Ranked #109

Whisper of the Heart

Story:
The story is based on a manga by Aoi Hiiragi. What I like about it is that it focuses on a problem that each of us go to at a certain point in our lives, what we want to be when we grow up. This is usually affected by our own capabilities, dreams, certain circumstances and people around us that either pull us down or help us keep going. I think students can relate to the plot better since they are going through similar to what the characters in the story are.

Art:
The characters are drawn in the usual Ghibli style. Although simple, the characters are able to portray the emotions needed to make the story believable. The background is very well designed and the little details like thrash on the street, pipes from the houses are all there. They make the environment the character moves in more real. I like these aspects bests in the movie.

Sound:
The music fits the story well, you can get the feel of the story right away and the translation of Country Roads is very amusing.

Character:
The main character responds to her problems immaturely at first but we can see her become more responsible as the story progresses.

Overall:
It's very inspiring once you relate yourself to the plot. It combines a little humor, determination, anger and a little bit of puppy love. A movie you can watch over and over again and pick up ideas from. read more

Story: 10/10
Mimi wo Sumaseba, which literally means If You Listen Closely, tells the story of Shizuku, a junior-high school student who is struggling to find out who she is. The movie takes you on a journey through her imagination and daily life as she makes decisions that will ultimately decide her future.

This is the first anime movie I watched,Ghibli movie too, that wasn't packed with interruptions and magic to HELP the characters fall in love. Their love is PURE and honest that even if the plot moves very slow, its adorable. Whisper of the Heart helped me through one of my worst years, as its calming atmosphere and charming love story brings a smile to my fave every time I watch it. The movie takes place over either a few weeks or a week, its not really clear on that, then shows Shizuka's struggle through two months. The slow pace of it builds to the sweet ending, but I just wish they would have kissed, or some kind of epilogue was inserted after the credits.
Also, this movie is kind of a spin-off of the Ghibli movie "The Cat Returns". If you've seen the movie, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Other than that, Whisper of the Heart still remains my favorite Ghibli movie.

Art: 10/10
I'm a huge fan of the Ghibli style. The thing I was a little unsure about was how the characters looked much older than they actually were. I did like the character designs, as each character had their own look. The backgrounds were beautifully done, as always. The Baron seemed to be the one the animators paid most attention too. He and his "mate" were so intricately detailed and beautiful, that he stole the scenes he was in! Don't get me wrong, I loved the Baron, and the story Shizuka created with him.

Sound: 10/10
I watched this movie 3 years ago for the first time, and in English. I think Im being weird when I say that I prefer the English script over the Japanese, but the Japanese voices over the English. Seiji's voice is so much more adorable in the original Japanese, and not deep and weird sounding (No offense to David Gallagher, who I used to crush on during my 7th Heaven days). The background music was quirky and sweet, and I loved it. My favorite BGM music is the one that plays while Shizuka is storming home, calling Seiji a STUPID JERK. ITs so funny. The entire theme song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" used to be one of my favorite songs, and hearing it in Japanese was amazing. Now I prefer the Japanese over the English version.

Character: 10/10
Every single character in this movie is a pleasure to watch, their stories each being different. My favorite just happens to be Seiji (Though I love even more in the manga.), who loved Shizuka for who she was. And his violin playing, I think, was the thing that started my love for the violin. Shizuka is just a girl who likes Fairy Tales and is trying to figure herself out. The love between these two characters is so cute and overflowing, and HONEST. I will never stop saying that. Their love is honest. Nothing twisted their minds, no magic was involved, no one tried to ruin them. Nothing you usually see in anime. No, Ghibli did an amazing job at keeping their love sweet and honest. I never cried once, though I did fan-girl over the romance and Seiji. LOL

Overall Enjoyment: 10/10
I cannot just watch this movie once in a sitting. No, usually I watch it twice, when I have it. I have yet to own in, but it is on my list if things to buy, at the very top. It's such a cute, honest, beautiful movie, and the manga (Mimi wo Sumaseba) isn't bad either! Ghibli knows how to tell stories that make me smile. Like I said, if I watch this movie when I'm depressed, it lifts all the pain away and makes me happy. Anyone who likes slow paced, pure romances, will love this movie. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone out there. Its worth watching, and you will not be disappointed. read more