Rather lovely. Admittedly it absolutely doesn't cope with being feature film length, but watched in a few shorter bursts I found it very enjoyable.

Very unusual work for Studio Ghibli and anime in general. Based on comic strip it retains that visual style and narrative format. These little stories are filled with positive attitude and joy of having a family in both good and bad times. Unlike most other Ghibli works it is not groundbreaking masterpiece, but the warmth it radiates makes it worthwhile and often fun experience.

I don't know why anyone would make this a feature-length work. The insufferable tediousness of its everyday insights and occurences grates early on already, but making it an hour and forty minutes is just too, too much.

the rough sea / stretching out towards Sado / the Milky Way

I don't get it...

The line is not worth to be a long-feature animation but the story is whole alternatively showed in a way of japanese life.

I can't imagine anyone enjoying this very much. Think of a family-based comic strip... say, "Foxtrot". It's like reading a bunch of those. Just barely amusing enough to keep you going, but so empty and trite that you regret the time you spent on it. Noteworthy for its watercolor art (looks a bit like illustrations from a children's book), occasional flights of fancy, and episodic structure. Too bad it's wasted on such uninspired material.

Takahata makes dull movies.

Watchable, and mildly enjoyable, thanks to it's unique animation style, but I'm not sure what kind of audience would like it. It's too simplistic for adults and I can't imagine kids being anything but bored.

Far from what Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke or Kaze no tani no Naushikaa got us used to, this ascetic in form series of short scenes doesn't form a coherent plot. Instead, it's a collection of very accurate minatures from family life. Highly original, but requires a specific mood.