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Parents' Guide to

From Up on Poppy Hill

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Inspiring, romantic coming-of-age tale about '60s teens.

Movie PG 2013 91 minutes
From up on Poppy Hill Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 9 parent reviews

age 8+

Uplifting, engaging story with beautiful animation

This is a beautifully animated story about maintaining traditions while also embracing the future, and about the power of young people when they are dedicated to a cause. It takes place in post WWII Tokyo, where the adults are trying to move forward while the young people (early high school age) want to keep their old but beautiful clubhouse. They kids eventually persuade the adults. The colors are gorgeous and the characters interesting in their independence and sense of responsibility--the lead girl gets up early to cook for the boarders in her home while her mom works in the US. They are positive role models. There's a bit of romance. The setting gave us an opportunity to talk about WWII and Japan. My 8 and 10 year old girls loved it and want to see it again.
2 people found this helpful.
age 8+

Well, Goro, you might have some potential yet

Oh wait, Hayao actually helped him with this one. Even so, this is a very well-done film. It's intelligently-written, very believable and even tackles a very serious subject matter in a way that's not hamfisted and doesn't make the movie feel more for an older crowd. (Said subject being possible incest) Like most films from Ghibli, it does pace itself slowly, but in a way, that makes it kind of relaxing and refreshing. This is a very good film with good characters, good writing, great visuals and good music.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (18 ):

This is an anime film that tweens and teens who've aged out of most Disney animated fare will enjoy. Although FROM UP ON POPPY HILL doesn't feature any magical elements like most of Studio Ghibli/the Miyazaki family's anime classics, this period coming-of-age tale still follows a strong female protagonist and a sophisticated, educational plot that older kids and tweens will appreciate. Not only are there cultural lessons in the story (most young people probably have no idea how much preparation goes into renovating a city for the Olympics), but Umi is also an admirable, mature heroine who's smart and sweet and happy to discover a kindred spirit in Shun.

The slightly off-putting subplot -- in which it seems there's a possibility that Umi and Shun, so obviously smitten with each other, are actually half brother and sister -- is something that tweens might not fully catch, but teens will (even though all ends up just fine in the end). Studio Ghibli never disappoints, and director Goro Miyazaki is ably following in his legendary father's footsteps.

Movie Details

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