Taeko Okajima is a twentysomething office lady who's going on a vacation by
the countryside. Memories of her childhood come flooding back as she boards
the train, and Taeko remembers various events that took place when she was in
the fifth grade. Eventually, Taeko's fifth grade self helps her realize what's
most important in her life...
Only Yesterday Anime Review
The few people I know who've watched Only Yesterday have tagged it as a bit on
the slow side, but that did not keep me from getting it on DVD. After all, no
Studi Ghibli production has ever disappointed me in all my years of anime
viewing and I was confident that this would be just as good as the rest of
their releases.
Only Yesterday is a nostalgia piece which exemplifies good old-fashioned
storytelling. It unfolds from Taeko's perspective. Her present day life is
interspersed with recollections of her past, such that you get to know her as
a whole person and not just as the main character of a film.
Taeko goes off to the province in order to try out a farmer's life for a short
while, working on the fields and enjoying rustic pleasures such as eating
fresh produce and taking in clean air. Taeko is soon torn as she thinks about
her life in fast-paced and crowded Tokyo, more so when she finds what seems to
be the perfect guy for her on the farm.
Will she go back to her life in the city or stay and settle down in the
country? Only Yesterday movie gathers a handful of vignettes from Taeko's life, with
everything building up to the momentous climax when Taeko finally makes the
most important decision of her life.
I never felt bored while watching Only Yesterday anime. Taeko fleshes out so well
that I found myself concerned with what was going to happen to her. Taeko's
past and present life experiences proved to be equally involving and
entertaining, and the multiple transitions from then to now were incredibly
smooth.
Only Yesterday 1991 gives us a good glimpse of the Japanese culture, particularly
how the typical Japanese family is structured and what values they instill in
the young.
As can be expected of Studio Ghibli, Only Yesterday boasts of impressive and
finely detailed art and animation. Each scene looked as if it was meticulously
handpainted. I actually felt refreshed just watching the exceptionally smooth
visuals unfurl.
Character designs are simple but pleasant, albeit on several occasions I
thought the grown-up Taeko looked much too old for her age. The soft and
understated musical scoring also served to enhance the film perfectly.
Though simple in terms of plot and theme, Only Yesterday is an extraordinarily
told story that many of us can relate to and derive something from. Although
I'd wholeheartedly recommend it, it might prove to be a tad too languidly
paced for those who prefer more action than interaction.
Miscellanies: Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday Studio Ghibli is about 2 hours in length. It has not yet been released in the
United States.
Only Yesterday (Omoide Poroporo) | |
| Genre | Drama, Romance, Slice of Life |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 1 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | Jul 20, 1991 |
| Producers | Tokuma Shoten |
| Studio | Studio Ghibli |
| Rating | G - All Ages |
| Themes | - |
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