Ponyo Review

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo, a fish, leaves her home to explore the outside world. When she approaches dry land, Sosuke, a young boy, finds her and promises to look after her. But Ponyo is more than just a simple gold fish, as Sosuke suspects but she may be even more magical than he thinks!

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

DYK: Ponyo is Japanese Onomatopoeia
for something soft like a fat belly or cheek

Story: It takes place in two major settings: Land and Sea, where better to portray that mixture than in a quiet little port town. We meet characters from both worlds and see all kinds of interesting creatures and places. At times I was left wondering if I should be amazed or frightened by some of the events in the film, an epic adventure but not in a going off to far lands kind of way, in fact the far away things come to the town! Aimed at young ones but the simplicity conveys messages clearly to people of any age. It concerns the state of our planet and mother nature, relationships and bonds, freedom and being true to your word.

The film won "Anime of the year" at the
8th Annual Tokyo Anime Awards

Characters: Sosuke is a steadfast 5 year old boy who lives with his mother on a cliff by the sea. After watching an interview with Miyazaki-san I discovered that he wanted Sosuke to be a boy who keeps his promises, a good determined young lad. Ponyo is a fish who lives in the ocean with her interesting father Fujimoto. Sosuke's mother Lisa, is tenacious, calm and does not shy away from a challenge, Miyazaki-san says he thinks all mothers should be like Lisa. The environment, the ocean, is a character. The ocean changes with the moods of the film and is an integral part of the film I would even go so far as to say the main character. Throughout the film I never felt as if Ponyo, Sosuke or anyone else was the main focus, they are not the story they are simply part of it. A key point in the film is the relationship between Ponyo and Sosuke which, as Ghibli usually gets right, isn't some cliche lovey-dovey story but an honest friendship. There is no short supply of laughs or feel-good moments in this film with the diverse groups of characters ranging from kids to senior citizens, they intermingle to heartwarming and funny effect.

Fish are friends not food

Presentation: The film is breathtakingly beautiful. The animation style is different, somewhat like a picture book, I might describe it as softer, lighter and less detailed. I have come to know Studio Ghibli to be very detailed in their animation but it turns out that in this film they were trying something different, having fun and not taking things so seriously. You could pause the movie at any point and take a picture and hang it on a wall. Hisaishi's music takes us for a ride along this ocean-themed rollercoaster. My favourite song has to be the main theme! Gake no Ue no Ponyo. "Ponyo Ponyo Ponyo saka na no ko!" What a great song, but there are so many that go unmentioned.


Final Thoughts: Yes, you should watch this. This would be a great movie to watch with the family, Miyazaki-san said that he wrote this story for 5 year olds, but that doesn't mean older people can't enjoy it! What I love is that every part of the story is great as a standalone, you could watch just the story boards, just look at the hand-drawn animation and hand-made backgrounds or just listen to the music and you would still be satisfied. But Ponyo is more than the sum of its many (excellent) parts! But sorry I've gotta go kiss a bubble! Ponyo loves Sosuke!

The credits of the film were hand-drawn by Hayao Miyazaki and featured everyone involved including a personal illustration for each of them. Now that's a way to express gratitude!