5 Most Recommended Anime Series and Movies like Whisper of the Heart
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What’s you favorite romance animation of all time? The world’s top anime studio Ghibli has created several authentic romance anime mixed with fantasy ever. Whisper of the Heart, released in 1995, is one of the most popular Studio Ghibli romance anime movies that is loved by Japanese fans in particular.
If you like and miss the coming-of-age anime film, it is recommended to watch these 5 best anime series and movies like Whisper of the Heart. This recommendation list consists of the classic Studio Ghibli movies to the recent anime series.
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About Whisper of the Heart
Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) is a romance and fantasy anime movie released by Studio Ghibli in 1995. Based on the manga written by Aoi Hiiragi in 1989, it is directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, who played an important role as the animation director of the other Ghibli work Grave of the Fireflies, instead of the studio’s leader Hayao Miyazaki.
Whisper of the Heart is set in Tokyo, focusing on two middle schoolers: Shizuku Tsukishima and Seiji Amasawa. One day, Shizuku discovers a mysterious antique shop named Chikyuya owned by Shiro Nishi, and she becomes better acquainted with Jiro’s grandson Seiji Amasawa. She tries to doing her utmost for completing a novel, and Seiji working toward to be a violin maker on the other hand. Their dremes and love story are depicted throughout the anime film.
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5 Most Recommended Anime Series and Movies like Whisper of the Heart
1. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便), which has been loved by both kids and adults since it was released in 1989, is one of the most recommended Studio Ghobli movies similar to Whisper of the Heart. It is adapted from the novel written by Eiko Kadono in 1985, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Kiki’s Delivery Service is set in a beautifully-drawn world inspired by Europe. It centers on a 13-year-old girl Kiki, who is an undeveloped witch. She leaves home for her independence with her pet cat Jiji and travel the world. She grows up working, loving and facing many problems.
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2. From Up on Poppy Hill
From Up on Poppy Hill (コクリコ坂から) is highly recommended to watch if you like Whisper of the Heart. The modern drama Studio Ghibli movie is directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki, based on the same-titled manga published from 1979 to 1980.
From Up on Poppy Hill is set in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1963, which is one year before the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It follows a 2nd-grade high school girl Umi Matsuzaki and a 3rd-grade high schooler Shun Kazama. Their complicated family affairs and a good-old Japanese atmosphere are depicted in the anime movie.
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3. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
For fans of Whisper of the Heart, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女) should be added to their bucket list. The fantasy romance anime film was released in 2006, directed by a famous Japanese anime director Mamoru Hosoda. It is based on the same-titled novel written by the best-selling sci-fi Japanese author Yasutaka Tsutsui in 1967 but tells the different story.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is set in a world 20 years after the story of the original novel. It focuses on a high school girl Makoto Konno and her classmates Chiaki Mamiya and Kosuke Tsuda. One day, she finds that she can go back in time to the past. In addition to the fantasy essence, it depicts the ordinary high school life including love, study and career choices.
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4. Your Name
If you have not watched Your Name (君の名は。), the masterpiece of Makoto Shinkai, you will like it as well as Whisper of the Heart. Your name is known as one of the most successful Japanese movies of all time, earning about 250 million dollars at the domestic office.
Your Name is set in Tokyo and a Japanese countryside Takayama in the present day. There are two main characters: Taki Tachibana living in the metropolitan Tokyo and Mitsuha Miyamizu living in the rural Takayama. One day, they notice that their bodies are switched with each other suddenly, and that is intermittently repeated. It depicts both real and fantasy worlds as Whisper of the Heart does.
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5. Your Lie In April
Your Lie in April (四月は君の嘘) is a popular modern romance anime series airing with 22 episodes in 2014-2015. The music-themed anime is adapted from the same-titled manga written by Naoshi Arakawa from 2011 to 2015. Its live action movie adaptation was also released in 2016.
The romance drama is set in Tokyo in modern times centering on a 14-year-old middle schooler Kosei Arima and a same-aged girl Kaori Miyazono. Kosei, who was the talented pianist, loses a sense of hearing piano after his mother dies. One day, the heroine violinist shows up in front of him, and his life is changing.
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I'm writing by my motto: helping travelers spend their limited time experiencing something priceless in Japan. My articles won't let you down! Living in Tokyo and traveling many popular and hidden sites all over Japan, I deliver well-selected and latest tourist information to you from the perspective of “100% Japanese local”. My specific interests are island hopping, eating countless bowls of ramen, watching anime and reading manga. Enjoy Japan Web Magazine for recommended food spots, hidden gems Japanese Otaku (geek) culture, and everything about Japan :)
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