Anime: Mimi o Sumaseba

Review
Studio Ghibli carved its name in the late 80's and early 90's with a good deal of fantasy. Its titles were all superb pieces of imaginative worlds where mystical monsters roamed, tales about fantastic lands filled with mysteries, or even alternative realities with a decent dose of whimsical characters developed. Only the masterful Grave of the Fireflies used our harsh reality as a setting, but even then it was about an out-of-norm story where you could cry your wits out but had little in the way of mirroring the life of any possible audience.

Mimi o Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart) comes to change that. Instead of all the magical sparkle or the darkness of tragedy, this is a light romance about an average girl and an average boy, a tale without much of grandeur or fantasy, but a masterwork nonetheless. This is Tsukishima Shizuku's story, a bookworm girl experiencing her first love, facing the agony of waiting, and the thrill of discovery.

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1. It's Ghibli
   Despite lacking the magic, Whisper of Heart still feature some classical Ghibli characteristics. Shizuku is a vibrant, strong, and charming lead searching who she really is. At first she is an energetic force roaming through books, her school, and the library, yet when she experiences love at first sight things start to change around her, putting her on a path of discovery and trial. The studio's amazing animation capability and character design once again fuel a cast that is incredibly capable of demonstrating a large array of emotions and Shizuku is the major winner this time around.
   
   It doe shave a bit of magic though
   Shizuku is a bookworm with great creativity and that alone is enough to give us a few scenes where her imagination take us to magical lands. There's also a mysterious shop filled with exquisite items and ran by an old man with a few stories of his own. These, along with the vibrant scenery of modern Japan, give us a sweet combination typical to Studio Ghibli and on par with the highest quality shows of its time.
   
   A light romance
   Shizuku is a vibrant girl going through puberty and acting like one. The heart of the tale goes around her meetings with Amasawa Seiji, her trips to the mysterious shop, and finally her trial as she waits for a response to her love. It's a sweet slow paced sequence of common events given the typical teenage spice, yet it feels so natural it is hard to find faults in it. This is no romance boosted by supernatural elements, there's nothing truly impacting the events, only things that could happen to anyone, at any time, and for multiple reasons. Whisper of the Heart succeeds in its teen romance because of that.
   
   Family
   There's more to Shizuku's life than her romance though, and that is carefully introduced to you via her family and one of her friends. It helps that this is a serious work, so her parents are people with the behavior of adults and not pricks as in most teen romances around. They, along with her older sister, take measures to understand her problems while also acting as responsible people would, demanding from her and giving her space. These small side characters may seem just too simple at first glance, but they are the ones making all this tale as realistic and charming as possible.
   

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Comments
Whisper of the Heart is simply one of sweetest romances around. It is simple, direct, and masterfully animated. It is a teaching that a slice-of-life can shine if given just a tiny bit of realism to its support cast and a solid understanding of the protagonists. Modern shows from could learn from it once again, as it seems many are trying too hard to dramatize and giving too much importance to cuteness that they fall short of where it really matters.

The Highlights:

Slow pacing: Done to perfection.
Ending: Fantastic.
Characters: As likable as can be.
Romance: Heart-warming.
Story: Realism and fantastical elements combined beautifully.

The Review:

I have never particularly been a fan of Olivia Newton-John; but the moment her cover of “Country Roads” started playing and was accompanied by purple letters spelling out Whisper of the Heart in the center of the screen, something inside me knew I was about to watch a masterpiece.

Whisper of the Heart is a beautiful motion picture which has stunned, and continues to stun me to this day. The story revolves around Tsukishima Shizuku, who like most young adults, is questioning what she really wants in life. She has a dream of becoming a novelist, but doubts herself and her ability. Among the people who shape her journey is Amasawa Seiji, a boy her age who is passionately following his unique dream to become a violin maker. Together they form one of the most memorable romances in anime.

The predominant theme is the question of whether to follow the regular norms of society and conform, or have the bravery and willingness to follow your dreams. At the center of this is Shizuku who has to make the choice. While this may be a common theme, few anime, movies, or even novels I have read, present the idea in such a successful and touching manner. There may be some fantastical elements, but they are combined with a realistic story and a down to earth setting in a way in which the plot does not feel far-fetched. The way Shizuku finds the answer to this overwhelming question through other characters is quite brilliant. The words of advice Seiji’s grandfather gives to her, along with his personal life story, make for some of the most powerful sections of the picture.

Some have complained the action progresses much too slowly, but I must insist that the slow pacing is a vital part of the movie. The way Shizuku’s daily life is depicted and builds up to her eventual becoming is what makes this anime a piece of art. It also makes the ending, which is about as close to perfection as can be, that much better. The Japanese title of this picture literally translates to “if you listen closely”, so listen closely. Watch closely as well. It will not seem slow if you do so. It will seem life-like. It will beat as a heart and whisper its message in a way few anime do.

The music is good. Some beautiful piano music accompanies the action throughout the movie and “Country Roads” plays a symbolic role as Shizuku journeys through the roads of life. The artwork is satisfactory with a few moments where it becomes extraordinary; especially Shizuku’s dream sequences of the Baron, and the wood engraving of the imprisoned musician created by Miyazaki Hayao’s son, Keisuke. It symbolizes the imprisonment of passion and the importance of letting it out of the cage. One should let their soul free to fly and sing as it chooses. The characters are superb and the relationships between them feel so real it is touching.

At one point Seiji’s grandfather tells Shizuku that people aspiring to become or do something can be like diamonds. They may not be perfect in their raw state, but through thorough polishing and hard work can become beautiful. Whisper of the Heart is not a raw diamond; it is a gem among anime.

If you read it, rate it or leave a comment!

Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whispers of the Heart) has now been released in R1 and this review is occasioned by that release. It features excellent english voice actors and 5.1 sound, in my opinon as good as the original. The translation is dynamic (so sometimes the exact translation is not used, but the sense conveyed) and the words fit the movements of the mouth quite well; Disney did the English production, so you can imagine the quality. The transfer is technically excellent. However, the review is based on DVD Jn audio with Eng subs (to match our usual viewing style).

Have you ever watched a movie that has more heart than action, more character than plot, more warmth than heat? That's Mimi wo Sumeseba, a classic Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece directed by him and his closest understudy Yoshifumi Kondô that deserves a favorite place among other kids classics like Wizard of Oz or National Velvet.
While it does have a plot, the action and plot serve to give Miyazaki (who wrote and storyboarded, as well as directing the fantasy sequence) the chance to spin a story that creates a slice-of-life look at his main character Shizuku's middle school years. Typical of Miyazaki heroines, she's coming of age, she finds romance in unusual ways, and she has a fantastic experience with a very unusual cat.

The movie is much like the The Cat Returns (and which features both Muta, the cat, and Baron, the cat statue, from that movie), largely because it comes from the same source (manga by Aoi Hiiragi). Additionally, you'll see several easter-egg references to other Miyazaki works, such as Porco Rosso, Kiki, and Grave of the Fireflies. Oh, and be sure to watch the end credits for more story. It's a charming, warm and interesting slice-of-life fantasy for all ages.

Animation: Studio Ghibli just does not produce bad animation, and this is no exception. The staff that worked on it numbers in the hundreds. It's brilliant. Fantastic backgrounds that move, no use of static cells or repeats. Liberal cinematics, and an excellent use of conventional film shot selections make this almost live-action in quality. Faces move, real-world physics (for the most part) and because Miyazaki did much of the storyboarding, a tight script. It's beautiful, and you'll love it. 10 is earned (ok, 9.7 but it's a 10 here).

Sound: The english translation is close enough so the American audience would not be lost (-1 for dynamic translation but that's all). The voice actors, including Cary Elwes as the Baron, all add weight to the original voice actors, who tended to be somewhat lighter in character. The original seiyuu were excellent, led by 24-yr-old Youko Honna (Taeko Okajima in Only Yesterday). She also sings the ending song, Country Roads. The foley work is excellent, and the outdoor ambience is fleshed out nicely. Soundtage is full, directional, and fully realized in an immersive experience. Foley is spot-on, and there are a number or wow moments in the audio, from wind noise while riding bike, to background music that moves to tears. No gaffs, and the 5.1 sound is breathtaking. 10 here.

Story: I don't find any pacing flaws, as some have comments. It's a slow-build story, but designed to be that way, as some of Kurosawa's work where the character is prime. The theme is a girl who is working her way thru books in middle school, and most of the books she checks out have the same name before hers: Seiji Amasawa. She meets him in the classic "meet-cute" of romantic-comedies, but the plot takes some unusual turns that will keep you interested and guessing. Sure, it is a little slow start, but it gives the actors time to develop their characters. 9 for story, higher if you don't mind the fact that there aren't sword fights.

Character: If you don't absolutely love the characters after the first 10 minutes, you never will. They are moe cute, as many of Miyazaki characters are. Animated with rounded curves that belong in Europe (many of Miyazaki's stories have vaguely European settings), these are adorable, very touching characters, who develop spectacularly thru the movie. I can't think of any way they could be improved, even though they really don't get much to do. 9 here.

Value and Enjoyment: I feel as though my $22.00 were put to good use in purchasing this exceptional transfer. There are good caps available also, including one by SSP-Corp and another by niizk, if you are loath to part with earned money. For my part, I enjoyed the series enough to own it, because someday, I hope to share it with the grandkids. If you're a fan of Miyazaki, you'll value the discs and enjoy them as much as I did. 10 on value, 9 on enjoyment. To me, it's that good.

Conclusion: Feel like spending a pleasant 111 minutes with a very cute Jr. Hi gal as she comes of age, and falls for her first guy? And has a mystery and a fantasy at the same time? Want to watch something with excellent backgrounds, great animation, and great sound (in Japanese or English)? Look no further, this classic should be in your library. And don't lose your copy!

Whisper of the heart, like most ghibli movies, has plenty of atmosphere. It also happens to have a compelling main character. While Whisper of the Heart is a multi-faceted slice of life story, it still feels like it lacks a little direction. The romance helps bind the story together, but the first half and the second half don't seem to mesh perfectly.

Olivia Newton John's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is the first thing you hear when the movie starts. Whisper of the Heart takes this time to establish Shizuku's, our main character's home. Although she lives in the outskirts of Tokyo, there is an element of hospitality that's not too different from the hospitality associated with the American country side. The nostalgia Whisper of the Heart can invoke is all in the details. The smallest nuances of the seasonal Tokyo outskirts are documented here. Even if some of her classmates are a bit corny and unnatural, Shizuku's simple life seems real.

Established as the homey atmosphere is, the story doesn't seem to have the same level of care put into it. It is split between a weakly developed romantic relationship, and a small journey of self discovery. I get the feeling that the latter is the focus of the movie, but it's hard to say. The real story doesn't seem to occupy any of the first half of the movie. The first half is a bunch of random slice of life like events, some of which work to introduce the characters that are actually important to the story, but most establish characters, like Shizuku's classmates, that don't even make an appearance in the second half. Whisper of the Heart ends up trying to continue the love story in the second half of the movie, as well as follow Shizuku on her attempts of self discovery. Her journey as a writer feels whole and conclusive, but it's really only elaborated on in half of the movie. What binds the slice of life elements and the character development is the love story that's present in both halves of the movie. While it gets plenty of drama, the development of the relationship itself feels a little jumpy and hurried. Shizuku's male counterpart is unbearably corny, and he doesn't get much screen time either. For the level of corniness put into Whisper of the Heart to work, the level of the viewer's involvement and understanding in the relationship needs to be pretty thorough, and it just didn't deliver that to me. I kinda just cringed every time the guy said something cheesy. Unlike the love story in Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke, it's not exactly quick and painless. It is in many ways just as cute though, and the occasional eye-rolling scenes are forgivable.

Overall, Shizuku's search for a path in life is one that hits home, and it seems to be the main focus, even if it's not given the majority of the plotline. Whisper of the Heart is a difficult feature to dislike, what with its engrossing setting and all, but it is jumbled, and lacking in direction.

For a good while now, in every review, I have always tried to explain exactly why I liked or disliked an anime. As time has shown, this is one of the more maddening principles that I have taken up. Occassionally, a case comes up in which I am at a complete loss to understand what factors influenced my opinion.

Whisper of the Heart is such an anime. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about whether this movie is good. On the contrary, I am absolutely certain that WotH is a classic, and needs to be seen by everyone. What does perplex me, however, is exactly what makes this anime so incredibly satisfying. There are no especially memorable plot points. The characters, while definitely likeable, are very typical of what we would expect from a Ghibli film - amiable, uncomplicated, and generic. Of course, the animation is outstanding in traditional Ghibli fashion, but this alone shouldn't be enough to save the film. I admit I enjoyed the soundtrack immensely, but why? The main theme, "Country Road," is a song that I have previously heard and disliked. The anime is remarkably slow moving, and by all logic should be a dull, mind-numbing experience similar to Niea Under 7.

Fortunately for us, WotH does not conform to "logic." Throughout the movie, Ghibli neatly avoids all perceivable pitfalls that tend to afflict this kind of down-to-earth, everyday sort of anime. I was never bored throughout the entirety of the show, and was immensely satisfied by the relatively undramatic, no frills plot.

Perhaps WotH's main strength is its sheer idealism. Other people have mentioned that the anime is "realistic," and I heavily disagree with them. WotH does in no way mimic what I would define as "real life." Rather, it provides something much, much better: a purposefully imperfect reflection of what real life SHOULD be. Consider, for instance, a scene where the main character's parents discover that her grades are rapidly falling. A rather predictable scene follows shortly after, a "talk" in which the parents confront the child and demand a reason for the severe drop in class rank. The result of this conversation is by no means realistic; this does not, however, make the scene any less heartwarming. In its earnest simplicity, the movie does far more than a "real" anime ever could.

This theory does a lot to explain why the soundtrack is so incredibly good. Both the instrumental tracks and the aforementioned theme song, "Country Road," would be incredibly corny for just about any other anime. However, for this one, the songs work. Like the anime, they reflect a completely untainted world outlook. Though in weaker films the soundtrack would most likely drown in the viewer's cynicism, in WotH the OST blooms into something unexpectedly beautiful.

In the end, it doesn't really matter what makes WotH so great; the end result is far too satisfying. By the end of the show, you really feel like you know the characters through and through. I'd say it is impossible not to love them. Likewise, the coming-of-age storyline, while slow, somehow manages to seep into every fiber of your being and in the end provides a truly satisfying experience. As mentioned before, the OST is absolutely brilliant and is pretty much the perfect pick for a film such as this. Add in the oustanding animation, filled with loving detail and impressive fluidity, and you've got yourself a truly excellent movie. I don't think I've gotten so much pure, unadulterated joy from a film in a long, long time.

The power of this anime is the fact that isn't happening anything special.

The animation is gorgeous. Just look at the sceneries, look at the character movements and the way everything makes up for such a lovely, beautiful atmosphere. This anime can make you feel like you've never really looked at the sky before.
The characters look exactly like Ghibli-characters, but they move astonishing well, compared to most other anime.

The voices of the characters fit them very well. Especially the protagonist, since her voice isn't really fit for singing, and she still sings sometimes. Gives the anime already a more realistic taste :)
The OP/ED song are really tasteful as well. Also because they keep returning in the storyline itself. While the OP-song is the english version of 'Country Roads', the anime itself also contains the Japanese version and several alternatives.

The story is good because there doesn't happen anything special. This would be probably best qualified as 'drama', although the Ghibli-dramas usually aren't really dramatic. They just tell the daily story of someone, which gives you a feeling of looking at an animated diary, which, somehow, isn't even boring. Instead, the story is so smooth and so more realistic than everything else you've seen on normal tv, that this can definitely be described as the power of this anime. Although the plot doesn't have anything special, the way of telling things give it that special atmosphere which just 'makes' this anime where all other movies would fail.

The characters are very nice, pretty round characters. The design of them is good, typically Ghibli, but also shows the young kids in a more mature way than usual, since this isn't the usual fantasy-movie. Because this is a more mature, realistic movie, they have done the characters in a different, more mature design.
They all develop in some way, but one develops more than another. The protagonist develops pretty much, and you'll probably recognise that very soon already. Also all other characters, even if they don't really develop, have very nice designs, which fit them and give the anime a certain specific atmosphere. Think of the parents of the protagonist. Although they are no important characters, they still add quite some particular value to the atmosphere at her home.
Still, I think they forgot about developing the best friend of the protagonist, which is why this section doesn't get the full mark.

This movie is very much worth rewatching, especially because it's ageless. Even though it was made in 1995, it doesn't show any age in the story. It's still realistic and faces current problems in the story, subjects which will always be in the society.
If you expected another 'Spirited Away' with a fantasy setting, this will disappoint you since this is 100% earth. If you expect anything action-like, you will be disappointed too.
If you can enjoy the story about the life of a girl, a girl who just gets to the age where they're supposed to work on their own future at school, then this is especially what you're looking for.
Still, imo this is probably one of the best anime movies I've ever seen and will be on the first place for a very long time, considering it's also the best Ghibli story to me.