Only Yesterday Review

 Only Yesterday is a film that truly embodies the spirit of life and how dreams can change or stay the same form childhood. Taeko, a 27 year old woman, lives in Tokyo and decides to go out into the countryside to work as a field worker. Along the way she starts to reminisce about her life as a little girl and starts to question if she completed her dream since childhood.

The story is great and the use of imagery and animation has the style of what we love about Studio Ghibli. The animation is so nice and crisp and I love the watercolors that were used for the past and then the heavy, darker, colors for the present (1982). Also with the past dream sequences, some of the scenes seem half finished, making it more of a dream than reality and shows how life can past by in a blur.

The music is absolutely amazing and it sets the mood for each scene. When the music is not playing its at pivitol moments in time when I am on my seat to hear and to see what happens next. The music helps the mood and brings out such great emotions that also inhances the performance of the characters and actors.

Speaking of which, the voice actors in the movie is also great and one can tell they are invested in the story and really bring each character to life. Daisy Ridley and Dev Patel were amazing and gave such great emotion to the characters and the other characters as well, especially the flashbacks to Taeko as a little girl.

Overall I give this movie a 9/10. A must see if your a fan of Studio Ghibli and this story, for me, hits home to me on a personal level and what a story to have to celebrate 25 years of amazing storytelling. Dreams can be a reality. Take chances and have heart and you will see it come true. Anime Rules!!!

Daisy Ridley voices Studio Ghibli's ONLY YESTERDAY

Check out the new trailer for Studio Ghibli's Only Yesterday starring Star Wars Daisy Ridley.  Long considered an unseen masterpiece by critics and fans alike, the film has never before been released in North America. The film will open in New York at IFC Center on January 1 and expand to additional cities February 26.

It’s 1982, and Taeko (Daisy Ridley) is 27 years old, unmarried, and has lived her whole life in Tokyo. She decides to visit her family in the countryside, and as the train travels through the night, memories flood back of her younger years: the first immature stirrings of romance, the onset of puberty, and the frustrations of math and boys. At the station she is met by young farmer Toshio (Dev Patel), and the encounters with him begin to reconnect her to forgotten longings. In lyrical switches between the present and the past, Taeko contemplates the arc of her life, and wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self.

Written and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder and Academy Award® nominee Isao Takahata (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, from one of the world’s most revered animation studios. Critically acclaimed but never before released in North America, the film is receiving a national theatrical release in a new, Studio Ghibli-produced, English-language version in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Trailer

Interview With Daisy 

VIZ Media Releases Gorgeous Art of Princess Mononoke Edition

VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library imprint celebrates the work of iconic Japanese film director Hayao Miyazaki and his famed animation studio. The imprint has collected and released a substantial catalog of full-color art books, film comics, children’s picture books and other releases for Studio Ghibli films such as Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and The Wind Rises. THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE · MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN ·

Available August 26th This new hardcover edition features insightful interviews, concept sketches, character art and finished animation cels from the critically acclaimed fantasy action film by Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 1997, Princess Mononoke was the first Hayao Miyazaki film to break into the American mainstream. The journey from initial idea to the big screen is captured here in stunning detail and also includes a look at Miyazaki’s original concept art and the use of computer graphics technology in the film’s production. “We are very proud to expand our Studio Ghibli imprint with THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE and invite devoted fans and serious collectors to savor the gorgeous artwork and updated translation it features,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director. “PRINCESS MONONOKE was a groundbreaking achievement for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli and became the film that firmly established him on the international stage. THE ART OF PRINCESS MONONOKE is a beautiful testament to this creative visionary and his unique film.”

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Neon Genesis Evangelion Director Hideaki Anno Stars in New Studio Ghibli Film

Hideaki Anno director of the anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion" will star in the new Studio Ghibli film "Kaze Tachinu"(The Wind Rises) This will be Hideaki first time doing a voice over role. He starts as the main protagonist in the film which will debut in Japan on July 20th. The film takes a look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Anime Rules!!!

Ni No Kuni: The Wrath Of The White Witch Review

When I heard that a new anime style RPG was on the way I was excited. When I heard that Studio Ghilbi, Namco and Level 5 was apart of this project I immediately said give me the game! Now Ni No Kuni: The White Witch is finally here, but is this the game the Otakus have been waiting for? Does it do well to please the RPG crowd and the gamers in general?

Story - The story of Ni no Kuni revolves around thirteen-year-old Oliver, a resident of Motorville, whose mother, Allie,... ... (no spoilers) after rescuing him from drowning. A doll, given to Oliver by his mother, is brought to life from his tears and reveals itself to be a male fairy named Drippy who gives Oliver a book that allows him to use the power of magic and enter the world of "Ni no Kuni," a reality parallel to his own.

That is the story synopsis and what a story Ni no Kuni is. If this was just an anime movie released by Studio Ghibli and had Disney to distribute it this would be Oscar worthy. Ni no Kuni story is phenomenal and a great way to kick off the RPG's for 2013. This is a fun, emotional, lighthearted and touching story. Oliver is a wonderful, likable protagonist and you will feel really invested in his journey. When his mother sacrifices herself for him, you will really feel for Oliver and want to play the whole game through to see how the story plays out. As great of a character Oliver is, his supporting cast is a blast to see. His sidekick Drippy is a great mentor when it comes to Oliver's quest and is used well for the comedy relief throughout the story. I won't go into more details for the sake of spoilers, just know that this is truly an experience.

Gameplay - The gameplay is a mix of RPG style mechanics. It has a little bit of turn based which you will be able to control your character freely during battle. The battles you control Oliver who attacks are based on melee, defend and magic since he's a wizard. He also has the aid of of his friends called Familiars. These are creatures that are created from Oliver's pure heart. They each  have they own attacks, require upgrades and need to be taken care of. You can control Oliver or the Familiars at any time. However the Familiars have a time limit which they will then need to be given a break to regain they stamina  This gives a great element of strategy and you will have to be careful how they are used, because if they get harmed, so does Oliver.  The element of Familiars is very well welcomed, you will be spending a lot of time trying to match what upgrade, weapon, accessory and food that your Familiar would like. The side missions are not the typical tedious side missions that you see in JRPG. Even though you run the typical get this item, bounty hunter an enemy the side missions you want to do because you would care for everyone in this story. Even if it's a cat person looking for her red earrings, or a bird man looking for you take an enemy out, because the world is so likable and characters you care for you might do every side mission big or small and they give some pretty good rewards. 

Graphics - Stunning does not describe Ni No Kuni. This game is truly amazing to see, from the worlds, towns and character designs you can really see the influence Studio Ghibli had in this game. Level 5 did a amazing job capturing the anime spirit and otakus will be proud of this game. It gives you such an nostalgia feeling of the old days of Studio Ghilbi and it truly has this magic feel to it. 

Sound - The cast both English and Japanese does a stellar job. The voice acting is top notch. The music is composed by Studio Ghilbi's go to guy Joe Hisashi and it's such a delight. The tone of themes range from emotional, happy and sometimes dark. The uses of strings and his signature piano is a welcome addition and brings the world truly to life.

Replay Value - There is tons to do in this game, the side missions will keep you busy and there is even stuff to do once the main story is finish. Getting a platinum trophy will take a very long time. It will take 40 hours to beat the main story and about more to get a full completion.

Final Grade A+/9.5/10 - Ni No Kuni: The Wrath Of The White Witch has brought JRPG's back! Dare we call this game a classic but it's the only way to describe it. This is an anime game you must buy, this is an experience from the story, the characters, the music and the presentations. The gameplay is solid, addictive and challenging. The only complaint would be the camera sometimes is too far out when traveling through the lands. This is something you must play. 

The Secret World Of Arrietty Review

The Secret World Arrietty tells the tale of a young borrower, trying survive in a huge world. Does Studio Ghilbi take on "The Borrowers" deliver? Check out our review