Whisper of the Heart

"Whisper of the Heart" (Japanese: 耳をすませば, Hepburn: Mimi o Sumaseba, meaning "If You Listen Carefully") is a 1995 Japanese animated romantic drama movie made by Studio Ghibli. It was directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie combines Kondō's amazing attention to visual details with Miyazaki's brilliant storytelling. Together, they turned Aoi Hiiragi's 1989 manga into a touching story about the challenges and dreams of being a teenager.

The story is about Shizuku Tsukishima, a 14-year-old student who loves to read and dreams of becoming a writer. She notices that the library books she borrows were all previously checked out by someone named Seiji Amasawa. This mystery leads her to meet Seiji, a boy her age who wants to become a master violin maker. Seiji's strong dedication to his dream inspires Shizuku to take her writing more seriously, while Shizuku's creativity and passion encourage Seiji to stay focused on his own goals. Through this friendship, both characters grow and push themselves to follow their dreams.

One interesting part of the movie is how it uses John Denver's song "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Shizuku translates the song into Japanese for her school's chorus club, and it becomes a symbol of her personal growth and creativity. For example, when she writes her own version of the song's lyrics, it shows how she’s starting to believe in herself and express her ideas more confidently. This moment is a big step in her journey of discovering who she is.

"Whisper of the Heart" was the first Studio Ghibli film not directed by either Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. It was Yoshifumi Kondō's first and only time directing a movie, as he sadly passed away in 1998. Kondō’s directing style, which focused on realistic emotions and detailed visuals, shines throughout the film and makes it a beautiful tribute to his talent. Studio Ghibli had hoped Kondō would take on a bigger role in the studio after this movie.

The film was a huge success in Japan. It was the highest-grossing Japanese movie in 1995, earning ¥1.85 billion in distribution income and ¥3.15 billion overall at the box office.

In 2002, Studio Ghibli released a spin-off movie called "The Cat Returns." This film focuses on the character of the Baron, a cat figurine that is important in Shizuku's story. While "Whisper of the Heart" is about creativity and personal growth, "The Cat Returns" is a fun and magical adventure that expands on the fantasy elements introduced in the first film. These two movies are connected through the Baron and their shared themes of self-discovery.

"Whisper of the Heart" is still loved today for its warm storytelling, relatable characters, and inspiring message about chasing your dreams and staying true to yourself.