Anime
TL;DR
My Neighbors the Yamadas Movie (1999)
ホーホケキョとなりの山田くん (Hōhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun)
Synopsis
The film is a series of vignettes following the daily lives of the Yamada family: Takashi and Matsuko (the father and mother), Shige (Matsuko’s mother), Noboru (aged approximately 13, the son), Nonoko (aged approximately 5, the daughter), and Pochi (the family dog). Each of the vignettes is preceded by a title such as “Father as Role Model”, “A Family Torn Apart” or “Patriarchal Supremacy Restored”. These vignettes cover such issues as losing a child in a department store, the relationships between father and son, or husband and wife, the wisdom of age, getting one’s first girlfriend and many more. Each is presented with humor, presenting a very believable picture of family life which crosses cultural boundaries. The relationships between Matsuko, Takashi and Shige are particularly well-observed, with Shige giving advice and proverbs to all the family members, and having a great strength of character which far outweighs Matsuko’s. Takashi and Matsuko’s relationship is often the focus of the episodes, their rivalries, such as arguing about who has control of the television, their frustrations, and their difficulties, but the overriding theme is their love for one another despite their flaws, and their desire to be the best parents possible for their children.
Directed by
Written by
Screenplay by
Music by
Pros
Character design
Dialogs
Relatable jokes
World building
Cons
Slow-pace
Visual
PROs CONS
Overview
Unlike the other films of Studio Ghibli, the film is presented in a stylized comic strip aesthetic, a departure from the traditional anime style of the studio’s other works.
Alternative titles
– Hoohokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun
– My Neighbors the Yamadas
– ホーホケキョとなりの山田くん
– A Família Yamada
– Familie Yamada – Meine verrückten Nachbarn
– Mes voisins les Yamada
– Minu naabrid Yamadad
– Mis Vecinos los Yamada
– Rodzinka Yamadów
– Yamada Ailesi
– Наши соседи Ямада
– משפחת יאמאדה
– ยามาดะ ครอบครัวนี้ไม่ธรรมดา
– A Yamada család
– Meus Vizinhos os Yamada
– Naapurini Yamadat
– Η Γειτονιά της Πόλης: Η Τρελή Οικογένεια Γιαμάντα
– Komşum Yamada`lar
– Mano Kaimynai Yamados
– Meine Nachbarn
– die Yamadas
– Tonari no Yamada-kun
– Наши соседи – семья Ямада
– My Neighbors the Yamadas
– ホーホケキョとなりの山田くん
– A Família Yamada
– Familie Yamada – Meine verrückten Nachbarn
– Mes voisins les Yamada
– Minu naabrid Yamadad
– Mis Vecinos los Yamada
– Rodzinka Yamadów
– Yamada Ailesi
– Наши соседи Ямада
– משפחת יאמאדה
– ยามาดะ ครอบครัวนี้ไม่ธรรมดา
– A Yamada család
– Meus Vizinhos os Yamada
– Naapurini Yamadat
– Η Γειτονιά της Πόλης: Η Τρελή Οικογένεια Γιαμάντα
– Komşum Yamada`lar
– Mano Kaimynai Yamados
– Meine Nachbarn
– die Yamadas
– Tonari no Yamada-kun
– Наши соседи – семья Ямада
TL;DR Review
My Neighbors the Yamadas (Japanese: ホーホケキョとなりの山田くん Hepburn: Hōhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun) is a 1999 Japanese animated comedy film written and directed by Isao Takahata, animated by Studio Ghibli.
The art technique is quite distinct for this movie. It is minimalist with a touch of muted watercolor characteristic. It may be jarring at the beginning, but you’ll get used to it. Initially, the animation reminded me of a bit of Crayon Shin-chan, and so does some of the jokes.
The art and slow-pace comedy may not be everyone cup of tea. It is a delightful anime if you are in the right mindset. I advise watching this film when you want a relaxing and mellow time. The movie feels more like a compilation of short TV episodes stitched together.
The movie does have an overarching theme, which is of family relationship. It tells a series of short accounts of the Yamadas’ hilarious and quite relatable daily struggles.
Though I appreciate the film, it isn’t quite on par with most of Studio Ghibli’s works. It is a pleasant movie to watch once as I don’t see myself revisiting this movie in the future.
I recommend this movie to those liking realistic slice-of-life comedy. My Neighbors the Yamadas is intended for everyone.
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Music
Closing Theme
– “Hitoribocchi wa Yameta (Quit Being Alone)” by Yano Akiko
Insert/Image Theme
– “Albinoni Adagio”
– “Chopin Nocturne Dai 1 Ban Hen Ro Tanchou Sakuhin 9 no 1”
– “Damatte Ore ni Tsuite Koi” by 山田家の人々
– “Denwasen” by Yano Akiko
– “Gekkou Kamen wa Dare Deshou” by 子鳩くるみ会, 近藤よし子
– “Inu no Omawari-san” by 生田弘子
– “J.S. Bach Prelude Dai 8 Ban Hen Ho Tanchou BWV853”
– “L Mozart Omocha no Koukyoukyoku Dai Ni Gakushou Minuet
– “Mahler Koukyoukyoku Dai 1 Ban (Kyojin) Dai 4 Gakushou”
– “Mahler Koukyoukyoku Dai 5 Ban Dai 1 Gakushou (Sousoukoushinkyoku)”
– “Mendelssohn Kekkonkoushinkyoku”
– “Sakura Sakura” by ジブリ女声合唱団
– “Sasameyuki” by Itsuki Hiroshi
– “Tekitou ni nee Que Sera Sera” by Yano Akiko, 山田家の人々
– Wakamono-tachi” by ジブリ男声合唱団
– “Yueya Wugeng” by Jia PengFang
– “Chopin Nocturne Dai 1 Ban Hen Ro Tanchou Sakuhin 9 no 1”
– “Damatte Ore ni Tsuite Koi” by 山田家の人々
– “Denwasen” by Yano Akiko
– “Gekkou Kamen wa Dare Deshou” by 子鳩くるみ会, 近藤よし子
– “Inu no Omawari-san” by 生田弘子
– “J.S. Bach Prelude Dai 8 Ban Hen Ho Tanchou BWV853”
– “L Mozart Omocha no Koukyoukyoku Dai Ni Gakushou Minuet
– “Mahler Koukyoukyoku Dai 1 Ban (Kyojin) Dai 4 Gakushou”
– “Mahler Koukyoukyoku Dai 5 Ban Dai 1 Gakushou (Sousoukoushinkyoku)”
– “Mendelssohn Kekkonkoushinkyoku”
– “Sakura Sakura” by ジブリ女声合唱団
– “Sasameyuki” by Itsuki Hiroshi
– “Tekitou ni nee Que Sera Sera” by Yano Akiko, 山田家の人々
– Wakamono-tachi” by ジブリ男声合唱団
– “Yueya Wugeng” by Jia PengFang
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Credits
Photo
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Photo by Nicolas LB, Jon Flobrant, and Yvette de Wit on Unsplash.
