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Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

bbc.co.uk

21–30 of 39 posts

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#21
post #8

I'm assuming that a lot of people will be commenting about Grave of the Fireflies. It's a stunning movie, but I felt a much greater connection to My Neighbors The Yamadas. I found it to be such a delightful movie, full of small family moments. Very few actual crises, very few actual stakes, but so wonderfully realized. It's a great loss.

Kaguya hime no monogatari was a masterpiece.

Absolutely agree. While I've had mixed reactions to his movies, I absolutely adored Kaguya. I didn't expect such a simple story could bring me to the point of tears, but it was very emotional, and the animation was amazing.

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#22
post #10

I'm assuming that a lot of people will be commenting about Grave of the Fireflies. It's a stunning movie, but I felt a much greater connection to My Neighbors The Yamadas. I found it to be such a delightful movie, full of small family moments. Very few actual crises, very few actual stakes, but so wonderfully realized. It's a great loss.

Grave of the Fireflies is a movie I can't think of watching again. Extremely beautiful but also emotionally exhausting. I really enjoyed Only Yesterday. But I tend to like "slice of life" stuff.

Slice of life films tend to depress and/or stress me. I tend to avoid them because I empathize too much. Just reading the wikipedia summaries of the films you wrote about, got me anxious, especially `Only Yesterday` because I'm at the same age with the protagonist and my career and love life are lacking.

If a film has a [redacted-for-spoilers] aspect, even with all the drama, I enjoy it more. If you're like me, you'll definitely enjoy `Your Name`. I cried more than when I watched Lion King for the first time.

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#24
post #19
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Grave of the Fireflies is a movie I can't think of watching again. Extremely beautiful but also emotionally exhausting. I really enjoyed Only Yesterday. But I tend to like "slice of life" stuff.

Indeed, “Grave of the Fireflies” was the first ever, and so far only, movie that has brought me to tears. If anyone ever questions if an animated movie can ever convey emotions like “real” movies, think of this masterpiece.

The best part is, those that deny the power, can prove it by watching the movie.

Experience says there won't be a repeat viewing.

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#26
post #11

Studio Ghibli movies shaped my childhood and I loved them. (My parents didn't even realise they were Anime until later, they assumed it was from Disney because they were so well made) Spirited Away was a favorite family movie for a long time. I think Laputa - Castle in the Sky will remain my all-time favorite and Princess Mononoke second.

For some, it probably shaped it more than they knew. The Rankin-Bass animations (The Hobbit, The Last Unicorn, etc) was outsourced to a studio named Topcraft.

> The studio went bankrupt and dissolved in June 15, 1985 essentially splitting the studio in half. Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata bought the studio when laying off most of its animation staff and changed its name to Studio Ghibli.

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#27
post #11

Studio Ghibli movies shaped my childhood and I loved them. (My parents didn't even realise they were Anime until later, they assumed it was from Disney because they were so well made) Spirited Away was a favorite family movie for a long time. I think Laputa - Castle in the Sky will remain my all-time favorite and Princess Mononoke second.

I would put Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind slightly above Laputa, but agreed otherwise :)

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#29
post #6

I'm assuming that a lot of people will be commenting about Grave of the Fireflies. It's a stunning movie, but I felt a much greater connection to My Neighbors The Yamadas. I found it to be such a delightful movie, full of small family moments. Very few actual crises, very few actual stakes, but so wonderfully realized. It's a great loss.

I haven't yet seen it - the only Ghibli animation I did not dare to watch. Heck, I cry my eyes out after each and every one, I might as well just jump from a bridge... Though Pom Poko is wonderful (another Takahata one), it's enviromentalism is subtle and sad. Yamadas were lovely.

I have the same. I cry in every Ghibli movie, even if they're fun to watch. I cry even when I think about Totoro flying around the big tree, I cry when I remember how Kiki can handle the world and her own life all by herself and I cry when I think about the killer robots of Laputa helping the little animals and plants to survive on that killing machine.

And I don't usually cry in the movies.

And yes, Grave of the Fireflies is tough.

Edit: Or that train crossing the flooded plains. Uh... We should not forget Joe Hisaishi's part in this.

Edit2: Or how Porco can't face love after being part of the war as a pilot.

Re: Japanese anime director Isao Takahata has died

#30
post #19
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Grave of the Fireflies is a movie I can't think of watching again. Extremely beautiful but also emotionally exhausting. I really enjoyed Only Yesterday. But I tend to like "slice of life" stuff.

Indeed, “Grave of the Fireflies” was the first ever, and so far only, movie that has brought me to tears. If anyone ever questions if an animated movie can ever convey emotions like “real” movies, think of this masterpiece.

> was the first ever, and so far only, movie that has brought me to tears

What about "Life is Beautiful" and/or "It's a Wonderful Life"?

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