From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

From Up on Poppy Hill is a gentle, nostalgic coming-of-age drama set in 1960s Yokohama about a group of high-school students racing to save their beloved seaside clubhouse from demolition as the city prepares for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The story follows Umi, a responsible and determined girl who helps run her family’s boarding house and raises signal flags each morning, and Shun, a charismatic classmate who works on the school newspaper. As they join forces with friends to preserve the “Latin Quarter,” small personal mysteries and family histories begin to surface, shaping their bonds and sense of identity. If you watch this film you’ll experience a quietly moving slice-of-life: delicate, hand-drawn animation and richly detailed period settings bring postwar Japan to life with warm, painterly colors and seaside light. The pace is unhurried, inviting you to absorb ordinary moments—classroom camaraderie, student activism, shared meals, and the rituals of daily life—while emotional undercurrents about memory, loss, and belonging slowly deepen. The soundtrack and the film’s focus on community activities (choir, newspaper work, and neighborhood efforts) add a lyrical, comforting atmosphere. Overall, expect a thoughtful, character-driven story rather than action or big revelations. The film rewards viewers who enjoy evocative visuals, quiet romance, and nuanced portrayals of youth navigating change—offering a wistful, emotionally honest look at growing up and honoring the past as a way to shape the future.

Actors: Sarah Bolger, Chris Noth, Anton Yelchin

Director: Gorô Miyazaki

Runtime: 91 min

Genres: Animation, Drama, Family

6.8 /10 71 /100 7.4 /10 7.1 /10