Today’s mini-review was written by Azelle Elric.
The PoArtMo Mini-Reviews are short, quick-read reviews written by members of the PoArtMo Collective. Our goal is to introduce you to art (books, documentaries, movies, etc.) that you may not be familiar with, and that both adults and youths alike can enjoy.
Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the cliff by the sea – Japanese Animated Film)
Genre: Anime, Fantasy, Adventure.
Year: First aired in Japan : 19th July 2008.
Creator(s): Hayao Miyazaki.
Summary:
Sôsuke is a five year old boy living in a small fishing town. One day while playing on the shore, he discovers a strange goldenfish with a human face trapped into a glass jar. He frees the strange creature and names it Ponyo. This strange goldenfish is in fact Brunehild, the daughter of Fujimoto (a once-human wizard) and Gran Mamare (also known as the Goddess of Mercy by humans). Fascinated by Sôsuke and his world, she wants to become human and live on Earth. But her use of magic causes a dangerous unbalance in Nature…
Inspiration: 5 stars.
Positivity: 5 stars.
Family-friendliness: 5 stars.
Why we like it: A beautiful story, I’m rarely disappointed by a Ghibli, as usual the characters are well rounded and very moving. Same conclusion with the background, which is absolutely wonderful.
Who can read / watch: Everyone aged 8 and above.
Favorite moment: The appearance of Gran Mamare, I found her to be absolutely beautiful.
PoArtMo verdict: While searching some information about the film, I found out that the animation was totally hand-drawn, which is amazing and incredible! Beautiful music by Joe Hisaishi (as usual I’m tempted to say). I love the references to Andersen and his Little Mermaid and those to Wagner with Brunehild (which is the real name of Ponyo) and ‘The Ride of the Valkyries’ when Ponyo, as a little girl, rides waves to find Sôsuke.
For more information on the show, check out these links below.
Tomonoura which inspired Sôsuke’s birth place
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