Ghibliis arguably the most well-known studio in anime, boasting several movies that have become hits around the world. Four of those films,Spirited Away,The Boy and the Heron,Howl’s Moving Castle, andPonyo,are all in the top 10 highest-grossing Japanese films in history. The studio co-founder andlegend of the industry, Hayao Miyazaki, is an instantly recognizable name for any fan of anime and film in general, having directed many of the most popular anime movies ever.
Miyazaki and Ghibli are synonymous with one another, with titles likeMy Neighbor Totoro,Kiki’s Delivery Service, and PrincessMononoke, alongside the studio’s four highest-grossing projects, all being works by the world-famous director. However, Hayao Miyazaki isn’t the only Ghibli director with top-notch work under his belt.Many of the studio’s other filmsoffer experiences just as worthwhile, despite not being quite as popular. And one of those underrated movies is among Ghibli’s very best.
Whisper of the Heart Is One of Ghibli’s Best, Most Underrated Movies
The 1995 Film Offers Everything Fans Want From Ghibli and More
To the countless Ghibli fanatics around the world, 1995’sWhisper of the Heartis a well-known and beloved film.The casual viewer, on the other hand, is likely to have never seen it. Rarely held in the same regard as Studio Ghibli’s other most popular works,Whisper of the Heartis an incredibly moving, heartwarming story that is guaranteed to speak to all the creatives in its audience. Following 14-year-old Shizuku, the film focuses on the young teen’s life in Tokyo and her journey of self-discovery, often set to varying renditions of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.
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A coming-of-age movie with a touch of romance and Ghibli’s trademark beautiful visuals,Whisper of the Heartslowly reels in the attention of the viewer and refuses to let go until the final credits roll. Shizuku learns to express herself through writing, while Seiji, whom Shizuku eventually befriends after a somewhat rocky start between the two, is an aspiring luthier, or a maker of musical instruments. The film chronicles their time spent both together and apart,showcasing their intertwining creative journeys.
A Uniquely Grounded Story for a Ghibli Film
Whisper of the Heart Leaves Ghibli’s Usual Fantasy Behind
Studio Ghibli movies, especially those by Hayao Miyazaki, typically use heavy fantasy elements to drive home deeply human themes.Whisper of the Heart, however,is unique in Ghibli’s lineup for just how grounded a film it is. Leaving behind mythical creatures, floating castles, and fish girls,Whisper of the Heartinstead turns its focus on the very human characters moving its narrative forward. Each of the cast members is endearing and enjoyable to have on-screen, from Shizuku and Seiji, to Shiro and his musician buddies.
The closest the film comes to the usual Ghibli fantasy elements is during its sequences with the Baron, which is a statue of a cat wearing a top hat that Shizuku uses as the main inspiration for the story she writes in the latter half of the movie. The rest of the film is a simple, wholesome exploration oftwo young people discovering and following their creative desires. From a narrative standpoint,Whisper of the Heartplays like a prototype to2024’sLook Back, which takes cues from the former in its tale of two young artists inspiring one another.
Fortunately for the audience,Whisper of the Heartlargely avoids the tragedy which definesLook Backin its second half,while delivering just as hopeful and inspiring a story. Yoshifumi Kondo, who directed the film, was set to become Miyazaki’s successor at Studio Ghibli, having lent his talents as art director to other works likeKiki’s Delivery ServiceandPrincess Mononoke. However, Kondo tragically passed away in 1998 at age 47.
Whisper of the Heart Is the Rare Ghibli Film to Have Sequels
The Film Spawned a Spin-Off and a Live-Action Sequel
It’s incredibly rare for Ghibli films to berevisited down the line in sequels. In fact, the studio has only ever produced one: 2002’sThe Cat Returns. FeaturingWhisper of the Heart’s Baron and Muta,The Cat Returnsisn’t so much a sequel as it is a spin-off, leaving Shizuku and the rest of the original cast behind to tell an all-new story. Though not quite as impactful as its predecessor, the film is tightly paced and an overall good time, packing quite a bit into a concise 75-minute runtime.
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The much stranger follow-up comes with 2022’s live-action sequel, also titledWhisper of the Heart. Directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa and with no involvement from Studio Ghibli,the film follows Shizuku and Seiji 10 years after the events of the 1995 movie. Both now struggling with the careers they made from following their creative desires, they must rediscover the passion they once had for their work. The film is an inoffensive sequel, though it largely fails to capture any of the magic of Ghibli’sWhisper of the Heart.
Many Other Non-Miyazaki Ghibli Films Are Also Worthwhile
Though the films by Hayao Miyazaki will always dominate the spotlight,Studio Ghibli has quite a bit to offer other than his many iconic movies. 1988’sGrave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata, is one of themost haunting World War II filmsever created, and sticks out among Ghibli’s other works in just how relentlessly dark it is throughout. On the other hand, films like 2010’sThe Secret World of Arrietyand 2011’sFrom Up on Poppy Hilloffer the typical coziness fans can find throughout the Ghibli catalog.
However, no other non-Miyazaki-directedStudio Ghiblifilm can quite compare toWhisper of the Heart. From its classic visuals to itsmasterful soundtrack, and story that will warm the coldest of hearts while inspiring the most creatively troubled, the movie is by far the most underrated to have ever been produced by the iconic animation studio. If anime fans are searching for Ghibli quality but a story that’s a bit more grounded than its usual works,there’s no better place to look than 1995’sWhisper of the Heart.
Whisper of the Heart
Cast
Whisper of the Heart, directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and written by Hayao Miyazaki, is a heartwarming tale of adolescent love and finding one’s passion. The story follows Shizuku, a young girl who aspires to be a writer, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery after encountering a mysterious cat statue that leads her to Seiji, a boy determined to become a master violin maker.
