While its narrative isn't a story that necessarily needed to be animated, Takahata's visual filmmaking more than justifies its production.
Only Yesterday is a quiet, slow-paced drama about a young woman reflecting on her childhood, and for those old enough to relate to the film's protagonist, the film is quite beautiful and insightful. While its narrative isn't a story that necessarily needed to be animated, Takahata's visual filmmaking more than justifies its production.