I remember watching this film for the first time waiting for my sisters’ art class to finish, sitting on the dirty paint drizzled carpet with the smell of acrylic in the air. By the time my sisters finished their lesson I was already so invested in the movie that their art teacher allowed us to stay until the end of the film.
This film made by Studio Ghibli, is hands-down the best film they’ve made ever. I can’t count the number of times I’ve rewatched this film just for the amazing second by second seamless clips and adorable storyline and characters. They created a world that is both a little bit fantastical and also captures elements of a young and innocent childhood that we can all relate to.
Ponyo is a whimsical twist of the classic The Little Mermaid, only ten times better. The film follows a tiny goldfish princess who escapes her controlling sorcerer father only to wash ashore at the home of a little boy named Sosuke. As they grow closer and find a bond over delicious ham, Ponyo wishes to become a human to continue to stay by his side. The two fight through adventurous journeys together against the world that divides them, and a certain father wishing to find his daughter again.
This 2008 film will forever be a game-changer in animation history, along with all of the Studio Ghibli movies, for its use of raw and traditional animation techniques. I truly can’t recommend this adorable childhood animation enough. When you find yourself alone on a cold rainy night and feeling like a side of ramen, make sure to find the nearest blanket and play the film Ponyo.
(How could you not want to watch it after looking at this?)