From Up on Poppy Hill proves Studio Ghibli's slice-of-life films shine

Fifteen years on, From Up on Poppy Hill makes a case for Studio Ghibli's quieter, slice-of-life dramas over its sprawling fantasy epics. While the studio is often associated with works like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, this restrained story lingers in ways the bigger spectacles sometimes do not.

Set in 1960s Japan, the film follows Umi, a headstrong girl who joins fellow student Shun in a fight to save their school's Latin Quarter. The building itself becomes a bustling character, hosting eclectic clubs and societies as a spirited, anti-authority campaign plays out against Satoshi Takebe's bouncy, hummable score.

The film blends rebellion, humor and poignancy into a thoughtful exploration of childhood and its influence on adulthood. Small but powerful images — notably the signal flags linked to Umi's father — hit unexpectedly, and the emotional turns are orchestrated with the subtle hand of Goro, Hayao Miyazaki's son and the film's director.

Japan

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