Giovanni's Island - Hope, in a Time of Hopelessness

Giovanni's Island - a picture set during the months and years following the end of World War II - is an unexpectedly hopeful movie. Though the lives of its youthful leads are often harrowing, they continue to find joy and friendship in the most unlikely of places.
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Special thanks to the incredible Ayumi Ueda who allowed me to use her stunning track 'Red Dragonflies' in this video. You can find the song here: • 赤とんぼ （童謡 • 唱歌）~ Red Dr...
#GiovannisIsland #NightOnTheGalacticRailroad #KenjiMiyazawa

[@xxMapSyrxx]

It is SO hard to find someone in the West who has seen this film because it breaks a lot of the Western conventions of understanding what World War II means then and now. Thank you for covering the film. Edit: I just want to be clear, personally, I think the film has lots of issues. But even then, it still deserves a lot more discussion.

[@tika5635]

I'm Russian and an old fan of Japanese animation, but, embarrassingly, even I've never heard of this film. It looks and feels absolutely amazing. Will gather my family and watch it asap. Sincerest thanks from me as well

[@poleaxed6447]

I'd been wanting to watch this for a while and I finally managed to get a copy a few week's back. It's now on my list of anime I'd happily recommend to others as a way of convincing them that the media has so much more to offer than it's usual tropes.

[@xxMapSyrxx]

@@tika5635 I would not recommend watching it with your family right the way. You can watch it yourself and then decide if it is a good fit for the rest of the family. The film does have a lot of issues. It still deserves to be talked about more.

[@senby2306]

@@xxMapSyrxx what are the issues with it?

[@lauralide4804]

@@senby2306 I want to know as well. I haven't watched it yet

[@kittiekat8920]

Night on the galactic railroad has always been one of my favorite anime.

[@kittiekat8920]

I really want to see giovannis island. I’ll look around for it

[@philiparny3178]

Mine as well. I want to see Giovanni's Island now to spot the quotes from the earlier movie!

[@shehryarkhan3646]

Oh, haven't seen it but will surely see it sometime

[@shehryarkhan3646]

Also, would love a video from Beyond Ghibli on 'Night on the Railroad'

[@p1xl8d]

Stop making me cry you horribly well-spoken monster ;_;

[@el_guajolote]

I was going to leave a comment of my own but yours just about sums up my feelings far better than I could.

[@Thenormal880]

Same

[@johnwhitehead7693]

Thank you for this lovely appreciation of a lovely, poignant movie (two, actually, counting the animated "Night on the Galactic Railroad"). I find the final scene of "Giovanni's Island" packs a tremendous emotional punch; it definitely earns the tears it elicits.

[@gordonp57]

Excellent as always I stumbled onto this film by accident, I have heard little mention of it, can't think why. I always make a point of watching and rewatching your videos as soon as I get notified.

[@falcongreens2570]

After watching all Ghibli movies in a year, I was lost and devastated that there is no more, Until I found your channel "Beyond Ghibli".

[@riveteye93]

I never knew this movie existed. Thank you for educating me, in this moment in time it is absolutely vital for me to have some hope that the wounds between bitter enemies can ever be healed. I wish peace comes soon, and lasts long. I will never choose hate and isolation, despite what my government wants of me, and what those who fight it want as well.

[@ryancooper6949]

Hey Joe, love your content. You’ve nudged me towards great films all this last year during my lockdown and returning to normal. I just wanted to say thank you for enriching my life with your work.

[@JJ_Jack_Gittes]

One of the greatest Anime Essays I've ever seen. Easily made me a subscriber 🌹

[@mr.nobodyx]

since I became a patreon I always have to remember to also come and upvote the videos

[@badreddinekasmi8919]

Oh i loved this movie as a teen. Glad to see someone talking about it.

[@jacqy6619]

cmon beyond ghibli writes the best scripts that always gives me goosebumps

[@galaxymew5138]

Oh God, I NEEDED a video like this to give me some hope... Thank you.

[@lauravarela2370]

All of your videos are so unbelievably charming. The way you speak about any content on your channel is done with such eloquence and passion. I was very excited to see this one!

[@nadialagrutta7395]

Thank you for your videos 🥰

[@Ditchdigger2005]

A recommendation from me would be Okko's Inn (the film). Is quite similar to A Letter to Momo, which you've already covered, but I enjoyed it more (at least going by my MAL scores, it's been a while since I've seen ALTM).

[@toffeeFairy]

I've never heard of that movie thank you

[@martinvalencia798]

This is the first I’ve heard of either. Thank you so much for opening my eyes.

[@billysbees]

You just moved me again So much brother Excellent video! !!! imagine how a starved from such motion pictures 48y old Hellenic boy can be and consider your work Precious

[@Morraak]

I had no idea this existed. Thanks for bringing this film to my attention!

[@matty1094]

thank you... i cried

[@toffeeFairy]

That was a really great watch, not perfect but it resonated with me a lot. Mostly because it tells the story of my grandmother as well, so it's seems like a story I've heard a lot just put into pictures with very different landscapes. But the art style perfectly captures the way grandparents tell you those stories, not without pain but with all sorrow and pain long since in the past.

[@bhudere]

This is probably the best video about Night on the Galactic Railroad out there. Thank you.

[@Soynereh]

Have that one bookmarked for ages. Time to finally give it a go.

[@amulyanakarmi941]

same

[@codernakul]

Just wanted to thank you for the Neon Genesis Evangelion cover

[@TheClockchan]

I love when you give exposure to these little gems! Would have never heard about it otherwise.

[@gamingwithnoobs3626]

Thank you 🍁

[@x3janna95]

Your essays are just so beautiful. Thank you

[@artgatherer3477]

Great video!

[@theguitarhombre]

Beautiful as always

[@balance7866]

I enjoy your movies so much dude. you fired me up on the wonders of Japanese movies.

[@iangaskins3843]

Love your videos man. Thanks.

[@abhirajbaruah4676]

I always come fast to watch a upload by you since they are so rare and amazing

[@SuperWowOMG123]

Another great essay, thanks again

[@BoughtByTheBlood]

I'm home sick from work today & just finished watching this fabulous movie. I absolutely love the art style. It reminds me of the picture books I read when I was little, especially The Polar Express, which is perfectly fitting. ❤ Thank you for the wonderful recommendation. You are my absolute favorite anituber & I look forward with bated breathe to see what new masterpiece you'll suggest next. 😆 The train on the Galactic Railroad makes me think of my own dear sister in Heaven. I can imagine her flying through the night sky on her way to Glory, praying that her idiot brother won't blow his chances to take the train ride himself some day. May Haruhi bless you, my friend. Now all I gotta do is find an English copy of Night on the Galactic Railroad so I can bawl my way through that, too. 😆

[@BeyondGhibli]

So glad you liked it - it's really special. Take care of yourself

[@HarryScTam]

Thanks again

[@Svid1701D]

I watch everything you recommend. Thank you for your hard work!

[@Orzelius]

Thank you so much for making these, I will watch the movie asap, but I can already tell I'm gonna love it so hard.

[@daftyofficial]

I haven't seen the movie since it came out, but this just reminded me why I loved it so much back then. Still one of my favourite movies.

[@BoughtByTheBlood]

This is my first time hearing about this movie, but hearing you talk about it, I can't stop thinking about the book & movie Empire of the Sun. Can't wait to check this out. You are an absolute genius in your recommendations & I haven't been disappointed yet. See you on the other side!

[@retlavius]

Just love this content-creator, awsome writing and superb voice!

[@ohdannyboy4727]

Movies and stuff like this gives me a little hope that humans may one day see with eyes unclouded by hate. Its hard to see that ever happening when its always bad news. This world is full of people and only a handful are human beings. Just gotta keep doing the best we can.

[@2B87]

Superb as always! And thank you for brining attention to the historical facts. It's the same with Germany: de facto still at war and occupied, still not given back it's pre 1871 constitution and therefore still robbed of it's sovereignty by being held under commercial law as a company instead of being awarded back it's rightful place as a subject of international law.

[@Newtie_100]

You deserve more praise 👊

[@niksmylonas3983]

Thank you for this, Joe! The movie seems wonderful, I will definately be giving it a chance soon!

[@mikemikel1629]

This channel is too good

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Essays like this really give interest to someone who never saw the movie...like me

[@AdaraFukuchi]

amazing work as usual, joe. kudos!

[@Ratcheto9108]

This Video hits deep

[@chunkystains8950]

Never heard of it, thanks for the recommendation.

[@jonathangriffith6949]

Thank you for your beautiful perspective. It's kind of heartbreaking how few options there are to watch this in the States. I really hope to watch this someday.

[@Lazer-bp9lf]

Ok. You convinced me to go and watch this movie.

[@brettcoster4781]

I just couldn't get into Giovanni's Island so it's one of the few DVDs I've given away. But Night on the Galactic Railway does look interesting, so I'll try to get it sometime.

[@minespatch]

Didn't expect to hear "those were the days" playing in the background. It was played at my grandmother's funeral.

[@Geckoblue545]

Fruits Basket! Such a calm and quiet yet special show.

[@beatOmaniac]

Its comfortable listening to your voice :D and I definitetly check that movie out

[@alysshart7522]

I bought this movie on Blu-Ray a while back!

[@codernakul]

Hope and despair are just faces two of a coin none of them is meaningful without the other.

[@jeffriart]

I remember watching this in Japanese Film Festival in my country a few years ago. I ended up impressed and wish I could watch it again, but there doesn't seem to be any digital release available. It's quite a gem.

[@NichiOrdinary]

I cry from this Movie :( i love it

[@farabi1217]

I seriously cried last 20 min of the movie

[@flemcat3905]

I would love to see your take on "Words bubble up like soda pop". I just watched it on Netflix and thought it was great. It's totally up your alley

[@BeyondGhibli]

I'll give it a go! Thanks for the recommendation :)

[@V.U.4six]

Beautiful but damn the feels 😭 I watched both and I think I appreciated the film more after watching the galactic railroad beforehand to familiarize myself with and and then therefore see the references/parallels

[@petrbouda1741]

One of the main themes in the Giovanni´s Island is indeed a Night on the Galactic Railroad. However, there is yet another beautiful anime movie that you might create a video that draws parallels to Miyazawa´s book: Bungaku Shoujo (Book Girl) from 2010. Which is an overlooked anime you should definitely watch, if you haven´t seen it yet. Besides, I like your channel here and appreciate how you´ve managed to cover some of my very favourite movies such as Maquia or Mirai, or favourite directors like Shinkai or Hosoda. However, there is yet another director that you´ve not covered yet as much - Mamoru Oshii and his work, that covers movies such as Sky Crawlers, Avalon and Ghost in the Shell (well, you covered this one).

[@RaulFO]

Here are some recommendations: Gekidol, a twisted sci-fi about a girl and her theater group that gets better and better with each episode. Godzilla SP, the smartest godzilla series ever written. Sonny Boy from the Evangelion of the 2020s. Odd Taxi, the best anime this year, by far.

[@Rotbart1066]

very good

[@stephaniesews6603]

Can you please stop making videos that make me tear up, even if I haven't watched the film yet? Or, maybe, don't, please don't stop, I think we need you and your videos here. Please don't stop.

[@chopincookies]

of course Leiji Matsumoto’s Galaxy express 999!! I have finished only the manga but it always remains with me.. that utmost longing of the Andromeda faraway in the galaxy, feeling of a train express that would going on to the universe further and further and when it visit each stars, a massive glimpse of that extreme nostalgia of melancholy of different kinds.. and a homeworld of my heart. as they would always remind you on every cover of the manga…. “Just remember! In your youth, you used to be so self-consciously. You must have ignored, or doubt everything but present. Though I have never left the dream of galaxy, it may-be her who make you aware.” #recommendation

[@RothurThePaladin]

enjoyable

[@jinchuriki7022]

Life hits hard, but we adapt.

[@dao_f]

nice, thank you for another great video... I would like to suggest a video on Von Trapp Monogatari or Daddy Long Legs, both are great series.

[@anaispeyron719]

A recommendation I can make is Brave Story. I never heard anyone talking about it but it's a film that I often rewatched for the universe and the friendship story 👌 Oh and also a cute little movie: Tsumiki No Ie, very nostalgic.

[@edgarfranciscootalora468]

Just to let you know, I made a podcast about anime based on your work and the way you respect and care about the medium. I love what you do, thanks for all.

[@Gio-ym4uj]

Hey! My name is Giovanni. Cool stuff.

[@pyr0b1rd]

Think I bought this film in an online sale - of all films - but was by far worth the purchase. And it tells a side of history that those of us in the west are likely so very ignorent of. Personally though, I think the fact that they painted the Russians in such a human light is what stuck with me the most - it's easy to demonise, but sometimes you have to remember that they ARE people too

[@martinlagrange8821]

Hello Joe, thank you for the introduction to two excellent films which are now mandatory watching, which is always appreciated (Ghost in the Shell SAC 2nd GiG features an episode in which the Kuriles have been returned in 2029, incidentally) - in terms of suggestions for content in future, I'd like to suggest a look at the very grownup Gundam Unicorn (its a deep one, that - plus Boom Boom Satellites masterwork 'Broken Mirror' on Ep 5 credits), and its recent sequel, Gundam Hathaway (if done to death and you couldn't be bothered, no worries)... Other thoughts include 'Planetes', 'Wolf's Rain' (Supposedly perfection, but is it ?), the Macross series (having at last being clawed out of Carl Macek's , and Harmony Gold's cold, dead hands). A retrospective look at Patlabor (in the manner of GiTS) appeals at all ? With kind regards.

[@obiwan8972]

The band also did op for kiznaiver anime

[@Catheur]

I guess watching this movie won't be too bad if an idea

[@jean-paulhenriquez3226]

Have you considered doing a video on Vivy: Fluorite Eyes Song. This show is an underrated gem and fasho a top tier anime this year!

[@zambimaru]

Recently a Man showed up in a coastal Town in Hokkaido who said he was Russian and that he swam from Kunashir Island and wanted to defect.

[@gio5134]

I watched it because I saw my name on the cover.

[@kephalai]

the pokemon prequel that nobody talks about, find out what team rocket's leader was up to before he founded the team

[@FalkaRiannon]

When I saw the thumbnail I first thought it was about Barefoot Gen. But that movie doesn't really have much hope.

[@dr.shinkai6604]

Joe, thank you for this amazing video essay. I recommend you to watch Mamoru Oshii's anime movie "Angel's Egg".

[@obiwan8972]

It's a brilliance beyond it's age, still can't believe it was released inn1979 and everyone's sleeping on that masterpiece

[@glansyhui]

Пройти столько и не найти Таню , как же так.... 😭идите за любовью до конца. Не сдавайтесь. В России говорят: любовь и красота спасут мир

[@markusmcgee]

Played...Philip Glass - Metamorphosis Two while listening to this.

[@jmh8817]

This kind of hopeful story looks like what the doctor ordered for these times.

[@DABUNGINATOR]

I really preferred this film over war movies like Grave of the Fireflies. That movie is still decent, but it focused a lot on the monotonous life of struggling Japanese people. It's a good thing to let people know about, but it doesn't really make for a super interesting movie. Giovanni's Island, however, focuses on more varied topics, I guess; it skips much of that monotony.

[@lornithorymque1322]

Have you tried watching the Monogatari Series, or more recently Sonny Boy ? Even if the second isn't ended yet, their phylosophical themas are realy intresting. Monogatari recently became one of my favorite animes, among Bebop or Evangelion, the ones helping me with their themas to go through life. (thanks to characters like Oshino or Kaiki, and their phylosophy, which I think is existensialism (mostly Kaiki's one, he is truly "Jean Paul Sartrist"))

[@Naiuhz]

"My name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everybody calls me Giorgio."

[@cinnamonpumpkin7655]

Do you think you'll cover "Night on the galatic Railroad" ??

[@Carpediem-bl4dq]

yep

[@Shuv-mc4nh]

Hv u watched Kakushigoto ?

[@propmadepostapo]

Ok, but... Question, are ther anime about occupation Japan on Chines? All animes i saw in this genre presents Japan as a victims and not villains.

[@theoriginalfat]

Record of Lodoss War Joe :)

[@BeyondGhibli]

Funnily enough, I'm actually playing through the new Record of Lodoss War game currently! Been a fan of that series for a long time :)

[@theoriginalfat]

@@BeyondGhibli my favorite fantasy anime of all time :D

[@Vash_Carrison]

I'd like to see Rahxephon covered.

[@SvenSinclairMusic]

[@onepiecebarca]

Why don't you make polls where people can decide on your next anime to make a video about

[@BeyondGhibli]

I do:) the last 27 videos have been decided in polls over on my Patreon

[@rajsaha7885]

Not first

[@AdamFaruqi]

Giovanni is pronounced Joe-VAH-knee. The i is silent

[@sharkgea5663]

First