Watch Whisper Of The Heart

Whisper of the Heart is a coming-of-age story from the maker of My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service, Hayao Miyazaki. Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō, the film follows the journey of a young girl named Shizuku Tsukishima, voiced by Yoko Honna, who desires to write a novel. She is an independent, curious and intelligent girl who reads voraciously, often at the expense of her schoolwork, and wanders around the streets of Tokyo, contentedly dreaming up stories, lyrics, and poetry.

Shizuku is at the crossroads of her life. She and her friends celebrate the end of Junior High School, leaving her with a summer filled with possibilities. She takes joy in the small things in life, like singing along to song lyrics that she scribbles on the back of envelopes or the view of the moon at night. However, she also feels a sense of aimlessness and lack of direction. She sees her friends with their clear goals and decides to take the summer to consider her own.

One day, while browsing through the books at her local library, Shizuku discovers that all of the books she checked out were previously read by a boy named Seiji Amasawa, voiced by Issey Takahashi. She imagines the owner of these books to be an older person yet is surprised when she meets Seiji, who is her age. Despite her initial impression of him, she becomes fascinated with Seiji's headstrong personality and his passion for crafting violins.

Shizuku and Seiji share a connection through their dreams. While she is writing her novel, Seiji similarly wants to create something with his life. He aims to become a master violin craftsman and has decided to leave Tokyo to study the art of violin crafting in Italy with his grandfather. The two begin to push each other into creating their own path and figuring out what they want to do with their lives. Shizuku's pursuit of creativity in writing helps Seiji to pursue his dreams, and she draws inspiration from him to continue working on her novel.

The story brings to light the issues of youth, love, and self-discovery, and without taking a sentimental approach. It highlights the importance of chasing our passions while staying true to ourselves. We see the characters grow in their own way, overcome their fears, and come to terms with their desires.

In addition to the heartwarming story, the animation is mesmerizing. The visuals are simple yet enchanting, making every scene a cinematic experience that draws the viewer in. The animated characters are expressive, and their personalities are articulated with precision, making it impossible to not be drawn to the characters’ thoughts and emotions. The scenic shots of downtown Tokyo are breathtaking, emphasizing the city’s bustling yet harmonious life.

Although the film was created over 25 years ago, the themes it touches upon are timeless. The journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams remains poignant and relevant, making it a timeless film.

The soundtrack of Whisper of the Heart is just as evocative as the visuals. The film features several classic songs, including “Country Road” by John Denver, translated into Japanese, and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by Olivia Newton-John. The music is a constant reminder of the warmth and comfort of the countryside and the importance of taking care of oneself, following one’s heart, and not losing sight of one’s creative ambitions.

In conclusion, Whisper of the Heart is a piece of art that appeals to all ages. It's a film about dreaming big and chasing one’s aspirations, but more importantly, it's a film about finding our own paths and the joys and challenges that come with pursuing our passions. The story captures the beautiful friendship between Shizuku and Seiji and their journey of self-discovery as they navigate adolescence together. Whisper of the Heart is a poignant work that is as relevant today as it was when it was released in 1995.