Review of "Ponyo": Hayao Miyazaki's magical and moving world

Ponyo on the Cliff - Ponyo on the Cliff

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

July 19, 2008 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Toho

■Frequencies

101 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Hayao Miyazaki

■ Director

Hayao Miyazaki

■ Production

・Produced by Studio Ghibli

■Works

© 2008 Studio Ghibli・NDHDMT

■ Story

One day, Ponyo, a little fish, runs away from home on a jellyfish, but drowns when she buries her head in a jam jar. Sosuke, a five-year-old boy who lives in a house on a cliff, finds Ponyo washed up on the shore and rescues her from the jar. The two develop feelings for each other, but Ponyo's father Fujimoto takes her back into the sea. However, Ponyo, who wants to become human and live with Sosuke, steals her father's magic with the help of her sisters and aims to return to the human world.

■Explanation

Miyazaki Hayao insisted on drawing by hand, and animated the film by hand without using CG. Director Miyazaki Hayao's works have always captivated audiences with their unique worldview and beautiful visuals. "Ponyo on the Cliff" is one such work, and the story that connects the world of the sea and the world of humans is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. In particular, Ponyo's character has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. In addition, Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies add excitement to the story and capture the hearts of audiences. This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination.

■Cast

Ponyo / Yuria Nara / Sousuke / Hiroki Doi / Lisa / Tomoko Yamaguchi / Koichi / Kazushige Nagashima / Gran Mammare / Yuki Amami / Fujimoto / George Tokoro / Wife / Rumi Hiiragi / Little Sisters / Akiko Yano / Toki-san / Kazuko Yoshiyuki / Yoshie-san / Tomoko Naraoka

■ Main staff

・Original story, script, director: Hayao Miyazaki・Producer: Toshio Suzuki・Production: Koji Hoshino・Music: Joe Hisaishi・Chief animation director: Katsuya Kondo・Assistant animation directors: Kitaro Kosaka, Ai Kagawa, Takeshi Inamura, Akihiko Yamashita・Chief animation directors: Anime Toro Toro, Nakamura Productions, Studio Takuranke, Studio Cockpit, Doga Kobo, GONZO, Brain's Base, Tatsunoko Productions, Studio Khara・Key animation: Atsuko Tanaka, Kenichi Yamada, Hideaki Yoshio, Eiji Yamamori, Makiko Niki, Shinji Otsuka, Kenichi Konishi, Yu Honda, and others・Art director: Noboru Yoshida・Assistant art directors: Naoya Tanaka, Naomi Kasugai, Takashi Omori・Backgrounds: Ryoko Ina, Sayaka Hirahara, Yoshikazu Fukudome, Yoji Takeshige, Kazuo Oga, and others・Color design: Michiyo Yasuda・Editing: Takeshi Seyama・Sound editing: Hideji Inoue・Sound effects: Hiroshi Kasamatsu (Digital Circus)
・Recording direction: Eriko Kimura・Conductor, piano: Joe Hisaishi・Performance: New Japan Philharmonic・Voice: Mai・Chorus: Ritsuyukai Choir・Special sponsor: Asahi Soft Drinks・Special cooperation: Lawson, Yomiuri Shimbun・Production: Seiji Okuda, Ryoichi Fukuyama, Naoya Fujimaki・Produced by: Studio Ghibli・Distribution: Toho

■ Main Characters

・Ponyo A fish girl who meets Sosuke and wishes to become human. Ponyo is at the center of the story with her pure heart and curious personality. Her sense of adventure and friendship move the audience.
Sosuke A relaxed and straightforward 5-year-old boy who lives in a house on a cliff. Sosuke's kindness and courage deepen his friendship with Ponyo and play an important role in advancing the story.
・Lisa Sosuke's mother. A staff member at the daycare center. A smart woman. Lisa's strength and kindness are what support her family.
Koichi Lisa's husband and Sosuke's father. Captain of a domestic cargo ship. He is often away from home. Koichi's presence strengthens the family bond while also deepening the background of the story.
Gran Mammare: Ponyo's mother and the mother of the sea. Her existence plays an important role in connecting the world of the sea and the world of humans.
・Fujimoto is Ponyo's father. He pilots the Upazame underwater. Fujimoto's character symbolizes the mystery and harshness of the sea.
- Lady Ponyo and Sosuke meet an old-fashioned woman holding a baby. Her presence adds warmth and humanity to the story.
- A school of young fish, including her younger sisters. They are raised in a water polo. Their presence is an important element in Ponyo's adventure.
Toki-san
The wheelchair-bound old man from "Sunflower House." He always makes sarcastic remarks. Toki's character adds humor and depth to the story.
Yoshie
The wheelchair-bound elderly woman in "Sunflower House." Her presence enriches the human relationships in the story.

■ Related works

・The mystery hidden in the countdown to the release of "Ponyo on the Cliff"

■ Theme songs and music

・TM1
・Mother of the Sea・Lyrics: Wakako Kaku, Hayao Miyazaki・Music: Joe Hisaishi・Arrangement: Joe Hisaishi・Singer: Masako Hayashi

・TM2
Ponyo on the Cliff Lyrics by Katsuya Kondo Additional lyrics by Hayao Miyazaki Music by Joe Hisaishi Arrangement by Joe Hisaishi Vocals by Fujimaki Fujioka and Nozomi Ohashi

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"Ponyo on the Cliff" is a Studio Ghibli masterpiece that combines director Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview with beautiful visuals. This work depicts the value of friendship, family love, and adventure through a story that connects the sea and the human world. In particular, the pure friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke warms the hearts of audiences. Furthermore, the beauty of hand-drawn animation is a rare presence in the modern animation industry where CG has become mainstream.

Ponyo's character has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. Her sense of adventure and friendship inspires a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. Sosuke's kindness and courage also deepen the story and resonate with the audience. Lisa and Koichi's familial love adds warmth and depth to the story, and Gran Mamare and Fujimoto's presence symbolize the mystery and harshness of the sea.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies enrich the emotion of the story and capture the hearts of the audience. In particular, "Ocean Mother" and "Ponyo on the Cliff" are important pieces that symbolize the theme of the story and will remain in the audience's memories.

This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination. The story that connects the world of the sea and the world of humans has been loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults, and has gained many fans. In particular, the character of Ponyo has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. In addition, the music, Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies, liven up the story and capture the hearts of the audience. This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination.

"Ponyo on the Cliff" is a Studio Ghibli masterpiece that combines director Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview with beautiful visuals. This work depicts the value of friendship, family love, and adventure through a story that connects the sea and the human world. In particular, the pure friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke warms the hearts of audiences. Furthermore, the beauty of hand-drawn animation is a rare presence in the modern animation industry where CG has become mainstream.

Ponyo's character has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. Her sense of adventure and friendship inspires a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. Sosuke's kindness and courage also deepen the story and resonate with the audience. Lisa and Koichi's familial love adds warmth and depth to the story, and Gran Mamare and Fujimoto's presence symbolize the mystery and harshness of the sea.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies enrich the emotion of the story and capture the hearts of the audience. In particular, "Ocean Mother" and "Ponyo on the Cliff" are important pieces that symbolize the theme of the story and will remain in the audience's memories.

This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination. The story that connects the world of the sea and the world of humans has been loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults, and has gained many fans. In particular, the character of Ponyo has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. In addition, the music, Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies, liven up the story and capture the hearts of the audience. This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination.

"Ponyo on the Cliff" is a Studio Ghibli masterpiece that combines director Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview with beautiful visuals. This work depicts the value of friendship, family love, and adventure through a story that connects the sea and the human world. In particular, the pure friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke warms the hearts of audiences. Furthermore, the beauty of hand-drawn animation is a rare presence in the modern animation industry where CG has become mainstream.

Ponyo's character has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. Her sense of adventure and friendship inspires a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. Sosuke's kindness and courage also deepen the story and resonate with the audience. Lisa and Koichi's familial love adds warmth and depth to the story, and Gran Mamare and Fujimoto's presence symbolize the mystery and harshness of the sea.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies enrich the emotion of the story and capture the hearts of the audience. In particular, "Ocean Mother" and "Ponyo on the Cliff" are important pieces that symbolize the theme of the story and will remain in the audience's memories.

This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination. The story that connects the world of the sea and the world of humans has been loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults, and has gained many fans. In particular, the character of Ponyo has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. In addition, the music, Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies, liven up the story and capture the hearts of the audience. This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination.

"Ponyo on the Cliff" is a Studio Ghibli masterpiece that combines director Hayao Miyazaki's unique worldview with beautiful visuals. This work depicts the value of friendship, family love, and adventure through a story that connects the sea and the human world. In particular, the pure friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke warms the hearts of audiences. Furthermore, the beauty of hand-drawn animation is a rare presence in the modern animation industry where CG has become mainstream.

Ponyo's character has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. Her sense of adventure and friendship inspires a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. Sosuke's kindness and courage also deepen the story and resonate with the audience. Lisa and Koichi's familial love adds warmth and depth to the story, and Gran Mamare and Fujimoto's presence symbolize the mystery and harshness of the sea.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies enrich the emotion of the story and capture the hearts of the audience. In particular, "Ocean Mother" and "Ponyo on the Cliff" are important pieces that symbolize the theme of the story and will remain in the audience's memories.

This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination. The story that connects the world of the sea and the world of humans has been loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults, and has gained many fans. In particular, the character of Ponyo has won many fans for her cuteness and purity. In addition, the music, Joe Hisaishi's beautiful melodies, liven up the story and capture the hearts of the audience. This work can be said to be a masterpiece that combines Studio Ghibli's traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with Hayao Miyazaki's rich imagination.