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Only Yesterday

Play trailer Poster for Only Yesterday 2016 1h 58m Drama Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life could have been.
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Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday

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Critics Consensus

Only Yesterday's long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while offering further proof of the studio's incredibly consistent commitment to quality.

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Critics Reviews

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Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine 08/02/2016
3.5/5
Only Yesterday is one of Studio Ghibli's films aimed primarily at female viewers ... an intentional story that is emotionally honest. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/02/2016
5/5
There is real artistry here: it is a must. Go to Full Review David Jenkins Little White Lies 06/01/2016
4/5
A(nother) animated marvel from one of cinema's unsung maestros. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Jul 4
3.5/4
... gently, but profoundly, explores questions of memory, identity, and purpose. Go to Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film 08/12/2024
4.5/5
Only Yesterday is a beautiful, bitter-sweet animation which touches upon such...topics as the “grip” of persistent childhood memories...the benefit of re-discovering oneself in a different setting...and the imperative of letting go. Go to Full Review JD Duran InSession Film 08/02/2024
A-
Only Yesterday is absolutely beautiful and further showcases the prowess of Studio Ghibli. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kevin P Jan 9 A touching film about childhood, young adulthood, and remembering key moments of your life and how it shaped how you are today, as memories flood when visiting familiar locations. These flashback scenes are slow and scattershot, but incredibly relatable. Despite the whimsy, there's a quiet sadness to this movie when you feel isolated and misunderstood as a child. At first it seems like typical family banter. But slowly over time as it keeps happening you realize how poorly Taeko's family treats her and crushes her spirits. Her struggles were relatable, and I wonder if Taeko is neurodivergent. Thankfully, the adult scenes are gentler and focus more on escaping to the countryside and trying to figure out your future. I like Taeko's subtle romance with the organic farmer. I loved the ending when Taeko listens to her inner child and chooses her own happiness. The movie makes you think and recollect your own childhood memories. See more Hunter A. @Fatal_Error_Music Nov 18 It was okay, I understand what it was going for and I think that it did well, I just couldn't invest myself into it and I just couldn't get into it See more Waniya S Aug 28 It was a realistic display of childhood, parents and life but i still think it lacked a plot! See more Ryan H @RyGuy Jul 31 Taeko becomes reminiscent with old stories of her 5th grade year when she visits her grandma in an old countryside town. I enjoyed how the animation switches to a watercolor-style when she thinks back to her childhood. See more Jim D @ilovedollssomuch Jun 17 An absolutely fantastic movie, albeit niche. This movie explores feelings and situations first with plot being secondary. If you pay attention, stick with it, and try to understand the complexities of what's happening, you will be blown away by its strange beauty. See more Stephen C @bob25009 May 14 1 hour and 58 minutes of anime drama!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Only Yesterday

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Cast & Crew

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Isao Takahata

Director

Daisy Ridley

Taeko Okajima

Dev Patel

Toshio

Ashley Eckstein

Yaeko

Alison Fernandez

Taeko Okajima (5th Grade)

Isao Takahata

Screenwriter

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Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life could have been.
Director
Isao Takahata
Producer
Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter
Isao Takahata
Distributor
GKIDS
Genre
Drama, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 2016, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 26, 2016
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 17, 2019
Runtime
1h 58m
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