(aka "Omohide poro poro " or "Only Yesterday" or "Memories of Teardrops" or "Memories of Yesterday")

 

directed by Isao Takahata
Japan 1991

 

This is my favorite anime 'till date, mostly because of the very pleasant detailed animation and strongly poignant story. Like Isao Takahata's previous work "Grave of the Fireflies", this is not about fantasy and is deeply concerned about capturing the emotional struggles and hardships of the young, even though now everything happens in a normal peaceful environment.

It is hard to believe you are watching an anime, only in a few scenes where dreams are being materialized in the screen the idea of animation becomes evident. This could easily become a live-action movie and because of the theme it should have a stronger appeal to more mature audiences, although i can't see a single element in the whole movie that would increase its classification beyond PG. But... Disney seems to think different since I read they blocked the American release of this anime because of a few scenes about girls' first period. Since more than 15 years have passed with no release it seems it will never happen. I'm not sure if this is the real reason why no American release came out 'till now, in my opinion the scenes are subtle and no language or direct comments are used. This is indeed a very pleasant and family safe anime. but asks for a larger attention span than most anime and movies do to reach the end and conclusion.

The story follows the memories of the early adolescence of Taeko, through flashbacks, and the present time of her life while she travels to the country during vacation. Because the main character is a woman and the story is concerned about her development, in Japan the original manga is classified as Josei, which is a term used for stories destined to adult women. But make no mistake, such classifications are quite ridiculous, the story here is universal and even in Japan is has been a success for more than a decade among men and women of all ages.

I see the overcoming of one's past and the fear of seizing the chances as the main point, but the movie presents many other rich aspects that are brought up during the development and experiences of the main character. Themes like generation conflicts, family relationships, puberty, nature, rural life, simple living and love make this anime resemble some of the ideas found in the works of Yoji Yamada and even Yasujiro Ozu.

But similarities can also be found among many other animes, mainly Isao Takahata's, but "Ocean Waves / I Can Hear the Sea", an Studio Ghibli anime made for TV and directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, is an example of another exceptional work quite similar to this one, where the memories of high school life and romance of the main characters are depicted.

Overall I couldn't recommend this anime more, it will surely have a special place in your collection of animes and movies.

Luiz R.


Poster

 

Theatrical Release: 07/20/1991

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Studio Ghibli (Studio Ghibli Collection (2-Disc Set)) - Region 2 - NTSC

Big thanks to Luiz R. for the Review!

DVD Box Cover

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Distribution

Studio Ghibli

Region 2 - NTSC

Runtime 119 min
Video

16:9 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.84 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate

Audio Japanese Dolby Digital (2.0)
Subtitles Japanese, English, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Studio Ghibli

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 16:9

Edition Details:
• Dual Layered DVD
• Dual Layered DVD w/extras (no subtitles)
• 46-minute Making-of featurette
• Storyboard

DVD Release Date: 03/06/2003
Keep Case

Chapters 25

 

Comments:

Even though this is a 5-year old release, the quality is excellent. I can't really find any complaints, it is an standard Studio Ghibli DVD9 (dual-layered) release that comes with the overscan prevention bars, as usual. I also noticed some interlacing, it is not present all the time, but you can easily see it in some scenes (check the captures).

The English subtitles are excellent and if I am not mistaken there are even some explanation notes during the movie.

The second DVD has some interesting extras, but no subtitles are available.

 - Luiz R.

 



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Interlacing....

 

 

 

 


DVD Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...

Distribution

Studio Ghibli

Region 2 - NTSC




 

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