Umi finds herself helping the newspaper club to spread information about this cause where she befriends Shun Kazama, whom she gradually begins to fall in love with. As a result, a large part of the student body has banded together, working tirelessly to prevent this from happening. In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games, a beloved old clubhouse is set to be demolished to make way for a modern building. When she isn't at home, she is a student at the local high school-one that is currently dealing with a small crisis. Since the building is run by her family, Umi Matsuzaki carries out many of the duties involved in managing the small establishment, such as preparing meals for her fellow boarders.
#Kokuriko zaka kara download
MF to download take a listen - just close your eyes and embark on a trip through the yesteryears.Atop a hill overlooking a seaside port sits a boarding house named Coquelicot Manor. The melody is the epitome of nostalgia because of the way it dances the border between major and minor phrases. The end track 「さよならの夏」”Sayonara no Natsu” (“Summer of Goodbye”) by is my absolute favorite, and is performed by Teshima Aoi. You might recognize 「上を向いて歩こう」 “Ue no Mukou Arukou” (“I Shall Walk Looking Up” by Sakamoto Kyu this song was performed by Kenny Ball under the title “Sukiyaki” when it was released in America. There are a few insert songs to this film, probably because of the very noticeable lilt of the tunes popular during the 1960s. A couple of screencaps from my favorite scenes:Īnother wonderful aspect of the film is the soundtrack. I found myself focusing on the portrayal of the characters and their interactions with one another, and was blown away by the construct of subtle smiles, secretive glances, and quiet exchanges between Umi and Shun. While I most loved the renderings, textures, and brilliance of other Ghibli films, I was captivated by the seemingly simple and clean work in Kokuriko-zaka. The same argument stands for the art and animation. The high school love story needs no additional drama it is pure, but nuanced with a hint of embarassment and uncertainty that only comes from the innocence of youth. The plot is not complicated – some critics say it is too predictable – but I appreciate the simplicity. At school, she falls in love with a classmate, Kazama Shun, and while the two of them develop their feelings for another, they head the student-led effort to save a clubhouse called the “Quartier Latin.” Umi and Shun’s relationship is thrown into doubt as Shun discovers a secret about their families, and just at the same time, the clubhouse falls under threat of demolition. Set in the post-war year of 1963, the narrative revolves around an ordinary schoolgirl named Matsuzaki Umi. Kokuriko is a little different since it has absolutely no trace of mystique or magic instead, it is honest and a period piece. Kokuriko-zaka Kara (From the Poppy Hill) is a wonderful mix of everything I would want from an animated feature released by Studio Ghibli, with its more popular releases being Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. During the lazy days of summer, I like movies that are slow-paced and sweet, but not saccharine.