From Up on Poppy Hill
2011 · Directed by Goro Miyazaki
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- drama
The story
Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics—and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun—but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
What it’s like
Soft hand-drawn watercolour backgrounds bloom with morning haze, laundry on lines, and sea light falling across harbour-town rooftops, all rendered in gentle pastels that feel like a sunlit 1960s memory. Camera moves are unhurried and tender, lingering on everyday rituals like flag-raising, cooking breakfast, and cleaning out an old clubhouse full of dusty rooms and paper. The score is warm and wistful, built on piano and acoustic strings that rise with the students' youthful energy, while quiet stretches let the sounds of bells, footsteps, and wind carry the scene. The vibe is nostalgic and hopeful with a soft undertow of melancholy, suited to a rainy Sunday or a comfort rewatch. Pacing is patient and conversational, with a slow-building romance between two teenagers who gradually open up about grief and family history, while the wider community finds its footing after the war. Intensity is very low: no violence, no gore, and only mild emotional sadness about a dead parent. It is for viewers who want gentle, character-driven coming-of-age with period charm and no sharp edges.
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