Whisper of the Heart: Studio Ghibli's Overlooked Gem

Highlights

Whisper of the Heart is a slower-paced and more grounded film compared to Studio Ghibli's other popular movies, but it is still an incredible movie that deserves recognition.

The film revolves around Shizuku, a high school student, as she embarks on a journey to chase her dreams and navigate the challenges of feeling lost. It encompasses universal themes and emotions that resonate with anyone willing to give it a chance.

Through its narrative, the movie showcases the hurdles and dilemmas faced by artists when sharing their creations, emphasizing the significance of creating art for personal fulfillment rather than seeking validation from others.

Whisper of the Heart is often overlooked among Studio Ghibli's films. When fans discuss the studio's top movies, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and Howl's Moving Castle are commonly mentioned. Whisper of the Heart, however, lacks the same excitement. It lacks constant action and its conflict is internal, without any magic involved.

Nevertheless, Whisper of the Heart is an extraordinary film that deserves to be recognized as one of Studio Ghibli's finest works. It takes a slower and more realistic approach. The journey it portrays is about pursuing dreams and experiencing a sense of being lost. It is a movie that anyone could relate to, if they give it the opportunity.

The Making of Whisper of the Heart

Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō, Whisper of the Heart is the filmmaker's sole contribution to the film industry. Prior to directing this gem, Kondō worked at A Production and later joined Studio Ghibli, where he showcased his immense talent. He played a key role in esteemed projects like Porco Rosso and took on the animation director role for Grave of the Fireflies, Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday, and Princess Mononoke. However, it was with Whisper of the Heart that Kondō stepped into the realm of solo directing.

With his impressive track record, Kondō had established himself as an exceptional animator and filmmaker. Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned co-founder of Studio Ghibli, esteemed him as a worthy successor. Miyazaki envisioned Kondō's continued growth within the studio, foreseeing him as one of their prominent figures and eventually taking the helm as the studio's primary director. Tragically, Kondō's life was cut short by a sudden aneurysm, just three years after the release of his directorial debut. Whisper of the Heart was meant to be the beginning of a promising and illustrious career for Kondō, but it now remains as his sole directorial contribution.

The Heart of the Story

Whisper of the Heart tells the story of Shizuku, a high school student with a deep love for reading and writing but a constant feeling of boredom and restlessness. In her quest for adventure and novelty, she roams the streets of Tokyo and stumbles upon an enchanting antique shop, where she quickly forms a bond with Nishi, the elderly proprietor. Alongside this, she experiences a series of coincidental encounters with a peculiar boy named Seiji. After their first meeting at the antique shop, Shizuku realizes that Seiji is the grandson of the shop owner and coincidentally shares her taste in library books.

As their friendship blossoms, Shizuku learns that Seiji harbors a dream of becoming a skilled violin maker. Impressed by his unwavering passion, she can't help but feel inadequate and uncertain about her own purpose in life. When Seiji departs for an apprenticeship abroad, Shizuku takes advantage of the two months without him to wholeheartedly dedicate herself to her writing, just as Seiji did with his craft. Determined to complete a novel within this timeframe, she chooses to center her story around the Baron, a feline figurine from the antique shop.

Shizuku throws herself into her work with unwavering determination. She dedicates all her energy to writing, sacrificing sleep and meals to keep going. Her commitment has a contagious and triumphant effect. Before she took up writing, Shizuku felt aimless, confessing to others that her life revolved around reading books and writing trivial songs. She believed she was drifting without purpose, squandering her time in search of meaning, and this sentiment only intensified when she compared herself to others. However, in her pursuit to complete a book within a tight timeframe, she discovers the true essence of dedication and what it means to have a singular life goal.

Nevertheless, "Whisper of the Heart" is not merely a tale of finding a purpose. Shizuku becomes completely absorbed in her work, exhausting herself to the point of neglecting everything else. She distances herself from her family, isolating herself in her room to work without interruption. The conflict escalates as Shizuku wishes to abandon her studies for exams, considering them only distractions from her writing project. As she struggles to piece together the novel, her stress intensifies, causing her to prioritize meeting the deadline over telling the story she truly desired to share.

Whisper of the Heart can be appreciated by anyone, but it will deeply resonate with those who have a passion for creating art. After tirelessly completing her novel within a two-month timeframe, Shizuku eagerly gives it to Nishi, whom she had promised would be the first to read her story. Anxiously, Shizuku waits for Nishi to finish reading and his feedback, though positive, doesn't meet her expectations. Overwhelmed by the pressure and emotions from the past two months, Shizuku bursts into tears, refusing to accept Nishi's evaluation and deeming her own work as terrible. This moment briefly suggests that the biggest challenge an artist faces is sharing their work. It is what they strive for and the purpose behind their creative endeavors, yet in the act of sharing, they risk losing everything. If an artist's work falls short, what was the point of all the time and effort invested? If an artist isn't satisfied with their own art, do they still qualify as an artist? And if not, then who are they?

Nishi consoles Shizuku, comparing the process of creating to unearthing gemstones. Discovering the gem is only the beginning, as the real work lies in polishing it to make it shine as brilliantly as possible. Shizuku has a realization - she had stopped writing for herself and instead began writing to match the perceived progress of others, rather than writing out of love for storytelling. This is where the true essence of Whisper of the Heart is unveiled. Artists do not create for others; they create for themselves, hoping that someday, someone else will also recognize the beauty in their work.

Shizuku resumes her exam preparations while striving to balance her life, making sure her passion for writing doesn't consume her entirely. Seiji returns to Japan and shares with Shizuku that his master believes he has potential for greatness in the future, even though he feels he's not there yet. He expresses deep admiration for Shizuku's completion of her novel and confesses his love for her, suggesting the possibility of marriage someday. In that moment, Shizuku realizes that their perspectives are opposite. Seiji sees himself as lagging behind, struggling to match her achievements, while Shizuku sees herself as unworthy of him. However, the truth is that they are two souls on the same journey, inspiring each other to pursue their dreams relentlessly.