@hachiro_de
"From up on Poppy Hill" is my most favourite Ghibli movie. Although its not one of their biggest hits, it really touched me because it was so realistic and grounded, without the otherwise typical fantasy elements of Ghibli movies. And it was still so touching, even though it was basically just a slice of life anime.
@lussiellie
when I was in my early teens and just started exploring ghibli, I stumbled upon Up on Poppy Hill and was mesmerized by its quiet subtleties. At the time I didn't know about the stark difference between Goro and Hayao or that it was Goro that directed this film, so I could safely say that when I talk about this, I talk about an unbiased opinion. But this was a masterpiece of its own in my book and honestly its really heartwarming to know that others share my opinion of this too. Great video!
@jamestill4172
This was randomly recommended to me, and I'm glad it was. Sounds like a sad dynamic between father and son. It also highlights the struggle and sacrifice behind a lot of animes we take for granted.
@christianwhalen9263
I love Hayao as an artist, and he undoubtedly deserves a lot of credit for pulling together some of the best stories told in his lifetime that will live on long after he’s no longer with us. However, it’s always sad to see that he runs/ran his studio as something of a control-freak and didn’t allow for others to learn and grow along with him, especially his own son. I think that in years to come Goro will end up being an incredible director, both because of and despite who his father is
@PsyduckChronicler
This is amazingly put together. I’m so impressed by how thoroughly you were able to paint this story. Great work!
@aerob1033
From Up On Poppy Hill is actually my favorite Studio Ghibli film. I think it's the sense of place that pushes it over the edge for me. The town feels like a character in the story, and being so grounded and realistic, it's that much more impactful for me. Thanks for shedding some light on the background behind the movie.
@celestialogian1183
Thank you for this thought-provoking video! I think that in From Up On Poppy Hill, Goro-san consciously subverts his father's favorite themes: 'Flight and Departure' -- which could also be framed as Discovery and Farewell, from a plot perspective. Umi flies her naval flags to greet her father, in an empty hope of his return, who is deeply sunken below the waves. Her life is anchored to her port town from beginning to end, leaving only to visit a Tokyo civil office of education (the only destination, I imagine, more humdrum than a teenager's hometown), and the most thrilling highs involve her bringing her domestic talents to the feral clubhouse, and running on foot, hand-in-hand, the same road she tread every day. While Umi yearns for some closure with her father, and languishes in her new love withering before it could fully bloom, her absentee mother returns. The board chairman visits the flourishing (and unflying) clubhouse, and delivers it from demolition. And she is fully reconciled with Shun, the brightest horizon of her life, by their fathers' best friend, who, delaying his departure, stands as their fathers' last testament of love and affirmation for who've they've grown to be. From up on Poppy Hill stands apart for 'Enduring and Reunion'. Hayao had spent his professional life apart from his son, and to come into his own, Goro needed to do the same. Perhaps Goro became so focused on filtering out his father's shadow from his work, that he had forgot what it was like to grow up in his light. Hayao reminded him of this light with a single image, as it seems his pictures were worth more than his words: "Umi keeps her chin up, eyes on the horizon, and walks confidently, especially when she's alone. Do the same." And he did.
@LarissaFord
This was a beautiful review - I bet if Goro saw it he'd be really happy. It actually made my eyes a bit misty. Good job - you've earned a new subscriber ☺
@sirflimflam
Honestly I can't imagine being Miyazaki's son. I was the son of a really good welder/metal worker/handyman, and as a computer nerd I could definitely feel the judgement growing up sometimes. Goro has made some stinkers (I'm looking at you Earwig and the Witch, but the guy has passion at least. I really loved From Up on Poppy Hill and I didn't even know Goro was the Director. I loved how down to earth it was compared to most Ghibli stories.
@tokarukora7272
As the daugher of a quite successful artist and as somebody who studied arts myself I do really feel that pain.
@bearbear3133
This Goro dude’s life is too anime-protagonist, more so than any other Ghibli MCs out there. Will be rooting for him and his work. Never give up😔👏
@happyllama1160
I do feel bad for Goro, but I don’t understand why they thought mushing a long series of books with really varying tones was a good idea. Even the best director in the world couldn’t combine them and create a good product. I really firmly believe that if Goro had just chosen one of the books to adapt, or even combine Tehanu and The Other Wind, it would have been a critical success. I know this isn’t the point of the video, but it always bugs me as a big fan of the series. I’m dying for a good adaptation some day.
@TheKaffeeBonbon
Actually I always tend to forget that Ghibli movies are mostly fantasy films because my favorite scenes are always the mundane ones. Like Chihiro riding the train or the Kids from Totoro hiding from the police on the back of the moving truck while waving to others at the beginning of the movie. I haven’t seen From up on Poppy Hill but I definitely will now.
@chupica100
Struggling with creativity and finding yourself within a medium is something that resonates with me, and hearing about Goro's story, I can see myself in him in a lot of ways. It was deeply moving. I'm so glad this video popped up on my recommended, instant subscription. I'm gonna go watch the documentary and From up on Poppy Hill now.
@Christophe-Manga
Thats a really great storyline. An underdog son trying his best to prove himself but when its do or die time he gets the missing piece from his father. A silent cheer.
@annnabee
Wow this was a seriously great video essay — I was actually surprised when I saw it wasn’t from a larger channel! I’ve always been vaguely aware of Miyazaki’s rocky relationship with his son, but the way you managed to frame such an interesting and emotional narrative in eleven minutes has left me impressed as well as with a desire to rewatch From Up on Poppy Hill! Instantly subbed, and I’m excited to see what you make next :)
@maryam.m
From Upon Poppy Hill is probably my favorite Ghibli film. I've seen most of them at this point, and as much as I adore the classics, there's something about Poppy Hill that just pulls me back again and again. It's like my ultimate comfort film. I hope Goro Miyazaki continues to direct films in the future, because it will be heartbreaking if his storytelling languishes in the shadow of his father and works like Earwig and the Witch.
@eendsofthearth
Wonderful video. From Up on Poppy Hill is either my 2nd or 3rd favorite Ghibli film and its nice to see some positive chatter about it. To me, the appeal of the film is how events that are seemingly mundane in the grand scheme are made to be be as grand as the big plots of other Ghibli films. Especially since the characters are teenagers, stuff like their clubhouse shutting down and having a crush does seem that important and high stakes as, say, the god of the forest dying. Its very human and really respectful of the characters.
@serene8106
Thanks for mentioning this part. I once watched this document when I was a primary school student and it's so inspiring that I will remember this forever. Back then I was so into the Ghibi world and works of Miyazaki Hayao, wondering what made his works so good and impressive. And to me this is the answer. How he changed the tone of the movie, overcame the struggling of the his son and the team by just a single picture. The main character, the stage, the world of the Poppy hill came to life with just a small but important touch. And this is what made him so great. This is the proof of him being a legendary animator. It is not about drawing extremly complex objects and fancy pictures, but showing how characters think and live by paying attention on small details. How a character walks, what does a character choose, what are they looking at, their logic and reasons behind it. These make characters and the world come alive, thus move and touch people's heart.
@OBecs