Only Yesterday [Blu-ray]

Overview

Legendary animator Isao Takahata wrote and directed this nostalgic film, based on a manga by Yuko Tone and Hotaru Okamoto. The story centers on Taeko, a 27-year-old office worker who is sick of her job and ready for a change. As she ventures to the rural Yamagata prefecture to visit her sister and brother-in-law, her mind wanders back to moments from her childhood and adolescence. While reflecting on her coming-of-age experiences, Taeko bonds with her brother-in-law's cousin, a hard-working farmer, and attempts to learn who she truly is. Originally released in Japan in 1991, Only Yesterday finally received an official U.S. release from GKids in 2016; the English-language version boasts newly recorded voice-over work from Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, Ashley Eckstein, and Alison Fernandez.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/19/2022
UPC:	0826663223118
Original Release:	1991
Rating:	PG
Source:	Shout Factory
Language:	English
Time:	1:58:00
Sales rank:	9

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Daisy Ridley	Taeko,Taeko (English Version)
Dev Patel	Toshio,Toshio (English Version)
Alison Fernandez	Young Taeko
Hope Levy	Tsuneko
Stephanie Sheh	Aiko
Ava Acres	Toko
Madeleine Rose Yen	Rie
Jaden Betts	Suzuki (Soo)
Grey Griffin	Taeko's Mother
Matthew Yang King	Taeko's Father
Laura Bailey	Nanako
Ashley Eckstein	Yaeko
Mona Marshall	Grandmother
Miki Imai	Taeko
Toshiro Yanagiba	Toshio
Youko Honna	Young Taeko
Gianella Thielmann	Hirota (English Version)
Masaru Hoshi	Composer
Katsu Hoshi	Composer

Technical Credits

Isao Takahata

Isao Takahata	Screenwriter,Director
Toshio Suzuki	Producer
Yasuyoshi Tokuma	Producer,Executive Producer
Hayao Miyazaki	Executive Producer,Producer
Yoshio Sasaki	Executive Producer
Ritsuo Isobe	Executive Producer
Geoffrey Wexler	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Americans tend to think of animated films as being "kid's stuff," and so may very well be floored if they happen upon Only Yesterday. Even more "adult" cartoons like Fritz the Cat are still essentially juvenile; the situations may be more adult, but the basic language is typical. Yesterday comes from a whole different perspective; it's a slice of life drama, although a gentle, meditative one that doesn't depend upon the sometimes unnaturally imposed dramatic situations that often come with that genre. This is literally a slice of life: a visit to a woman's world at a very particular point in time -- or more correctly, at two very particular points in time, with the earlier time deeply informing the present time. As such, Yesterday is much less concerned with an action-oriented plot and much more concerned with character. Nuance is everything here, and it is a very big everything: the slightest arch of an eyebrow takes on depth and meaning, although that the exact meaning may be left ambiguous. Yesterday] is quite literally a journey through a woman's soul, but it's nowhere near as either simple or as pretentious as that sounds. It's the kind of film that gives the viewer a fantastic glow while at the same time wounding his/her heart in the process. Director/animator Isao Takahata's achievement here is gloriously human and humane, much more affecting than many so-called "real life" pictures. Those interested in challenging animated films, or simply in superb films of any sort, must watch Yesterday.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler