My Neighbours the Yamadas, Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli,

My Neighbours the Yamadas is a Japanese animation directed and written by Isao Takahata. It was released in 1999. It is based on the manga Nono-chan by Hisaichi Ishii. There is not so much in the way of a plot with this animation. It’s more about following the trials and tribulations of the Yamada family. It really gets into the dynamics of the family, looking into the relationships of all the members. All those detailed moments are captured. The farther getting up whilst the rest of the family are watching TV. A tactical error, he now has to get different foods for each member of the family. The time that the family go out to a department store and leave little Nonoko behind.

This was quite a departure for Studio Ghibli stylistically and in subject. The drawings are a lot more stylized, relying on the characters to keep the interest. It does this very well and Takahata has to be commended for his experimentalism. It is full of imagination in it’s aproach to animation. Takahat is not afraid to try different styles and methods.