Takahata does it again, as he delivers another masterpiece.
Only Yesterday is a story about a woman named Taeko who travels back to
countryside who looks back at time as a young highschool girl, while thinking
about the future. This movie right from the get is simply heartwarming as the
characters that are featured in Taeko's flashbacks seem real and rich as they
have sense of reality about them. The dialogue featured in the movie is fantastic,
as it doesn't feel scripted. The art of this movie is stunning, as the backgrounds
at times feel and look like pieces of art. As this is a Ghibli film, make
sure you watch all of the final credits, as you will be treated to one of the
best endings in anime.
Only Yesterday is a very typical Japanese show, which
means it is viewable ONLY in Japanese. The character are so unmemorable to a degree
I found myself unable to recall a single character's name after merely 3 days
from watching it. What is more important here is that it forefronts the childhood
memories of a 27 year Japanese woman. Those memories take place in the 50's and
60's and emphasize the situation of Japan in a post-WWII era. Everything here
from traditions to the style of talking speaks Japanese. Even one TV show in the
show was indeed aired (in real world) during the corresponding era. This show
teaches many things about Japan in that era and some form the modern era, and
thus I consider this more a documentary show than it being a 'for sheer fun' anime.
So if you're interested in the culture of Japan (I do), you should check this
out. Other casual viewers, it's an average show for you, but you won't lose anything
if you give a try. Remember, watch for education instead of fun ^^
(4.5)
