Childhood Trauma (and how it's depicted in "Only Yesterday")

[@chocobere]

I cannot thank you enough for making this video essay and pointing out the uncomfortable events the movie carries. I watched the movie, expecting something charming and whimsical, but instead I was horrified at the emotional abuse and neglect in Taeko's childhood, to say nothing of the physical violence. Also, in the way they're animated, the smiles make the characters look ugly and deformed, which is usually not the case in Ghibli movies, so I loved how you talked about the fakeness of the smiling, it makes a lot of sense. I'm personally tired of the "He's mean to you because he likes you" thing that we were told growing up as little girls. What a twisted thing to say. No, he doesn't like you, and clearly he doesn't respect you either. It baffled me that Toshio in the car defaulted to that explanation, after Taeko told him the story. For me, probably the little boy sensed that she was also an abused child, and that, being a girl, her status was even lower than his, so he could at least have some power over her by bullying her and get away with it, because no one would protect her anyway. I find the movie very well made, but also very hard to watch and very sad in its unresolvedness. There's no healing (yet) for Taeko, no true realization that what happened to her wasn't right, no deep and meaningful reconnect to her younger self. Maybe in the future, hopefully when she's older and wiser, after all if poro poro means drop by drop... it might take some time. Cheers for the video!

[@MadailinBurnhope]

"no true realisation that what happened to her wasn't right" personally, I'm not sure about that; if what the viewer is made to feel by the film-maker is her POV, then I think her suffering as a child was very clear, and the way she talks with her friend about being hit after it happens is nonchalant in a "teenage" way, maybe a little emotionally repressed, but not entirely unaware of the severity of it; I think the ending of the movie is, like you say, a potential *beginning* of her healing (we hope at least she's found the right environment to begin healing with flawed but supportive people), and the complicated realisation that yes, she was hurt, and no, we don't get an all-too-easy forgiveness scene, but neither do we get the easy, angry cutting-off of the family that Western audiences might want or expect; love is more complicated than that; the movie doesn't *endorse* the realism of that, but simply illustrates it as what it is for most people in most situations; the movie gives you the good and the bad of her memories and doesn't manipulate you by telling you which is which a true slice of life

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

I enjoyed hearing your perspective, but I don't agree at all that Taeko's decision to stay was "hiding in someone else's shadow again". All we've seen from Toshio is that he listens carefully and attentively to her, is very secure in himself, and wants what's best for her, regardless of his feelings! We can tell he likes her, but he never puts any pressure on her to do what he wants -- even be with him. Taeko, on the other hand, _loves_ his vision and his mission, and is so captivated and excited by it, she wants to join him and his family in it! She admires his mission so much, _her desire_ IS to join him in it. That's not hiding in his shadow. As far as her running away from the family when they suggest it: I don't think that's because deep down she doesn't really want to stay and be with Toshio. I think it's that she has learned to hide from things she doesn't quite understand, and not talk about them. Like the memory about periods. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want it. She just feels like maybe SHE'S too fake for Toshio's beautiful mission, which she so clearly wants to participate in. That's what I think anyway. In the end, the children cheer because she chooses what _she_ really wants. And that includes joining Toshio in his dream, because she loves it so much, and is growing to love him too, for his kindness and attentiveness and security! I agree that the film ends in the middle of her journey to really understand her childhood, not at its conclusion, and I also liked that. Takahata created a true slice-of-life story, without a satisfying but fake "happy ending" -- the end of this film is only the beginning of the story! The way it ends in the middle of the story so perfectly reminds me of The Breakfast Club.

[@MadailinBurnhope]

I like your take, except for the fact that Toshio did the whole "maybe he was mean to you because he liked you" thing -- which is a red flag to me, and didn't endear me to Toshio I do think this is a wonderful movie, though

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

@@MadailinBurnhope - I get that, but at the same time, I think it’s important to note that he’s describing how little boys often are, not saying that it was OK or good. Little boys do often tease girls they like, not because they think being mean is showing affection, but because they want to look tough and cool and masculine. They mistake being tough with being mean. Or sometimes, they weren’t even actually mean, the girl just didn’t like that he was acting boyish and called it “mean”. But ultimately, the point is that Toshio never says that it’s a good behavior. Just that it is in fact something little boys often do.

[@MadailinBurnhope]

​@milo_thatch_incarnate I still think it asks the question "will she really be safe with him in future?" because it's a social value that we're taught that means we're primed to look for love in abuse but I agree with you in the main, which is to say, this film is all about telling us how things are, without comment; "it just is"

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

@@MadailinBurnhope - That's fair. I suppose that, just as in real life, we as outsiders couldn't accurately determine whether they're healthy and safe for each other without a _lot_ more information and observation. :)

[@Carmilaair]

@@MadailinBurnhope it’s something that little boys do because they are taught that. It’s not a red flag to point out how boys act in a misogynistic world. He is aware of that and said it how it is. It’s not a red flag more like explaining why a person was mean to her but at the same time not excusing him because all he ever did was explain the little boy acted all tough in front of her but when he wasn’t around her he was just a little boy pretending to be someone else.

[@zatrat5696]

Glad I watched this because I also judged her younger self to harshly and completely missed the point of the movie

[@aicellebasco7360]

this is honestly so underrated

[@Bahara.ha11]

I think your analysis and voice is better than video essays who try to forcefully make a story positive without being critical in the first place. I’m so happy I found your channel. Keep going!

[@wizard-lizard]

This is one of my favorite Ghibli films, so it's nice to hear someone who's watched it more than once give it a thorough examination! I agree with almost all your interpretations for the whole of the movie, though I think when I watched it the second or third time I felt that the ending was happy because Toshio had helped listen and empathize to Taeko's processing of herself in a genuine, thoughtful, and kind way that her family didn't. It seems she genuinely came to love farming on her own without him, and although it doesn't align with some of her childhood interests I never got the impression she would be living Toshio's shadow if she remained out in the country. I feel like his speech in the car and then asking about her life shows that he's a good example for figuring yourself out that she might be able to learn from herself! But maybe that is a hopeful reading, considering how heart-wrenching some of the childhood scenes are.

[@Digidragon55]

I didn’t believe Taeko had an overall terrible family! When she narrated her childhood to the audience.

[@Bahara.ha11]

I think the thoughts you explain about the neglect is so accurate, I was able to feel the injustice myself and now i can hear that in words being expressed so beautifully. Thank you ❤

[@pastel-sunrise]

This was such a beautiful and thoughtful essay. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@cansueceklc7745]

to me this movie’s ending feels just like the graduate’s ending i know it sounds far fetched since they kinda couldn’t be more far off from each other however they both have the perfect uncanny false happy ending attitude that devolves in we haven’t addressed any of the real issues but found ourselves a thrill to distract but what now and ten audience is left hoping the best for them while knowing better an amazing video essay btw i feel like you were the only one i’ve seen online that captured my conflicted thoughts on only yesterday

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

On the contrary! I think Taeko finding happiness with people and connection and love in the end was the best and most realistic ending there could be! That relationship can thrive because it's built on friendship, contending with one another, and listening attentively. She's genuinely more happy in the country than in the city, it's _not_ like she's acting on a flight of fancy that she'll later regret. She's loved the country more _ever since she was little._ The ending was her taking the leap of faith and choosing what she knows deep down is best for her and will make her the happiest. How is that an unrealistic ending?

[@daniela8360]

U pointed so much that went over my head that k u this was beautiful

[@pdzombie1906]

Great video, thanx!!!