Takahata & Other Classics

A collection of 5 films from esteemed Studio Ghibli directors such as Isao Takahata.

Studio Ghibli is often referred to as the Disney of the East. Japanese animated films of only the highest quality have emerged from Studio Ghibli since its establishment in 1985, with several of these films having won awards. The TAKAHATA & OTHER CLASSICS collection features 5 classic Studio Ghibli films including the 2002 feature THE CAT RETURNS.

Related links:
Studio Ghibli Web site

The Movies

Only Yesterday (PG)
Year: 1991

Only Yesterday revolves around Taeko, a single woman working a desk job in Tokyo in 1982, taking a vacation in the countryside with the family of her sister in-law. During her vacation, Taeko finds herself looking back at her time as a young schoolgirl growing up in 1966. The film flips back and forth between the two time periods with a lot of nostalgia and beautiful country scenery as Taeko sorts out her flashbacks and tries to make some tough decisions about her future.

Pom Poko (PG)
Year: 1994

Tanuki are little raccoon-like creatures that appear in classical Japanese literature and possess legendary powers, such as the ability to transform themselves into statues or other beings. ‘Pom Poko’ presents a new Tanuki legend, telling of their attempts to stop humans over-developing their forest home in Tama Hills. Celebrating the history of Japanese storytelling, this film pays homage to many old tales and adopts a traditional style of music throughout. In depicting the desperate and at time tragic plight of the lovable Tanuki, as their forest home is literally paved over and new housing built, director Isao Takahata offers a reminder of what is at stake as a result of over-crowding in present-day Japan.

Whisper of the Heart (G)
Year: 1995

Shizuku Tsukishima is a bit of a book-worm, spending her last summer vacation in junior high school reading and translating popular foreign music into Japanese. With aspirations to one day become a writer, Shizuku can't help but notice that the name Seiji Amasawa appears on every one of the books she borrows from the library. Through a series of curious and magical incidents, she comes to meet Seiji and discovers he has dreams of becoming a famous violinmaker in Italy. While their life-long goals pull them in two different directions, Shizuku and Seiji are determined to remain true to their strong feelings for one another.

My Neighbors the Yamadas (G)
Year: 1999

Completely different from standard Studio Ghibli animation, this film consists of rough sketches in outline form, with soft colours reminiscent of watercolour painting. As opposed to the often mystical nature of many Miyazaki films, director Isao Takahata has chosen the everyday activities of family life, based upon a popular Japanese comic strip of the same title. Favouring character portrayal over plot, Takahata’s film is a wonderfully simple and wry look at the Yamada family: mother Matsuko and father Takashi; their son Noboru and daughter Nonoko; Shige, Matsuko's mother; and Pochi, the family dog. Irresponsible, slovenly and lazy, the Yamada family and their unassuming way of life leave a delightfully humorous yet poignant impression upon the viewer.

The Cat Returns (G)
Year: 2002

Based on the Japanese fantasy adventure story “Neko no Danshaku, Baron” (“Baron, the Cat Baron”) by Aoi Hiiragi, this film follows the adventures of a young girl named Haru, who is unknowingly drawn into the secret world of cats. After saving a cat from being hit by a car, Haru is then told that this cat was actually the prince of the cat kingdom, and finds herself pledged to marry him as a reward for her heroic act. Luckily Haru is protected and guided by a big, fat, white cat called Muta and a smaller cat known as the Baron (both of whom appeared in the earlier Ghibli film, "Whisper of the Heart"), who set out to rescue the young girl from having to marry the prince of the cat kingdom, which would mean she could never again return to her human life.