ANI-MOVIES, *Only Yesterday

One of Studio Ghibli's less noted films from the early 90's, Only Yesterday was one not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, but Isao Takahata who is more known for Grave Of The Fireflies and The Tale Of Princess Kaguya. Only recently released in English through GKIDS, this slice-of-life feature unlike most Ghibli movies doesn't deal with otherworldly princesses or spirits meddling with the human world.

Taking place in the early 80s, mid-20's Taeko Okajima decides to spend her week off by leaving Tokyo and going to work on a farm with their recent harvest. During Taeko's journey to the country and while she works on the farm, she keeps flashbacking to her childhood growing up with her family, which apparently showed her dealing with being learning disabled which affected her growing as a person, also slightly stunting her maturity as she's still single. While on her visit Takeo also starts falling for local farmhand Toshio, and she keeps conflicting between her current self along with her childlike self from her memories.

Only Yesterday is one of those Ghibli productions that sort of slipped through the cracks by most American otaku as compared to most of Miyazaki's movies, but GKIDS did an above average release of this for English release. Having Daisy Ridley as the voice of Taeko was a good choice as far as popular actors is concerned, plus other VA regulars like Grey Griffin, Tara Strong, and Mona Marshall filling out the cast. Even non-Ghibli fans will find it charming and an animation miracle.