Only Yesterday is a 1991 Japanese animated film directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. It tells the story of Taeko Okajima, a 27-year-old single woman who takes a trip to the countryside to visit her relatives. As she travels, Taeko reflects on her childhood and adolescence and comes to terms with her own life choices.
Only Yesterday in Pieces
The Trip
Taeko’s trip to the countryside is a chance for her to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with her roots. She visits her sister’s family and helps them with the safflower harvest. She also has the opportunity to meet some of her old schoolmates.
Reflections
As Taeko helps her sister’s family with the harvest, she has flashbacks to her own childhood. She remembers her first crush, her rivalry with her sister, and her dreams for the future. She also comes to realize how much she has changed since she was a child.
Central Theme
The central theme of Only Yesterday is self-discovery. Taeko’s trip to the countryside is a journey back in time, but it is also a journey of self-awareness. As she reflects on her past, Taeko comes to understand her own strengths and weaknesses, and she begins to make peace with her life choices.
Crux of the Movie
The crux of Only Yesterday is that it is okay to not have all of the answers. Taeko is a 27-year-old woman who is still trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. She is not sure if she wants to get married and have children, and she has not yet found a career that she is passionate about. However, she is learning to accept herself for who she is, and she is making peace with the fact that she does not have everything figured out.
Only Yesterday is a beautiful and heartwarming film about the journey of self-discovery. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it.
Among other things, Taeko reflects the silent life of many adults in their late twenties. If you don’t know where you are going, grab a compass, hold it to a magnet, and watch the needle spin around in tight circles. Here is the truth about the universe: your GPS is not infallible and once or twice it will tell you to drive into a lake instead of your grandparent’s house. We all take wrong turns sometimes. We go left when we were supposed to go right and it ends up being the best choice we’ve made our whole lives. Being lost is just an adventure waiting to begin.
Conclusion
Only Yesterday is a forgotten masterpiece of animation. It is a deeply personal and introspective film that explores the universal themes of growing up, nostalgia, and self-discovery. Takahata’s direction is masterful, and the film is beautifully animated.
The film’s central character, Taeko, is a complex and relatable protagonist. She is intelligent, independent, and ambitious, but she is also insecure and unsure of herself. Only Yesterday is a film that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own life.