“I’m in love with you, Kazama San. Even if we’re related, even if you’re my brother… My feelings will never change.” And the soundtrack just came in and l still remember that l cried so bad at that scene... What a masterpiece.
I saw where someone addressed the plot twist so I'll reshare it here: "Ik people tend to dislike the relationship twist in this film, but I'd argue it actually encapsulates the sentiments of Japan at the time. Due to a significant destruction of family records, post-war Japan was fraught with a lot of instances where people did not know who their extended, or even their close family was, and there were cases where people ended up crushing on, dating, or even marrying cousins or half-siblings."
Haven't watched the video yet but I was just thinking this. Goro did great in this movie! Would love to see more from him like this. I didn't hate Tales from Earthsea and I didn't even hate Earwig, but I loved From Up on Poppy Hill.
Ah didn't know all that background, this film did feel underappreciated because it's simply enjoyable My input is...uh Australia was one of the main occupation forces on Japan post-war, so
I love how down to Earth this movie is. It's heartwarming to see all the students come together to save the cultural building, and I really like that we get to see them engage in cleaning and renovation. The central romance is satisfying, but I wish it didn't have that awkward twist. Thankfully, it's revolved in a satisfying way.
I was born in Japan in the 50s and I found this film nostalgic. It's true that nothing earth-shaking happens, but that's the charm of it. It's a slice of life film from the time of the Tokyo Olympics (The only Tokyo Olympics that matters).
This is literally my comfort movie of all time! I love the quiet, peaceful slice of life aspect to it, it reminds me of the comforting slowness of life I felt in my younger years where I thought the biggest changes wouldn't affect me just yet, and I had time to enjoy the calm. I'm quite sad that people don't really know much about it, and when they do they just say, "Oh, the ghibli movie with the weird sibling thing?" Like, it's more than that! I pretty much ignore that part of the storyline, and sometimes I just wish they could have changed it because if you really think about it it IS really weird. Like in my first watch it was unclear to me if they really were siblings since the ending was a bit too short. I wish they could have thought of some less kin-related dilemma for their relationship. Overall, it is and will always be my fave ghibli film!!!
I adore this movie!!! I'm always a little hesitant to show it to people since I'm not sure how they will react to the brother/sister twist, but I think it connects to the theming of the movie incredibly well! This movie is all about how the past connects us and it should not be forgotten and all of the plot lines relate to that. I like how this confusion leads Umi to connect more with her past through learning more about her father's life and meeting one of his best friends. I only wish that it would have been stated more clearly that they are not related, because it was a little vague on a first watch.
For real, I've watched this movie a handful of times and I'm still confused if they are actually related or not. There's so many different sources saying both yes and no and I don't know what to think anymore
The brother/sister twist skews the perspective and really shows how what we think we know affects our view of who we are. I thought it was done brilliantly!
6 месяцев назад
TBH, that's literally every soap opera ever. "Oh no! We cannot be together because we're cousins/siblings/whatever!" and then at the very end, something happens and it's revealed they are not in fact related to each and can live happy-forever-after. It was predictable, but unlike most soap operas it was well done and resolved.
@ I don’t know. I’ve never really watched a soap opera, unless you count wrestling back when I was a kid. Lol! I’m just glad they weren’t related, I’m a sucker for a happy ending. 🍻
6 месяцев назад
@@AwakeAtTheWheel I wrestled with soap operas as a kid too 😅 Specially when visiting my grandparents house... they'd sit in absolute silence while watching people cry rivers about "oh no I can't love you" etc. But yeah, I'm the same as you, I'm a sucker for happy endings, predictable or not!
I agree about this. It has parallels with "When Marnie was there " where we basically have a very tender teen bestie crush movie up until we find out the back story, but then even after that the incredible tenderness of Anna and Marnie is unsullied. I know a lesbian who says it's the best gay movie she's seen because it's extremely passionate but not about sexuality as such.
@@stevekane4922 I might have to watch that. Nice take. 🍻
6 месяцев назад
I love this movie because it's just these students doing things students of the time would do. There's all the arguing & political stances of the students and having meetings and such, that it's very '60s. All the characters feel natural and they're people of the time doing things and going to places like anyone else. There are no villains or heroes, and nothing life-shattering happens. It's just them, and their lives, and that moment in time when Japan (and many other countries) were having great cultural and technological changes. I really liked it, it's one my favourites together with "When Marnie was there".
I've watched Studio Ghibli films, and they're generally always superb, but this one has a special place. Like you said community is such a strong and comforting theme in the film: the club, her home, her relationship with her father, and how the friendships of the past, that of their fathers, connecting them in the present. Very warm and encouraging story.
It would honestly be one of my top ghibli films if it weren't for the weird incest plot line. It's very clear that in worse hands the film would be not much of anything I think if Goro ditches the fantastical and keeps creating films like this. really focusing on that nostalgia and sense of place. And can I talk about the music, jeez amazing.
I understand but there is a historical aspect of the plot line with a lot families going through something similar as they said in the movie post war. Also it entertains the idea of community and shared history. And on top of that in a way that is not cliche shows the viewer the tragedies in the two young adults that tie them together
First time I watched it I liked it but it was too unconfortable, but on second watch it turns into a comedy The deadpan stares they have whenever something romantic happens is hillarious, it's like they're screaming Bloody Incest everytime they get a little close The elevator scene and when Shun first sees the picture made me laugh out loud
Probably Goro Miyazaki's best film. Compared to Tales from Earthsea in which for some reason I always forget what happens or Earwig and the Witch which I still choose to ignore especially. It's a shame really, because this dude CAN direct as shown here. Back on topic, From Up on Poppy Hill is indeed an underrated gem from the studio and should indeed be better known.
I think it might be underrated in part because it is a Goro film. When I first saw it I had no idea who the director was and it was just another Ghibli movie. That probably was better as far as my expectations going in! It does seem like, if he even wants to make movies going forward, this is the kinda thing he should do - realistic, grounded, slice of life/drama
I enjoyed it. Movie had many creative angles to show the verticality of Poppy Hill and all the beautiful landscapes. It was refreshing to see a plot that didn't need some action-packed climax to make the story come full circle
From up on poppy hill has got to be by far my favourite movie of all time. Thank you for showing appreciation to this little slice of comfort of mine ❤️
This movie will always be my favorite. Is the plot boring? Yeah. Is the incest weird? Yeah. Is the art not handrawn like other Ghibli movies? Yeah. But it feels so magical for me. It's warm and homey and portrays a flawed yet idealistic world
Oh wow, Kokuriko-saka Kara is probably my favorite Ghibli film. I think I've watched it at least 8 times, it really ages like fine wine the more times you rewatch and enjoy it, immersing yourself in the atmosphere. Something I especially appreciate is just how quietly strong Umi is. She's the first one up, making all the meals, taking care of two siblings, going to school, helping with the club and clubhouse restoration, yet having to leave early when everyone else is winding down and enjoying themselves so she can go do groceries and make dinner. There's so much weight on her shoulders but she carries herself with such grace and fortitude, when the adults in her life have gone or are unable to help her. That's where Shun comes in, another good natured and kind hearted person who, someone also working hard at a young age, sharing her kindness and appreciation. And when they come together we see how they flourish and make the whole community a better place. Umi is the impetus for the restoration project, she's the one who proposes it, while Shun and Shirou do much to bind things together and lead. They're deserving of all love and the happy little ending works so well. It's a film that makes you appreciate the simple things, and that working hard with the right spirit and character is worthy of commemoration. Behind the scenes is the tragedy of Miyazaki Hayao and Gorou, that burden and conflict. As if a subtle plea from son to father to say, this may not be grand and sweeping, but there is beauty in basic earnest living. I think Gorou did an excellent job with this project, and I wish it was given more acknowledgement.
I probably should give his movies another chance. I remember watching Tales of Earthsea, but I can't remember anything about Tales of Earthsea. It wasn't bad. It was just *dull,* which is worse than bad. All that meticulous work put into something bland and forgettable almost feels like a crime in some way.
Of all the Ghibli films, this stands out the most for its pure vibes, its sense of time and place. There's this one scene where Umi goes down to the market around sunset, catching a ride on Shun's bike - the atmosphere is incredible, you get this immersive feel of 1960's Yokohama and you can almost smell the evening air. The Latin Quarter stands among Ghibli's most imaginative and well-executed set pieces IMO. It reminds me somewhat of Whisper of the Heart, being a story of young love with slice-of-life qualities, set in a hyper-specific 20th Showa era setting. Both are among my favorites honestly.
Thank you for being one of those defending Poppy, my favorite Ghibli film! Ghibli's standard is very high of course, so this movie will inevitably rank among its worst, but it has a certain charm to it I can't quite place with other Ghibli movies. You mentioned the themes of community and the story's context of 1960s Japan, and we came to the same conclusion: I think those are the reasons the film hits me so differently compared to the usual Ghibli themes of environment or spirituality. I'd like to also add something about the incest thing. I was really uneasy when I first watched as Umi declared love to Shun despite potentially being siblings. But I can understand it a little better now when I frame it as an administrative mix-up caused by Japan's 1960s zeitgeist of quickly moving on to become a modern, more outward-looking country while at the same time trying to preserve what makes their identity so unique. It must be confusing to be a Japanese at the time, and that kind of confusion regarding people's birth documentation probably happened more than a few times. When I try to understand it like that, Umi's confession becomes less of an incestual transgression and more of a brave conviction to go ahead with surpassing the confusion and allowing herself to love Shun. After all, but for the mix-up, Umi had only known Shun as a friend and naturally also as a teenage crush. They never saw each other as siblings, even after knowing about the official documentation. And then of course it's a huge relief when all this gets resolved at the end. So yeah, that's my-honestly not that strong-defense for the incest plotline. It would not have made the movie worse had it never existed, but I've at least come to a better understanding of why it gets included with my framing. Anyway, great video! I love your digression to philosophical talk and honestly feel compelled to check your other videos and subscribe! I hope you keep getting better and more comfortable at this RU-vid thing, haha :))
I'm Japanese living in Japan, I remember I watched this movie twice in the theater when it was released in 2011, I loved it. My mother is from Yokohama, she grew up in the exact time the story of this move takes place. She felt so nostalgic when she watched this, which means they did a good job showing the good old days of the city. I understand that some people would prefer more epic, dramatic story just like Princess Mononoke, or Spirited Away. Yes, this movies is quiet and even too realistic perhaps. I believe that the reason why this movie should be more evaluated is the way how they described the air of the area of Japan at that time, the time between the post-war and the rapid economic growth. There are some cultural references only my parents generation can tell such as a phrase from TV commercial at that time. You see, the history of the early 60s is somehow packed in this movie, it’s a GREAT movie.
You know, my opinion has changed after hearing yours. I will say, the idea about the youth preserving the past and not the old generation is actually very poignant when I thought about it. Thanks to you, my appreciation for From Up on Poppy Hill has gone up from a 6 to a 7/10.
I loved the movie (except for the incest plotline). I liked how simplistic it was, and how it was naturally comforting and familiar. I immediately wanted to rewatch it after seeing it for the first time.
I'm old, really old and I've watched from up on poppy hill nearly 30 times, I still love it and find new things in the story, I would have been the same age as her little brother in the real world. The fact that nothing much happen is a good thing, Flying Witch is the same, nothing happens and that's fine, it's always a good day when life just flows by.
Just like Only Yesterday this could easily have been a live movie that wouldn't have needed a particularly large budget but instead we get another beautifully animated movie! It's the attention to the backdrops and small details that makes it and all the Studio Ghibli movies so special!
I certainly love Ghibli's big sweeping fantasy movies, but I love their great slice-of-life movies just as much. From Up on Poppy Hill and Whisper of the Heart are movies I can throw on when it's a lazy rainy day and I just want to relax and watch something. And no matter how many times I've seen them I still enjoy every minute. The way Poppy Hill invites you into the little community of students is heartwarming and reminds me of parts of childhood in ways that few movies can. Even if the are they/are they not siblings plot is a little awkwardly executed, it never leaves a bad feeling in me. It's not the first Ghibli movie I'd recommend to a newbie, but it certainly would make the list if they were interested.
This is one of my favorite Studio Ghibli movies. I found the simple slice of life to be very charming. On the other hand, I can easily see the "This might be incest" fake out making parts of the movie uncomfortable, especially before the reveal that it's a fake out.
I am a big fan of Gilbly studios but they are not unique. In fact they are a copy of Hergé style. Hergé was doing comic books but the drawing style and the attention to details are the same. Just an example of this; Hergé once redraw a book he had almost finished when he noticed that license plates from Scotland were not the same colours he had drawn them.
It's actually one of my favourites Studio Ghibli movies, together with Only yesterday and Whisper of the heart. Oh, and forgot to mention When Marni was there
Seems like Only yesterday shares it's heart with this one. I somehow feel equally content watching either, although from upon poppy hill stands out for me
A thing I read somewhere online about the "are-they-related" plot line is that in post-war era when you lost your relatives either in death or you just never reconnected because you didn't know who was alive, you wouldn't know who you were related to. And them figuring that out was a way to find an identity before they could decide on what to do next in the relationship. Or at least I think that's a justification for having it in there.
i found it delightfully charming until the incest storyline was revealed, then i was uncomfortable for the rest of the film and only kept watching to make sure they weren't actually related. it would have definitely been a favorite of mine if they had scrapped that part of their love story, regardless of whether it was historically inspired/accurate or not. the girl's confession seriously grossed me out.
Its just so complicated. The Imperial Japanese government asked for it, I mean they were bloodthirsty yet so many orphans come out of WW2 with broken family lineages.
Its not so black and white… Imperial japan was basically a dictatorship. There were many who did not really want war or did not fully support it but any resistance was brutally crushed by the miliatary/ police. Many people were forced to fight and lost their lives
I think the incest plot twist was kinda make sense, because their fathers died during the war so misinformation about everything must be a common thing.
I absolutely love this movie. It was absolutely beautifully shot and I adore slice of life stories in general. Movies do not need to have high stakes to be entertaining or touching. I know this is the walking simulator or farming sim of games, but that is definitely not a bad thing.
It has a lot of similarities to a Takahata film in terms of how real the world is and how real the characters and their actions are within it. It even takes place in the same decade as the beautuful Taeko flashbacks in Only Yesterday. 😊
I honestly find the more down to earth Ghibli movies to stick in my mind after I watch them more than the more fantastical ones. Poppy hill and Whisper of The Heart are very similar, yet hasn't failed to make me admire it all the more.
Thank you for talking about this one! I've only seen it once so far in my journey through all the Ghibli films, but I remember I got more pure _delight_ out of this one than many others, because I relate SO much to the nerds! 😆 There aren't many films that portray the passionate geeks in a completely positive light -- we're usually the comic relief, or just "the smart one" who makes random "smart" comments throughout a film. This one is ALL ABOUT those lovable passionate geeks, and I felt so _at home_ with them. Long live the nerds!! I also love well-done slice-of-life stories, and it makes me so sad that a lot of people would say they're "boring" because they're not break-neck-pace action. They're missing out on so much meaning!
Talk Akira toryima for dragonball for example we talk about him because of what he did and Stephen Hillenburg for spongebob talking about this movie is gonna be controversial
This is my absolute favorite Ghibli film. It’s cozy as heck and doesnt need to tell an epic tale. If some of your favs are totoro and kiki, give this a shot.
Loved your review! That bit about the sense of community is so true. I loved this movie because the romance was so cute, then SURPRISING, but then it was resolved and finally became really, really, hot. 🤣 I also loved the Tokyo inspector for the clubhouse. Best character for sure. 👌 The bicycle animation was insanely good, and the overall aesthetic of the movie led me to give it a 10/10.
@@mischr13 At the end of the conversation you're referencing, Umi suggests that the boy could still be her brother if her dad had lied about him. And the mom agrees. So it's not totally confirmed that they're not siblings until the end of the movie.
@@dylak4560 right. I guess I just see it as different than a "twist" bc it's not unexpected. we weren't told one thing happened and then it turned out it didn't. we were told one thing happened, there is a possibility it didn't cuz we weren't there, then we get it confirmed. The first time I watched it I thought they were going to have to go their separate ways bc even though they knew the official story they couldn't know for sure and couldn't have that hanging over them. It'd be a message about the trauma and ripple effects of war in ways you don't expect. Which made it very satisfying for me at the end when they do get confirmation of what happened, our couple is set free, and we still get a movie about the after effects of war
Thank you for this nice video essay. I hold this movie and "Whisper of the Heart" aside from the rest of Studio Ghibli movies and love them for their focus on daily life and the emotions of young people. I've watched both more times than many of the more fantastic Miyazaki movies.
