Only Yesterday

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Only Yesterday

Released Jan 1, 2016

1h 58m

Drama

Anime

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100%

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63 Reviews

82%

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250+ Ratings

A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life could have been.

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Critics Consensus

Only Yesterday's long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while offering further proof of the studio's incredibly consistent commitment to quality.

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Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

Only Yesterday is one of Studio Ghibli's films aimed primarily at female viewers ... an intentional story that is emotionally honest.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 2, 2016

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

There is real artistry here: it is a must.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 2, 2016

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

A(nother) animated marvel from one of cinema's unsung maestros.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 1, 2016

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

... gently, but profoundly, explores questions of memory, identity, and purpose.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 4, 2025

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Only Yesterday is a beautiful, bitter-sweet animation which touches upon such...topics as the “grip” of persistent childhood memories...the benefit of re-discovering oneself in a different setting...and the imperative of letting go.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 12, 2024

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Only Yesterday is absolutely beautiful and further showcases the prowess of Studio Ghibli.

Rated: A-

Aug 2, 2024

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Waniya S

It was a realistic display of childhood, parents and life but i still think it lacked a plot!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

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Ryan H

Taeko becomes reminiscent with old stories of her 5th grade year when she visits her grandma in an old countryside town. I enjoyed how the animation switches to a watercolor-style when she thinks back to her childhood.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

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Jim D

It's meaning is beyond what can be illustrated in words. I can't describe it like I can't describe how to ride a bike.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

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Stephen C

1 hour and 58 minutes of anime drama!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/14/25

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Lucas O

Rating: 49%. Let me start by saying that the animation was beautiful and the music and voice acting were top-tier. However, I was not a fan of the story. I did like the ending and the fact that it invokes a since of nostalgia, but I don't think I'm not the target audience for this one (I'm a Male). I kept waiting for something interesting to happen but it was just a boring slice of life movie that was not interesting to me. (I should say I'm not big on slice of life shows/movies). Some reactions of the main character were also a bit silly and unrealistic. Overall, not one I'd recommend.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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Treska T

it's incredibly boring, but it's got heart.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

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Isao Takahata

Director

Daisy Ridley

Taeko Okajima

Dev Patel

Toshio

Ashley Eckstein

Yaeko

Alison Fernandez

Taeko Okajima (5th Grade)

Isao Takahata

Screenwriter

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Synopsis

A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life could have been.

Director: Isao Takahata
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter: Isao Takahata
Distributor: GKIDS
Genre: Drama, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 2016, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2019
Runtime: 1h 58m

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