Ponyo

MOVIE #1,872 • 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 • 08.02.24 宮崎駿監督のフォーカス This is some of the simplest animation ever in a Miyazaki, though it’s just as lovely. It's also easily his most childish, a rated G affair that almost feels like a visual lullaby at times. The environmental message is also the least subtle it's ever been (at least in the opening — he sort of loses this thread in the fantasy). But don't get me wrong, it's still weird as hell. I watched the English dub and Liam Neeson voices an underwater wizard. Look at this guy and tell me he doesn't scream Liam Neeson…

Ponyo really likes sliced deli meat boiled ham. I found something profound in the final message that to become human, you must abandon magic. It almost seems like that runs counter to general vibe of Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli. What he is trying to say here? Hmm.

I'd like to think this is where one of my favorite new bands got their name from...


Even though this is specifically geared toward (small) children, I thought it was a delight. I think it benefited from a more simplistic storyline, honestly.

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Ponyo (Japanese: 崖の上のポニョ, Hepburn: Gake no Ue no Ponyo, lit. 'Ponyo on the Cliff') is a 2008 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was animated by Studio Ghibli for the Nippon Television Network, Dentsu, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Mitsubishi, and distributed by Toho. The film stars Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Kazushige Nagashima, Yūki Amami, George Tokoro, Rumi Hiiragi, Akiko Yano, Kazuko Yoshiyuki and Tomoko Naraoka. It is the eighth film Miyazaki directed for Studio Ghibli, and his tenth overall. The film tells the story of Ponyo, a goldfish who escapes from the ocean and is helped by a five-year-old human boy, Sōsuke, after she is washed ashore while trapped in a glass jar. As they bond with each other, Ponyo desires to become a human girl, against the devastating circumstances brought about by her acquisition and use of magic. It was released on July 19, 2008.