Mimi wo Sumaseba (If you listen closely), also known as
Whisper of the Heart, is a tale based on the screenplay from the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki. I find this anime movie to be a very realistic and it portrays teenage hood very accurately.It's a pleasant surprise for me to hear the song
'Take me Home, Country Roads'. I love this song and I feel that this song is perfectly used in this movie. It totally suits the mood and the flow of the story.
Seiji and ShizukuPlotMimi wo Sumaseba centers around 14 year old junior high school student Shizuku Tsukishima. She loves to read and her favorite place is the library. She notices that every time she opens a library book, the same name appears on the library loan card: 'Seiji Amasawa'. She's amazed that this person borrowed all the books before she did. As Shizuku learns who this person is, she eventually falls in love with him.One day, Seiji informs her that his parents have consented to let him go to Cremona, Italy for two months to study with a master violin maker. Initially, she feels inferior to him as he knows what he wants to do in life, whereas she doesn't. She decides to use the two months to test herself too - she will write a book to see if her writing skill is good enough.In the process of writing the book, she begins to learn about herself and her goals in life. Though confused and frustrated, she perseveres and manages to finish the book. However, she realizes her inadequacy and decides to study more to improve herself further.A day after she finishes writing the book, Seiji returns from Italy and brings her to his secret place. At the secret place, they look out at the beautiful morning view, waiting for the sunrise. After watching the sunrise, Seiji asks Shizuku if she's willing to marry him, not now but, after he comes a violin master. Shizuku happily agrees.
Morning MistArt/AnimationThe art/animation is stunning. I especially love the sunrise scene. It's one of the most beautifully animated sunrise scene I've seen. I also love the scene with the morning mist. Simply beautiful!
Beautiful Sunrise (almost real!!)CharactersThis is a very realistic anime movie. The emotions and confusion Shizuku deals with are very realistic. The problems she faces are the ones we have all faced before, and the way she tries to handle the problems is also like how we might handle them.Favorite Character:
Seiji (The way he tries to borrow as many books as he could, in the hope that Shizuku will notice his name, is so sweet.)
Seiji and ShizukuPlotMimi wo Sumaseba centers around 14 year old junior high school student Shizuku Tsukishima. She loves to read and her favorite place is the library. She notices that every time she opens a library book, the same name appears on the library loan card: 'Seiji Amasawa'. She's amazed that this person borrowed all the books before she did. As Shizuku learns who this person is, she eventually falls in love with him.One day, Seiji informs her that his parents have consented to let him go to Cremona, Italy for two months to study with a master violin maker. Initially, she feels inferior to him as he knows what he wants to do in life, whereas she doesn't. She decides to use the two months to test herself too - she will write a book to see if her writing skill is good enough.In the process of writing the book, she begins to learn about herself and her goals in life. Though confused and frustrated, she perseveres and manages to finish the book. However, she realizes her inadequacy and decides to study more to improve herself further.A day after she finishes writing the book, Seiji returns from Italy and brings her to his secret place. At the secret place, they look out at the beautiful morning view, waiting for the sunrise. After watching the sunrise, Seiji asks Shizuku if she's willing to marry him, not now but, after he comes a violin master. Shizuku happily agrees.
Morning MistArt/AnimationThe art/animation is stunning. I especially love the sunrise scene. It's one of the most beautifully animated sunrise scene I've seen. I also love the scene with the morning mist. Simply beautiful!
Beautiful Sunrise (almost real!!)CharactersThis is a very realistic anime movie. The emotions and confusion Shizuku deals with are very realistic. The problems she faces are the ones we have all faced before, and the way she tries to handle the problems is also like how we might handle them.Favorite Character: Seiji (The way he tries to borrow as many books as he could, in the hope that Shizuku will notice his name, is so sweet.)