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Studio Ghibli has had a long and illustrious career and has come to be renowned for its magnificent stories and fantastic settings. It has to also be noted that Studio Ghibli has never been afraid of coming out with a unique idea, which might or might not be accepted.
This is why they have always been a pioneer in creating masterpieces that effortlessly blend magical realism with profound emotional themes. However, among many such tales, the workWhen Marnie Was There, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, stands out as a uniquely grounded story.
It focused on largely ignored themes such as loneliness, mental health, and self-discovery. The work may not have achieved the widespread acclaim of ‘Spirited Away‘ or ‘My Neighbor Totoro‘ or even an Oscar like ‘The Boy and the Heron.’
When Marnie Was Thereis a mirror to the human psyche
At its core,When Marnie Was Theretells the story of Anna, a deeply troubled and isolated child who was sent to the far-out countryside to recover from her illness. The film doesn’t shy away from depicting Anna’s mental health struggles like other movies during that time would, especially the animated ones.
Throughout the film, we see Anna’s journey and day-to-day struggles as she grapples with feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and a sense of alienation from all that is around her.In an interview with Den of Geek, Yonebayashi revealedthe team’s deliberate intention to portray these struggles authentically, stating-
From the beginning of the film, we had to show the illness of the mind, but at the moment in Japan, there are so many children who feel lonely and separate from others, cut off from others, even though they’re always connected by SMS. They still feel left out, or feel lonely. But when they see Marnie, maybe they could take a little step forward. If they could do that, then maybe it’ll have been a worthwhile work to do.– Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Director Yonebayashi’s insight into the workings of the human mind and the way it is expertly depicted underscoresthe effort that Studio Ghibli focusedon the movie.
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The steps taken to explore the human psyche and sheer emotional resonance in the movie make it one of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated gems.
Studio Ghibli put in their all to spread mental health awareness
The story also reflects a broader issue that is prevalent in modern society: emotional isolation is a gargantuan problem even in an age of digital connectivity, as evident by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anna’s bond with Marnie, the mysterious girl she meets during her stay in the countryside hospital, becomes a transformative step for her. While Marnie initiallyappears as a fantastical escape for Annefrom her lonely and mundane daily life.
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Their connection ultimately reveals deeper truths about Anna’s identity and past. This magical blend of emotional realism andsubtle fantasy is the trademark of Studio Ghibli, yet it focuses on mental health rather than on grand adventures.
You can streamWhen Marnie Was Thereon Netflix.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
