The Kid Inside: Only Yesterday

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Greetings, one and all!  It’s time once again for another review from yours truly.  And of course, with it being Miyazaki May, I’ve got another Ghibli classic on the chopping block.  Well, okay, maybe it’s not a classic that people can name right off the bat, but it’s still pretty good.  So enough of the chit-chat and let’s get on with this week’s review of Only Yesterday.
Only Yesterday follows twenty-seven year old Taeko.  As she travels to the countryside of Yamagata to harvest safflower, she thinks back to when she was in the fifth grade.  That’s pretty much the gist of the film, well except the ending.  When her vacation comes to a close, the relatives she’s been staying with offer her to stay and even marry the organic farmer she’s been making friends with named Toshio.  This upsets her and she storms off, only to be brought back by Toshio.  The following morning, she leaves for home.  But as the credits roll and her fifth grader self overcomes her, she comes back to Yamagata to see Toshio again.  Though it is not directly mentioned, Taeko decides to stay and starts dating Toshio.  Oh, and interesting fact, one unique aspect to this film is that it was originally released in 1991.  However, it didn’t make it to North American audiences until 2016.
So yeah, the film itself is pretty self-explanitory.  It’s simple and yet beautifully told.  And so I give Only Yesterday an eight out of ten.  I think the biggest highlight of the film was the story, particularly with the flashbacks.  There’s just something about Taeko’s fifth grader days that’s so charming.  Granted, I feel that’s a bit odd to say given that there’s a point where periods are mentioned among Taeko and her friends.  So, while there are some mature topics discussed amongst these young people, the feeling of looking back at a time when all you had to worry about was dividing fractions just woos you in a way.  It’s especially true with this film.
So as charming as this film can be, there is one down side.  Much of the Studio Ghibli films that the current generation is familiar with are the fun and magical movies.  Only Yesterday is not one of those movies.  There really isn’t a whole lot going on in this movie, besides Taeko’s flashback.  So don’t expect getting whisked away to a land of spirits or forest gods.  It’s because of that that the movie can be a little boring (makes you wonder why it took over twenty years for this film to get dubbed in the first place).  Still, it’s an all around sweet and touching film with deep and mature thought put into it.  Don’t miss this one if you’re a Ghibli fan!
So while Only Yesterday is an unsung film in the Ghibli archives, watching it will make you appreciate your fifth grade self.  This film is available for purchase wherever anime is sold.  Also, the dubbed version includes the voice talents of Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Daisy Ridley as Taeko, Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel as Toshio, and a handful of other famous anime voice over actors (trust me, it was fun picking out which voices I recognized).  And so that ends this week’s post!  As for the third part, I have decided to skip Grave of the Fireflies this year.  This means that I will be doing a Ghibli-themed reaction for Sunday instead.  Still, I’m sure that it will not disappoint.  And finally, before I go, and while it’s still fresh on my mind, I want to wish all you moms out there a happy and wonderful Mother’s Day- especially my own mom.  She’s been a great person to come to the past few months when things were absolute hell, and I know that if anyone deserves a day to herself, it’s her!  Anyways, Happy Mother’s day to all you moms out there and stay tuned next week for my Ghibli-themed live video reaction!

-Hanime on Anime
Only Yesterday Official English Dub Trailer

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