My favourite Studio Ghibli film, and it is not by Miyazaki! Controversial, perhaps, but this nostalgia-soaked drama hit all the right notes for me, and remains among my favourite films of all time! Watch it, if you haven't already.

Reflection and introspection - and a look at our movements through age identities. Only Yesterday has a real sense of warmth and genuineness that makes it one of my favourite Ghibli features. Very balanced, subtle and careful with each of its characters and themes. Beautiful.

Very Great

I cannot resist a Ghibli Studio movie. The story is not very entertaining. It gives some insight into a lifestyle that is disappearing in japan.

A script of gentle wisdom. A subtle epic.

Another triumph from Studio Ghibli. Part coming-of-age story, part bittersweet nostalgia, part gentle romance. It seemed heavily influenced by Ozu's quiet sensitivity, in fact I think there was a passing reference to Early Summer. Very sweet and touching. Ghibli has a gift for tear-jerking, and at the end my eyes were watering up once again.

A quietly moving and warmly nostalgic tale contrasting adulthood and childhood. As is the norm with Studio Ghibli, they write unusually accurate children.

Touching tell of adulthood.

A Josei anime (animated chick-flick, petty much). This low-key drama's strengths lie in its hyper-realistic recounting of protagonist Taeko's memories of fifth grade, though all in all the story is nowhere near as touching or involving as Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies. The animation is top-notch as usual with Ghibli.

I think one of the reasons why so many people don't like anime is because so much anime often resorts to silly extremes, in terms of both style and content. Only Yesterday, on the other hand, could scarcely be less extreme. It perfectly balances all of its components without ever stumbling. It's sweet, but not saccharine; tender, but not frail; sentimental, but not mawkish. The acting is very naturalistic and understated, as is the animation. The story is simple but effective.

Like everything out of Ghibli, it's pure magic, although quite different then other proudctions - instead of fantasy, we get something much more tangible and real. Although the minimalistic animation is noticeable from the very start, and seems somewhat too simplistic, it matches the story well. The same can be said about the plot itself: first reserved feelings towards reminescents of a 10 year-old Japanese girl turn out to be only the prelude to more serious subject.

Worth watching for the spectacular imagery alone, but it's much more than that. Anyone can relate to this movie, filled with nostalgia, regret, uncertainty for the future, etc. Make sure to endure the first 20 minutes because Only Yesterday becomes more and more rewarding.

I confess that Anime has never interested me much. But if I, or anyone who want to know and begin to like, this is the right movie. A story of a lovely simplicity.

This movie was really good. I enjoyed it quite a bit actually. It just had a really compelling story.