Only Yesterday is a beautiful, bitter-sweet animation which touches upon such...topics as the “grip” of persistent childhood memories...the benefit of re-discovering oneself in a different setting...and the imperative of letting go.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 12, 2024

Only Yesterday is absolutely beautiful and further showcases the prowess of Studio Ghibli.

| Original Score: A- | Aug 2, 2024

An enchanting film that surreally embraces the child within.

| Aug 1, 2023

Takahata takes his time wandering through the experiences of the grown Taeko and the memories of her younger self.... But it’s no time travel fantasy. Rather, these images remind us of how the past is a part of our present.

| Jan 7, 2023

Takahata takes full advantage of the medium, allowing past and present to overlap in magnificent and poignant ways.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 13, 2021

Only Yesterday stands out as a mature, sophisticated gem among Studio Ghibli's catalog, a poignant, thoughtful film about growing up, getting old, and the heavy burden of memory. It's a film unlike any other animated project before or since.

| Jul 23, 2021

Today, and hopefully for a long time to come, it will be seen for what it actually is, a masterpiece crafted by a master of the form.

| Feb 21, 2020

I have little in common with Takeo, yet I related to her experiences as if they were my own. This represents the genius of Takahata.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 20, 2019

The childhood segments are very cute and charming but the adult sections drag a bit and are a little preachy.

| Original Score: B | Apr 15, 2019

As he did with Grave of the Fireflies, Takahata infuses the smallest of moments with a sense of sublime longing. The true joys of life are never far from one's grasp, but one must be present to truly appreciate them.

| Nov 3, 2018

Only Yesterday is easily among Studio Ghibli's very best work.

| Apr 6, 2017

This rare gem is ripe for rediscovery.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 2, 2017

With Studio Ghibli in an indefinite haitus, we must cherish their beloved films, and this is one of the very best.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 22, 2016

Only Yesterday is one of Studio Ghibli's films aimed primarily at female viewers ... an intentional story that is emotionally honest.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 2, 2016

There is real artistry here: it is a must.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 2, 2016

A(nother) animated marvel from one of cinema's unsung maestros.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 1, 2016

Calm, reflective, gorgeously uneventful.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 31, 2016

To say this film is anything less than outstanding would be arrogant from my part. [Full review in Spanish]

| May 12, 2016

Much of the emotional content is universal, especially the feelings of disappointment and shame that animation can portray with special force.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 4, 2016

A warm and playful reminder that while we all must leave childhood, we should do our utmost to ensure our childhood never leaves us.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 4, 2016