The Secret Ingredient That Makes Ponyo So Charming | Video Essay

“The problem is that Caribbean reality resembles the wildest imagination” - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The films of Studio Ghibli often refuse to be categorized as either fantasy or realism. Rather, films like Ponyo exist in the liminal space of Magical Realism, where everyday banalities are filled with wonder. For Ponyo, incorporating the Magical Realist tradition is a crucial ingredient to the film’s environmentalist message.
Twitter: / cinemasocratic
Patreon: / socraticcinema
A huge thank you goes out to our patrons for making this video possible: Our deepest gratitude goes out to Rachel DeLisio, John DeLisio, Samuel Copeland, Jeanette Clark, Michael & Heather Clark, Peter DeLisio, Mariah Helm, Roger Anderson, Chris Heatherly, Salvador Reyes, and SkullHammerSmash.
A big thank you to Max Tohline for script feedback, and moral support.
Max Tohline - / 10oclockdot
Visual Media: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Ponyo (2008), Onward (2020), Dune (2021), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001),
Paintings (in order): Ludwig Meidner, Apokalyptische Landschaft (1912), George Grosz, The Poet (1927), Otto Dix, Dr. Mayer-Hermann (1926), Otto Dix, To Beauty (1922)
Music: Blue Mood - Robert Muzinger, Accralate - The Dark Continent, In the Temple Garden - Aaron Kenny, Seaside Piazza - Aaron Kenny, 旅立ちの日に - Sonny Boy OST
Sources:
Seehan, Jason. Reading the Game: Kentucky Route Zero. (2021). NPR.
Bowers, Maggie Ann. Magic(al) Realism. (2004)
Chilton, Myles. Realist Magic and the Invented Tokyos of Murakami Haruki and Yoshimoto Banana. (2009)
Osume Books. Magical Realism in Japanese Literature. (2020)
Bellot, Gabrielle. The magic of Miyazaki’s literary imagination. (2016).
Mayer, Ida. Dreaming in isolation: Magical realism in modern Japanese literature. (2010)

[@nope5657]

Ponyo is often mildly criticized for being "childish." I can't tell you how much I hate the notion that just because something is about children being children it's somehow "childish."

[@Paratet]

I've loved it since I first saw it. The "childishness" is is because it's one of the few movies to truly capture the magic of early childhood in a very relatable way. It's one of my favorite Miyazaki films.

[@Sxlehin_2004]

I agree with you. It's supposed to be childish. The target audience are kids. There is no point in applying logic to the film. Cause kids don't make decisions using logic. Everything they do is impulsive.

[@marcelinepink]

Ponyo is super charming and so underrated. You don't need a great impactful story when you know how to tell a simple story right.

[@Garfield20088]

Whenever I tell people that this is my favorite ghibli movie people always ask why this and not something like spirited away or howls moving castle and this is exactly what I always tell them. The way this movie makes the magic so real and mundane makes the mundane feel magical and that’s how my favorite scene in any movie by this studio who puts such wonder into everything they touch is just the simple scene of Sosuke and Koichi talking to each other through Morse code. I’m so glad I’ve found this video now not only because it’s amazing but now I can send it whenever this comes up because it’s such a perfect explanation

[@littlemoth4956]

That’s what the other movies do too, though

[@NitrogenDev]

This video essay is a literal three-tier, delicious cake. Even if you remove the visual presentation or the top layer, I found the way you discussed these ideas fascinating. The reference to Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his "One Hundred Years of Solitude" was really useful in understanding the concept. And if you go even further and remove that layer, being left with only the topic of magical realism and Ponyo, I got to learn about a great film and a neat notion. I'd love to see more similar videos from you!

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you very much! You’re too kind haha. I’d love to make more similar work in the future!

[@Noursinette_]

@@SocraticCinema Please do

[@charlieheatherly2753]

I say it every time I watch a new video of yours and I'll say it again: this is your best work yet. Relax, try not to look at any object made of felt for at least two weeks, and be proud that your effort paid off.

[@SocraticCinema]

you’re too kind, charles

[@superfriendlyalpaca]

This analysis is incredible!! I love this reading of ponyo as part of the magical realism genre. Ponyo gets a lot of flack for not being as politically driven as Miyazaki’s past environmental movies but I do think animism as a concept is quite radical and political especially to the western context. Pom poko is another cute and whimsical looking film that approaches anthropocentrism and the human destruction of nature and is suuper underrated and overlooked for ;(

[@amt253]

Concise, informative, magical! I like this essay better than I like Ponyo. Well done.

[@SocraticCinema]

LOL, thank you! I appreciate it :)

[@montueswedthursfri]

I happened to just have watched Ponyo last night and came across your video, great job! Loved this

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you very much! Hope it added to your experience :)

[@kikikrazed]

this video taught me so much AND made me see ponyo in a new way!! well done

[@TylerPetty98]

The secret ingredient is obviously ham

[@SUAVEcritic]

Finally watched this, and loved how light you've kept the essay!

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you!

[@okok-go9kg]

Amazing exquisite video essay. Exactly what I would want in one. 😋

[@rodrigorivers2469]

Wow, I was the 1000th view! Incredible video dude, hopfully you get a lot more!

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you very much! I’m so glad you liked it :D

[@salvadorreyes2312]

Keep up the good work!

[@aidanburns241]

this rules

[@margicates553]

Well done! ❤️‍🔥

[@deikay5414]

ah so it's very similar to soft worldbuilding!!

[@mr.gabethomas9060]

Yummy video! She's a fish.

[@bearvillebear1468]

Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the evil in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love. Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die". BUT, mercy said "I dont want to give them what they deserve. I don't want them to be cut off from Me. I love them despite all they have done/will do against Me. I want to give My children another chance. I want them to come home and live in My love again". And love said "Jesus, God's Son, came down as a Man, our representative, suffering every temptation, pain and struggle we have ever faced, yet without sin. He took all our sins (past/present/ even future) to the cross and then crucified EVERY ONE on our behalf. Justice was paid on the cross so that we can be free from Hell's punishment, experience Gods mercy of forgiveness of sin and live in His love. If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (turn away from our sin and pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it. He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through Him (not ourselves as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction). So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to obey His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and ask Him to help us in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, or struggling or doubtful, simply be honest and tell Him that. He is not intimidated by ANY sin or struggle you are facing. ANY. He hears and will answer. If we pray for Him to come in, regardless of the condition, then He will. NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. If you have any questions let me know Xxxx

[@ravensrevenge7245]

This was the first Anime movie I watched. Despite being 4, at the time, I remember it so well; and yet, I've only seen it once. I guess that's what makes it a core memory. (It was the English dub. The movie had been out in America for 5 months. There wasn't a Sub)

[@probablyiris127]

great video bro

[@milero91]

Thank you for helping me understand why I love Ponyo (and certain other Ghibli films) so much ❤

[@afterwords_]

Yayyy I love learning more about a favorite genre. I had no idea there were so many sub-divisions! :) I'll still call it all "magical realism" though :P

[@SocraticCinema]

Right?? There’s a whole deeper world of magical realism that I had no idea existed! I’ll be researching this for a looooong time, haha

[@TranscendentaLobo27]

Wonderful work. Liked and subscribed! 👍

[@DustyStarrs]

Thank you so much! This helped me not only understand the stories I read and watch, but the ones I write too! Keep this up!

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you so much for watching! I’m really glad you enjoyed it!

[@_dez]

S tier video, this needs so so many more views !!

[@SocraticCinema]

Thank you so much!!

[@charlesdaugherty321]

Ponyo caused the Disaster... Not humanity...