Only Yesterday Reviews

For me this is one of Studio Ghibli's more realistic films, and it is also one of the more beautiful ones too. Not to mention underrated, in my opinion. It isn't a favourite, but I still admire it hugely and think it is very re-watchable. The story is well structured, and has a real sense of realism about it. As said, there is no visible magic or fairytale like characters, the magic is in the story and in how it is told. It is also quite a nostalgic story too I feel. The animation is very good, and the music is lovely. The dialogue is respectable enough, and the characters are immensely likable and never fail to engage. And as usual the voice work I have no qualms with. Overall, very beautiful film. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This was seriously my first attempt of a really "Slice of Life" anime
piece of work, and was I completely stunned by the amazing story this
turned out to be... It was enjoyable, interesting and rather thoughtful
ever since the beginning, simply because the characters were so simple,
realistic, well-developed and most important of all, likable. The
ending was outstanding, it showed the romantic side of this story and
it was so good and emotional it made me shed some tears, something I
almost never do out of Drama.

Miyazaki may be the most popular, with the more thrilling and
adventurous anime films out there, making absolutely gorgeous and
entertaining movies in my honest opinion, but with this movie, in my
eyes, Takahata proved to be on par with (if not superior to) Miyazaki
when it comes to directing a movie with a memorable story and realistic
characters.

Only Yesterday (Omohide poro poro) is quite a mature anime aimed at the josei audience (females from late teenage years to later), according to Wikipedia. It has a very heartfelt story that isn't usually found in animated form, but Studio Ghibli adds its own touch of magic to it without straying from reality.

Unlike many other Ghibli films, this one isn't really for kids. It deals with more mature ideas that wouldn't necesarily be unsuitable for children, but they may not find it that interesting. Long periods of silence in the dialogue also highlight this, but for an older viewer it is a lovely piece of film.

A wonderful film from Ghibli, unlike much of their other films from both before and after. A definite watch for fans to see what the Studio is capable outside of fantasy.