About Only Yesterday (Japanese Audio)

Only Yesterday is a 1991 Japanese Anime feature film written and directed by Isao Takahata. The movie revolves around the 27-year-old Taeko Okajima who revisits her childhood memories while traveling to the countryside. The film presents two parallel narratives, one chronicling Taeko's 5th grade self in flashbacks and the other detailing her current life and the people she encounters during her vacation.

Making / Production

"Only Yesterday" was made by the acclaimed Studio Ghibli, under the direction of Isao Takahata - best known for his film "Grave of the Fireflies". This film deviated from the traditional Ghibli style as it was aimed at a more mature audience and focused on realistic scenarios rather than fantasy elements.

Actors

• Miki Imai provides the voice for the adult Taeko Okajima. Imai's portrayal is tender and introspective, reflecting Taeko's personal journey through nostalgia and self-discovery.
• Toshiro Yanagiba voices Toshio, the organic farmer who Taeko meets during her visit to the countryside. His calm and understanding character acts as a companion to Taeko’s journey.
• In her childhood memories, Taeko is voiced by Yoko Honna.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Although the film was initially released only in Japan, it found an international audience when it was dubbed in English and released in the United States, becoming a critical success.
• Only Yesterday is notably one of the few films in the Studio Ghibli roster that doesn't feature any magical or fantastical elements.
• The movie was based on a manga of the same name by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone.

Quotes

• "Isn't it strange? At home in Tokyo, all I think of is the countryside. And yet when I'm home in Yamagata, all I can think of is Tokyo."
• "You can't go back to the past. All we have is our present."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score is composed by Masaru Hoshi
• The ending theme song of the movie, "The Rose," is a cover of the song by Bette Midler, performed by Amanda McBroom.