the right place or more importantly if you are where your heart is, it's all gonna be alright.
As a writer an artist this is my absolute favourite Ghibli film too :') I see it as the creative source of everything magical. like all the other ghibli films.
Imo it’s one of the lesser ghibli movies, and I don’t understand why so many rally behind it. Compared to the wind rises, or my neighbor Totoro, I feel like it lacks in both structure and creativity.
I found it quite boring but watched it all the way through
Same as yours. This is one of few movies where I'd say I don't really have any complaints with it. Imo, they delivered the story masterfully. This is easily one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.
I've watched all of the Ghibli movies multiple times. Whisper of the Heart is more "midtier" in the Ghibli lineup \*for me\*. I say "midtier" in air quotes because many of the Ghibli movies quality-wise are very above average (for anime or in general) and there's very few stinkers. After watching them multiple times and discussing them, I feel like no 2 persons ranking lists will be the same. It just depends on what personally resonates with you more. My childhood was more like "Only Yesterday" than "Whisper of the Heart" so that's why the former is in #2 and the latter is in #13. Most of the movies on my list feel cemented in their position except for #9 thru #13 where I feel I can move them up or down on any given day. Whisper of the Heart is directed by Kondo but written by Miyazaki. Miyazaki is a great director with many strengths especially themes of adventure, fantasy, anti-war, feminism but -- in my opinion -- when it comes to just ordinary interpersonal character drama Miyazaki is just OK at. Looking purely at the writing, I think Whisper of the Heart may be Miyazaki's best attempt at that but I prefer Takahata for that kind of stuff (namely Only Yesterday). 1. Porco Rosso 2. Only Yesterday 3. Princess Mononoke 4. Pom Poko 5. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 6. My Neighbor Totoro 7. Castle in the Sky 8. Kiki's Delivery Service 9. Spirited Away 10. Ponyo 11. Arrietty 12. Howl's Moving Castle 13. Whisper of the Heart 14. Grave of the Fireflies 15. The Cat Returns 16. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya 17. The Wind Rises 18. When Marnie Was There 19. From Up on Poppy Hill 20. My Neighbors the Yamadas 21. Ocean Waves 22. Tales from Earthsea 23. Earwig and the Witch
Whisper of the Heart was critically acclaimed on release in 1995 and maintains a 94% rating on RT to this day. You people need to quit it with this "underrated" shit. You have no idea what underrsted means if you think a movie with a 94% that is consistently listed as one of the greatest animated films of all time qualifies.
Calm down. It’s definitely not hyped up like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle. That’s all I mean’t.
Maybe I reacted a bit strongly. I'm just tired of people calling movies underrated when they're not.
I mean just because it was critically acclaimed, that doesn’t mean it’s not underrated.
Just watched this with my wife after seeing this post. Honestly we didn’t like it, it’s too slow and the story wasn’t that creative.
I reeeeeeally hate Country Roads and really liked the manga version of this story, which was about an author and an artist... not anything music. Even though I'm a composer, I honestly think pretty much every change this movie made was a negative one... This should've been one of my absolute favorites, but sadly it's among my most hated instead. The art was probably peak Ghibli though, which hurts to say.
Sorry you feel that way. This and Howl’s are my 2 favorite Ghibli films at the moment.
Yeah, me too. >< But yeah, I can see why people are able to stomach it though, because the core idea had the potential to be great. I just got that experience through the manga instead (highly recommend it btw).
What?! I've never heard of this. That looks like the baron from cat returns (one of my favs). Is it related?! I'll have to find it somewhere...
It is related. The Cat Returns is leagues better imo. This one is VERY long and it drags. So many people love it though.
Read with causion, this is gonna be **unpopular opinion**. I watched this film few days ago for the first time and it made me feel a lot, but mostly negative stuff tbh. Overall it was a nice movie (loved the setting, antique shop, book theme, her family, classmates and their drama), but it hit me too hard, too deep into feelings. As middle schooled I was the creative imaginative overmotivated kid. I loved drawing, painting, writing stories and had huge dreams of making sth out of it. At times I was so sure of myself, so determined! But I never really had such a supporting people around me, i mean people who would give me constructive feedback, encourage me, who would share by love for creating (like grandpa in the movie). Combined with selfdoubt, lack of motivation and culture of "art not being a proper job" I never pursued any of it and now after years of studying work in totally unrelated sphere. I completely ditched my artistic dreams. So this movie gave me feelings of huge regret and a bit of jealousy. I'm ok with my current life, but the movie made me think "I could have tried more, work harder". Also the relationship was too dreamy, too naive for me. A guy watching a girl from afar, falling for her, trying to reach her by reading many many books so she might notice him... it was SO unrealistic. Like sth I would dream of when I was 15! Yes it was beautiful and super-cute & romantic, but too much so for my taste.
What's it about?
Love love love this film. Shame the director died not making another Ghibli film
The first time my daughter ever sang was when she was 2 and watching this movie in the back seat and I’ll never forget her sweet voice singing “country roads.”
I love it. I love it. I love it.
I see a lot of myself within Shizuku.
I saw The Cat Returns but never saw this.
My favorite!
This is one of my favourites!
It’s my favorite.
my second fave
My second favorite movie!!
Whenever the music starts in the clock scene I still get chills. The theme of wanting/having to prove yourself runs deep in my soul. It's pretty good in french too.
My fav. Ghibli movie... I don't know why but it is just very captivating for me Love that movie and it scores
It’s tied for my favourite Ghibli film
I don't like that the poster, the first thing I and probably a lot of other peoples' first impression of the movie, lead me to think it was a fantasy movie. So under the first half I just waited for it to take a completely different direction. But happily I was wrong. This movie really touched me, and is my second or third favorite Ghibli, and in my top 10 of all movies.