Being one of the few Studio Ghibli movies I hadn’t given a chance yet, I had been dying to see Whisper of the Heart. Yet based on the trailer, it’s really difficult to comprehend what the plot was going to be about. I couldn’t tell if it was going to be like Spirited Away, going off into a fantasy land. Or like Grave of the Fireflies, sad and about real life.
To my pleasure, Whisper of the Heart was both!
Not only did this wondrous tale have the cutest, sassiest, and fattest cat in anime history (see above), it also had great . . . well . . .heart. It was a story about youth and trying to figure out what to make of your life.
The characters
Our main character, Shizuku, who is a total fantasy book nerd like most of us, is graduating junior high. Schooling works a little different in Japan, where high school acts almost more as pre-college than it does high school. Entrance exams are intense, and you pretty much need to have everything you’re ever going to do in life figured out by the time you’re 15. I’m almost ten years beyond that and I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow.
Similar to almost every Ghibli movie, this youthful energetic girl meets a boy. This boy, Seiji, is like the stereotypical anime boy. Looks super cool, is kind of rude, but genuinely cares about Shizuku. He dreams of becoming a world famous violin maker, and studying abroad in Italy to perfect his craft instead of going to a Japanese high school. In a very unique way, this inspires Shizuku to figure herself and her own passions out.
Okay, so I know you’re all wondering. Where does the fantasy come in? Where is the infamous handsome cat in the long white coat and top hat? Trust me, we’re getting there.
The dual story
After being inspired from an antique shop, Shizuku uses her knowledge of fantasy/YA books and creates her own. She bases the story on herself, diving into a mystical land. The hero of her story is this cat, who is looking for his lost bride. The two travel together, avoiding obstacles in the mystical land she invents in her head.
What’s most interesting about this plot line is how they jump back and forth between her story and her reality. It effects Shizuku’s home and school life, but she decides to put it all aside to focus on her dream.
The message
As I was watching this progress, I felt closer and closer to our main character. I, too, am trying to write a story. I know its going to be messy, not well composed, but just like Shizuku, I am going to persevere and do it even when I may not want to anymore. It’s a great movie for inspiring writers. It displays the message of “if at first you don’t succeed, try again,” but in a much prettier, Studio Ghibli, way.
If you’re in some what of a slump with your dreams, I definitely recommend this film. Its cute, inspiring, and has Country Roads as the main OST for the movie.
Plus, look at this adorably rude cat.
What are some of your favorite Ghibli movies? Do you have any movies that inspire you to do your passions, such as write, draw, or anything you love to do?
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