Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Sahil_K_Chandio
From Up On Poppy Hill is one of the two Ghibli films I never watched, Ponyo being the other. There is no specific reason as to why, I just never got around to it but recently, I finally decided to watch it. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed nearly every minute. As someone who sorely dislikes every film directed by Goro Miyazaki, I feel compelled to write a proper review for a movie of his that has truly earned every bit of my praise.
At its core, this story is a period piece, set in 1963, in Japan. The country is still recovering from the recent wars and trying to overcome its regretful past. It is a tale that encourages us to embrace our past, both its virtues and flaws, regardless of their severity. If you are overly adamant about erasing all of your past and pretending nothing happe…
Read at the sourceoikawa_the_door
(may contain minor spoilers)
I had high hopes for this anime movie as a huge fan of cute romance anime movies, but I was extremely disappointed. This would have been such a better movie if they removed the whole "sibling" arc, which made me feel uncomfortable, and even after it was sorted out, made me not support the relationship as much I would have. Instead, they should have focused on the actual characters, because after watching this movie, I can barely tell you even one of their personality traits. As with all Studio Ghibli movies though, the art and music were absolutely amazing.
Would not waste your time watching this movie. Go watch Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, or any of Studio Ghibli's many amazing movies.
Read at the sourcerisinglazarus
[STORY: 6/10]
This is one of the tamest Ghibli movies that is more slice-of-life than anything. This movie has an interesting concept, but not a very unique one, as forbidden love between two main characters has been done many times before. The ending feels incomplete as well, leaving us with the desire to see what happened next, but in a bad way.
[ART: 8/10]
While this movie does have beautiful Ghibli animation, it feels like they held back a bit. Nothing is visually mind-blowing like in other titles. This may be in part because of its slice-of-life nature, but even so, it doesn't quite meet the expectations of a movie produced by this company.
[SOUND: 9/10]
The voice actors were great and sound effects as well, not much to complain about regarding this section. For a dub, it was done…
Read at the sourceMajor_Gilbert
This is my first ever review, so bare with me...
From up on Poppy Hill is an anime which I think deserved much more than how it was perceived by the audience. For me, it was one of the best films I ever watched as a Ghibli Film. I always waited for the day that a school anime would be released by Studio Ghibli! And they've done it by making this beautiful and heart-warming one.
The film has a quote which is my favorite one from all Ghibli Films:
"Destroy the old and you destroy you own memory of the past. Don't you care about the people who lived and died before us? There's no future for the people who worship the future and forget the past." - Shun Kazama
Story: 10
The film strongly centers around the theme of the willingness to live on, family and change. Japan is entering a new era,…
Read at the sourceNadimi
As much as I love and adore anime, I wouldn't really call myself a Studio Ghibli fan. On the contrary, I'm more of an anti-Ghibli kind of gal, so to speak. Before you stop reading my review or call me a lunatic, however, I would like to point out that I did watch over a dozen Ghibli films before coming to this conclusion. Although most people would like to argue that every single Ghibli piece is a masterpiece, I beg to differ. Out of all the films produced by this studio which I have seen, there were only two that I really liked and only one that I completely fell in love with. However, as an adult, I know that you don't have to "love" something or to be a "fan" of it in order to appreciate its positive aspects. When it comes to Studio Ghibli, there are undoubtedly many of these, and From…
Read at the sourcechrissy_poo_too
The later day Ghibli movies. So much COMING OF AGE DRAMA. I liked this more than I thought I would considering it's not directed by either of Ghibli's heavy hitters. I've been watching the Ghibli movies in reverse order and surprisingly I'd put this above The Wind Rises. It's definitely better than Marnie as well. Princess Kaguya...we'll see when I rewatch them in a decade or so. I know I shouldn't compare; every film is a delicate unique snowflake that deserves to be judged on it's own merits. So what are Poppy Hill's merits?
Beautiful Backgrounds: The messy interior of the clubhouse makes me rage with jealously. I wish I could draw that well.
Likable Characters: This is what makes this movie better than Marnie. Umi and Shun were both cool customers. Unlike Anna who...I'm comparing agai…
Read at the sourceEvergreenOrchid
From up on Poppy Hill has made itself an independent film that doesn't compare to any other Studio Ghibli films in the past. Before watching this, I was worried that it would be a copy for 'Whisper of the Heart', a romance film from Studio Ghibli that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. But this film is worlds apart from it and shines as a unique and enjoyable experience for all ages. I love how there is a deep plot that doesn't just focus on the fact that these two love each other forever, there are some trials that they have to face in order to truly develop a relationship.
The art is outstanding as always and always leaves me in awe, as it is an animating style that I've never seen before except in Studio Ghibli films. The characters develop and change throughout the film and are not the same…
Read at the sourceNeverKnowsBest26
If nothing else Goro Miyazaki’s sophomore directorial effort, From Up on Poppy Hill (or Kokurikozaka kara) is an improvement from his less-than-impressive debut work, Tales of Earthsea. It’s a much smaller, more modest movie with a simple story, but a better fit for the unseasoned director. It’s a comfortable viewing experience, a gentle coming-of-age story that also works well as a period-piece of early-1960s Japan. It’s a story about looking optimistically towards the future, while remembering to pay homage to the past. Yet, with this said, the movie still feels like it is lacking something, a certain uncategorized magic that flows through Miyazaki Senior’s movies. Something that Goro Miyazaki is able to tap into in this movie, but never fully grasps.
Set just before the 1964 Tokyo Olym…
Read at the sourceAnnoKano
Studio Ghibli will always be one of the most highly regarded and the most critically acclaimed animation studios in the world. Such is their success that almost every film they have produced has been something great, and many of them masterpieces. There are so many things they do well- their animation is fantastic, the characters are memorable, the stories are great. They seem to do everything fantastically well. However there is one thing which has always bothered me slightly about Studio Ghibli; almost every film (with perhaps one exception) they've produced has been made primarily for children. Now there is nothing wrong with making a children's movie. Even if titles like Whisper of the Heart and My Neighbour Totoro are intended for younger viewers, there is plenty within those movies f…
Read at the sourcektulu007
Well, we began Studio Ghibli month with their first film and now, as it draws to a close, let's take a look at one of their most recent films. From up on Poppy Hill was written by Miyazaki Hayao and Niwa Keiko with direction by Miyazaki Goro... Wait, the same director as Studio Ghibli's only bad film, Tales from Earthsea? In fact, Niwa Keiko was partially responsible for writing that travesty too... Maybe they won't completely fail this time? I mean, Miyazaki Hayao is involved in this one and he does have a history of making films that are, at the very least, decent. Let's take a look and see what happened with this one.
Our story is about a teenage girl named Umi and a teenage boy named Shun. They meet when Shun does a stupid publicity stunt to try and save the school's club building fr…
Read at the sourcepageprophet
I don’t understand why this Studio Ghibli film is considered mediocre by those who are used to the studio’s works, maybe because this is more of a Slice of Life anime. It lacks the fantastical elements of other Ghibli films. But I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to dismiss it as mediocre. In fact, From Up on Poppy Hill has a storytelling style that, as far as I’ve seen, hasn’t been done by Miyazaki before.
The story has two interweaving plotlines -- the personal lives of Umi and Shun and the seemingly controversial account of the school’s clubhouse. These two stories alternately develop, and there are even instances that both develop at the same time. Take note that neither is a subplot. Both are the backbone of From Up on Poppy Hill.
Another thing that makes this film different…
Read at the sourcetehnominator
Miyazaki Goro's sophomore attempt at directing proves that he can stand apart from his legendary father, but perhaps he is still walking in the shadow of the behemoth Studio Ghibli. Yet his recent work does not back down in its fight to earn a place in their legacy.
From Up on Poppy Hill gives us the standard we expect from a Ghibli film: beautiful art, consistent and vibrant animation complementing stories and characters with either a whole lot of heart or charm and sometimes both. But while Miyazaki makes all the right steps, he has a long way to go to give us something that is clearly his, something that makes us say "That's a Goro film". While every Ghibli movie feels like a distinctly magical journey, this one never quite gets there. Yet where it's headed is nowhere bad at all.
Set…
Read at the sourcetotorolover33
When people hear the words 'Studio Ghibli,' many have come to expect a masterpiece. This is both a blessing and a curse; whilst this does mean that more people watch these (usually pretty amazing) films, it also means that people can mistake 'imperfect' for 'bad.'
I can't speak for everyone, but I actually really enjoyed From Up on Poppy Hill. The characters were likeable - not particularly in-depth or rich, but likeable - and the quirky supporting cast were always there to pick up any slack. In fact, I would say that the supporting cast is one of my favourites from a Ghibli film so far, beautifully designed and entertaining to watch.
The story was engaging, too: a simple teenage romance with a couple of surprising plot twists and an ultimately uplifting result. It may not have been ful…
Read at the sourceMeg-nyan
From Up on Poppy Hill was directed by Goro Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki's son. I was pretty interested to see how much of Hayao's legacy he could carry on. This movie looked very promising, but it was simple. The outcome wasn't exactly what I expected, and this goes as a bad and good way.
Story: 8/10
The main plot for this movie is about two students: Shun and Umi. They have a story of family, love, and willpower that is so simple yet so sweet. To be quite honest, that's the word that really describes this movie the best: simple. Unlike past Ghibli movies, From Up on Poppy Hill does not have magical, supernatural creatures or beautiful dream-like lands. In fact, it takes place in 1960's Japan. The movie attempts a historical feel, which is a risk since it may sway the interest of their popula…
Read at the sourceMutsukoMuu
To put it bluntly: the only reason this got a 5 was because c'mon. What Ghibli's films lack in story they make up with ( to an extent ) animation.
Now this movie to me was just another Studio Ghibli movie where I sat there wondering what I just spent the last two hours watching, was incredibly boring and really went /no where/. I find this a common theme in Ghibli's movies where you are waiting for the next scene but all you get is this awkward black screen then credits. It really goes no where and you'll just be kind of confused by the end of it..
To put it simply, the movie is very relaxed, has a few sweet moments and smooth animation. But if you're anything like me and have always found Ghibli's movies a bit of a bore or left you unfulfilled then I'd skip out.
Read at the sourcegidoran
I just finished watching From Up on Poppy Hill and, despite enjoying the film overall, I'm also having a hard time settling on an opinion.
Artistically, the film has the same high level of production that the audience has come to expect from Studio Ghibli. Simple, yet stylized characters are surrounded by a world of captured beauty, whether it's Umi's house on Poppy Hill or the Latin Quarter building, everything looks amazing. When the Latin Quarter was first being shown, I actually had flashbacks to the bathhouse from Spirited Away - only where the bathhouse was immaculately clean, the Latin Quarter was disgusting. In that very guy-ish good way though. I felt right at home there and wished I could have gone to a school with a building like that, surrounded by people who love what they do…
Read at the sourcemovoning
Hmmmm....again, it doesn't make sense. I tend to open with this line a lot.
Let's try a catchier opening line: this movie approached the characters and plot almost existentially (and yes, like borrowing the ideas of existentialism).
This is clearly one of my favorites from Studio Ghibli. Perhaps I have a bad way of judging things, or I'm just seeing things differently from how most people see them, because I do not think this movie has any execution flaw. Yes, yes, I like Goro's father's works, but not all of them. As for Goro's,I don't remember Earthsea much, but I remember other studio ghibli films pretty well.
From my perspective, what makes studio ghibli's films stand out is their superb execution. Their films have down to earth stories and characters and some magical fantasy eleme…
Read at the sourcehammerinpeace
My favorite part of this film is the setting, in fact, I'd have to say it's my favorite setting in a Ghibli movie so far (followed closely by "Totoro's" countryside). The little 1960's costal town "Poppy Hill" is set in is so adorable and picturesque, with beautiful backgrounds painted in rich colors. Studio Ghibli once again does a good job of evoking that nostalgic feel you often get from their movies.
Characters were okay. Both main characters were hard working, a trait that everyone loves in a protagonist. However, they were a little too perfect. Hayao Miyazaki, who wrote the screenplay for "Poppy Hill", normally does an excellent job at creating balanced characters with a few human flaws, so it's a little disappointing to see him drop the ball here.
The story itself was a little lac…
Read at the sourceBeatnik
Well that's two lacklustre Ghibli movies under Goro's belt. On one hand I can understand Hayao supporting his son in his career, yet on the other hand this blatant form of nepotism is doing nothing but showing that the Miyazaki magic will disappear when he does.
Goro doesn't deserve to be making Ghibli movies just yet. Maybe gaining more experience doing other things would prepare him for that special of roles, but instead what we're left with is his experimentations and learning process stamped with the Ghibli logo. It's diluting the brand. His two films aren't even pandering to mainstream audiences; that’s certainly not a complaint that can be directed at him, but his films are just directorial missteps that don't utilise the tools of animation to their best potential. It’s as if after…
Read at the sourceClaudeDante
Kokurikozaka Kara is not only Studio Ghibli's newest film. It is, in my opinion, the worst film they have made so far.
Our story begins with Komatsuzaki Umi, a girl living in a coastal town in 1960s Japan. Every morning, she rises a pair of flags which can be seen from the sea. Without spoiling anything, I must admit the reason why she does it is pretty tear-jerking.
What isn't tear-jerking, however, is the story in general. I've never seen such a horribly put-together story. The characters are absolutely forgettable, and the script is horrendous. I was shocked when I realised how many inconcistencies and plotholes plague this film. There is a moment in the film in which a main character, after a very important confession, says the following: "I know this sounds like a bad melodrama". I…
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