Ukyou reviews "Ponyo by the cliff by the sea"

It has been ages since I have seen a Miyazaki feature, and just this month I had the pleasure of seeing his latest creation 「崖の上のポニョ」　"Ponyo by the cliff by the sea" and I have to say that I have enjoyed it immensely.

The story is simple and to an extent childish. This speaks to the main target of the movie which is the younger audience, but at the same time provides enough eye candy and story to mesmerize even the hardened of adult viewers. The premise is loosely based on the little mermaid and revolves around the relationship that a cute fish-girl Ponyo has with a normal boy called Sousuke. The whole story revolves around the overwhelming wish that Ponyo has to be along side Sousuke. Her almost gargantuan determination to be together with him almost turns the world upside down with the Magic powers she uses to do so.

After all the cute trials and tribulations of Ponyo and Sousuke the Story ends on the cutest yet the shortest of endings.

The word Cute or "Kawaii" is the quintessential word describing this movie. Almost EVERY second of this animated features screams "Kawaii". It is like "Kawaii" on steroids. I know many may feel that the whole cute thing is overrated in anime (myself included in this group), but there is no running away from being engulfed in Ponyo's cuteness.

Nobody in their right mind will deny that this is cute.

The character's design, movement, voice all are uber kawaii and not in the recent Moe Kawaii of late, but really and purely kawaii. Be sure to see the Japanese audio, English subtitled version to enjoy this to the fullest

The cutest scene is when Ponyo starts growing hands and legs at her father's lab. It is so darn cute. The whole "te deta~, Ashi deta~" scene is GREAT!

「手でた～！足でた～」

The movie can also be summarized by the word "Water" ! Water is everywhere in this movie. Yet strangely it feels very natural. Water in this movie behaves more like Jello than like actual liquid giving a mystical almost candy like appearance to the whole flow of things.

This movie also has some quirky unexplained points. Who is Ponyo exactly? why does Sousuke refer to his parents in their first name? What did Lisa and Ponyo's mother discuss? No matter how many plot holes come to mind, the cuteness overshadows every thing that may be even considered as a plot hole. Hack I don't care, it is just so darn cute!

So Ukyou has it, Ponyo is a great movie that should not be missed, a Joy to watch and is a great feel good movie. It is just that simple, GO SEE IT!

E! What is Takopuu kun Doing here ?