Mimi wo Sumaseba (1995) Whisper of the Heart

Directed by Yoshifumi Kondo

Similar in a way to Studio Ghiblis I Can Hear the Sea, both are far more reality based dramas than for example Spirited Away or Kikis Delivery Service. Shizuku Tsukishima is a 14-year-old girl who wants to be a writer when she grows up. Being a bit of a bookworm she is constantly taking books out from the library and notices that a lot of them have been taken out previously by the same person, Seiji Amasawa, intrigued she sets out to discover who he is only to realise hes a boy in the same year at her school.

That is only a little of the plot as it is actually a girls journey of self-discovery, first love and family. There are a couple of small fantasy sections but these are to do with a story she is writing and as such are more like dream sequences, unfortunately there are also several renditions of the song Country Road but at least one is slightly humorous.

An assured story with a subtle hint of young love and a very positive though down to earth plot.

Beautifully animated as you would expect from Studio Ghibli, the nicely realised characters and interesting tale make this recommended viewing.

I believe that "The Cat Returns" is a sequel to this but haven't seen it yet. 

Cheers Trev

BBFC not rated but definitely no more than a PG.