Review of Whisper of the Heart

This review does NOT contain spoilers. For the grounded premise that Whisper of the Heart (1995) offers, it comes out to be one hell of a masterpiece in its execution. The world feels a lot lived in with the solid artwork of real-world location references that Studio Ghibli is known for, and every character's role is played likeably, distinctively and honestly. The plot develops slowly but consistently through the runtime of around 110 minutes but with every passing moment, it is not just a small group of protagonists but the entire set of characters were constantly evolving with their own stories. The best part of itall is we see the protagonist mature from being childish/absent-minded to aspirational/considerate.

Admittedly, I do have a soft corner for slice-of-life and romance anime, but I'm sure that I am not speaking for that part but rather for the person who was able to connect with the characters and their inner conflicts. It can be difficult and vulnerable when people start with something new, and they might think that they'd never be good enough. The story acts as an inspiration by portraying two honest characters who kept motivating and inspiring each other through their ordeals while growing close to each other. Oh, and not to mention the Country Roads choir scene and the use of this song throughout the movie - it made me tear up every single time, and I am not even an American.