Released in Japan in 1991, the Isao Takahata directed Only Yesterday has had a long journey to US cinemas. In the 25 years since its release, there have been countless theories about why it was never available on these shores, but thankfully that is in the past. GKids have now released the title with an all-new English dub so that it can be enjoyed by all audiences. Perhaps more interesting will be seeing how audiences react to an extremely Japanese story about growing up and making decisions about ones future.
Only Yesterday focuses on the story of Taeko across two different timelines. In one timeline, it is current day 1982, where she is in her late 20s and still unsure of what she wants out of life. Her family would prefer she settle down and marry, but she loves to spend her vacations working in the countryside, away from the commotion of busy city life and her families expectations. In 1966, she is 10 years old and in fifth grade. She has to deal with the troubles of that age, the personalities of her peers and the complexities of family life during that era. The main storyline is developed through the 1982 Taeko, but these flashbacks help her make decisions and influence her current affairs.
Throughout the years, Studio Ghibli was well regarded for their work in hand drawn animation. Given that this film was released in a time where that process was very much still being used, Only Yesterday is
Studio Ghibli may be gone, but it is certainly not forgotten.a beautiful relic of a past time. The characters have more lines in their faces than normal and are given a larger range of emotion due to this method. Even the two different eras are represented differently. The earlier era, 1966, is pretty basic but with splashes of water color here or there. Whereas the 1982 era, feels much more like the product of its own time with bright vivid color and detailed backgrounds.
Whether or not the rumors of Disney holding the license to the film and deciding it was difficult to market hold up, audiences might have some issues relating to Taeko and her surroundings. Some of the more troubling sequences to watch, are the ways in which the household was run when Taeko was 10 years old. It is certainly represents that time period, but perhaps audiences will be able to attach their own unique situations to those depicted in the film. Not everything is specifically targeted precisely for Japanese culture, but this is not a typical Studio Ghibli story.
What that means exactly is that there are no magical dragons, dancing cats, or flying pigs. Only Yesterday is grounded in reality for the most part. Perhaps the magic for this particular story comes from growing from the past and realizing what it is Taeko wants from her future.
In the all new English dub of Only Yesterday, GKids enlisted the talent of Daisy Ridley for the part of Taeko. Audiences will know Ridley for her star-making turn in the recent Star Wars: The Force Awakens. While she shares the part of Taeko with her younger self (Alison Fernandez), she does an admirable job with subtleties of the role when she is needed. The other big part is that of Taeko’s brother-in-law’s second cousin. Yes, they are far apart in relation which is why the character works. Toshio is played by Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and while it seems a little off at first given his accent, it eventually fits the character well. For a film of this nature and age, GKIDS has pulled together formidable talent.
Studio Ghibli may be gone, but it is certainly not forgotten. Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki have made their claim on hand drawn animation and wonderful stories. Only Yesterday may not have been the most accessible or thrilling of the studios amazing output, but it is representative of the quality work the studio has long been known for. Whether or not audiences latch on to the story in Only Yesterday, it is still a gift that it has been finally released stateside and given a treatment that the studio’s other works have seen throughout the years. Those not expecting to find something filled with magic should be pleasantly surprised at the depth and love that goes into Only Yesterday.