Only Yesterday is another one of the Ghibli films that I hadn’t seen before starting these reviews. Mainly because, when I was first going through my Ghibli phase, it wasn’t a film available in English. It also didn’t seem to be one that included the magic I had come to love from the studio. This film, among others like From Up on Poppy Hill and Grave of the Fireflies, has proven that not only is Ghibli masters of fantasy, but also human emotion. 

Based on the 1982 manga of the same title by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone, Only Yesterday is a story of Taeko, a 27-year-old woman, born and raised in Tokyo, who decides to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting the family of her brother-in-law in the countryside to help with the safflower harvest. On the train, as she starts to drift off, memories from her past as a schoolgirl in the 1960s flood back to her. 

Some are good, some are embarrassing, and some she’d like to forget altogether – but every single one of them pulls at her heartstrings. Those memories only get stronger after her brother-in-law’s second cousin Toshio, is the one who picks her up from the train station. Torn between nostalgic wistfulness and the knowledge that she will have to return to her life (and work) in the city, she wonders if she’s really being true to who she wanted to be when she was a little girl.

It’s an incredibly well-written and beautifully animated film. Entertainment Weekly’s Devan Coggan called it “Gorgeous!” saying it was “A rare and powerful film!” She was right.

As a fan of music, it is important for me to mention that the ending theme song of the film “愛は花、君はその種子” (“Love is a flower, you are the seed“) is a Japanese translation of “The Rose” made famous by Bette Midler for the 1979 film of the same name. It’s an absolutely beautiful rendition. 

Only Yesterday was released for the first time in English through GKids, to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary. The English Language track included the voices of Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, and Tara Strong. With an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the film, clocking in at about 118 minutes is presented in glorious HD. The set includes audio presented in the original Japanese as well as English, and French each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Extras include:

  • Exclusive Booklet
  • Feature-Length Storyboards
  • The Making of Only Yesterday
  • Behind-the-Scenes with Voice Cast
  • Interview with English Dub Team
  • Trailers & TV Spots

The steelbook can be purchased through Shout Factory, GKids and Amazon. A limited edition, once it’s gone, it’s gone so… act fast!

More Ghibli Reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!