Omoide Poroporo

Taeko Okajima is a 27-year-old, independent woman who spent her entire life in Tokyo. Looking to unwind from the rush of the big city, she decides to visit her family in the country to help out during the harvest.

On the train there, Taeko vividly recalls her memories as a schoolgirl in the initial stages of puberty, as if she is on a trip with her childhood self. A young farmer named Toshio picks her up at the station, and they quickly develop a friendship. During her stay, Taeko forms strong bonds with family and friends, learning the contrasts between urban and rural life, as well as the struggles and joys of farming.

Nostalgic and bittersweet, Omoide Poroporo takes on Taeko's journey as an adult woman coming to terms with her childhood dreams compared to the person she is today.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Okajima, Taeko Main

Honna, Youko Japanese

Toshio Main

Yanagiba, Toshirou Japanese

Hirota, Shuuji Supporting

Masuda, Yuuki Japanese

Taeko's Father Supporting

Itou, Masahiro Japanese

Toko Supporting

Komine, Megumi Japanese

Abe Supporting

Sato, Hirozumi Japanese

Taeko's Grandmother Supporting

Kitagawa, Chie Japanese

Baccha Supporting

Itou, Shin Japanese

Kiyoko Supporting

Ishikawa, Sachiko Japanese

Suzuki Supporting

Ishikawa, Masashi Japanese

Suzuki, Toshio Producer

Takahata, Isao Director, Theme Song Lyrics, Screenplay

Murata, Kazuya Episode Director

Pettini, Emmanuel Script

Reviews

Feb 14, 2024

bergars

Recommended

Man, that's the kind of movie I needed from Ghibli.

There's this melancholy about the film, about growing older, with the most founding memories being from your youngest days. A woman reminisces about her life as a bratty kid that didn't know of her fortune, and misfortunes; of her dismissive parents, her educational, and emotional disconnect from people. It feels larger than life, while being just about one person with a common childhood. Life's problems aren't always because of past problems, but the lack of anything else after them. Nothing stood out, nothing has stood out afterward, but then, what's there in the future?

This is a ... movie that truly explores the harshness of being an adult in cahoots with moving forwards. A small rite of passage, a little holiday to remind her of what she was, and what she can be. A retrospective moment of that long while, nothing but thoughts, nothing but work, and conversations you don't particularly want. It changes people, and just as the main character says, “I'll leave my 10-year-old self home next time”.

Beautifully minimalistic, music only where it's needed, realistic characters, with their proper faults and virtues. Some of them are so nosy I wanted to punch them, but it just reminds you of the ones in your life. The slow face morphs that sat on screen for a moment, so we pondered over what they meant. Disappointment, sadness, weirdness, it's on the slower side, but fully entertaining.

I loved the animation, the story, even if it felt long. Certainly, could've cut some scenes. It was mature, and let me think for long stretches of time. Great movie, that respected the audience and those basking in the slow, methodical pacing.

8.3/10. It seems I was only watching the B-tier Ghibli films.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Dec 27, 2024

MidniteAndBeyond

Mixed Feelings

I was expecting the pineapple scene to be 10 times longer with how much I've heard it being memed on over the years.

I know a lot of people hate this one, but I thought it was ok. Definitely could've been shorter, but I actually really liked the whole layout of the film; looking back on childhood events, longing for simpler times and mourning the loss of what could have been, however small it may be in retrospect. Sometimes the smallest things take up the biggest space in our hearts, and I could definitely recall moments where I was feeling the exact same way that Takeo ... was, throughout the film. It's a very simple, quiet film and I can definitely see people being bored with it. I guess it's all just a matter of what you've personally been through with your life. For Ghibli standards, it's nothing extravagant. But it does have signature elements of brilliance that I haven't seen in other works, which I appreciated.

5.5/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Mar 12, 2025

MaiDeNaBysS

Not Recommended

This movie has a shallow plot about a SoL coming-of-age child's story which thrusts all the worst possible things together. It also presents shallow and cringey kiddy romance to pointlessly parallel the shallow excuse of romance that the mc falls into as an adult. Of course neither plot actually goes anywhere. The lack of plot makes it hard to find any of it interesting, and even the art/music is unremarkable.
In actuality, the movie is an excuse for preaching of city bad, farming good. Follow traditionalism, be good worker, get married, be a stay at home mother like everyone tells you to, etc.
This is among the ... worst Studio Ghibli movies in my opinion.

Edited to conform to community standards.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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