Only Yesterday
I'm going on a trip with me.
In lyrical switches between the present and the past, Taeko contemplates the arc of her life, and wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self.
Directed by Isao Takahata · Animation · Drama · Romance · 119 min · 1991
Trailer
Director
Isao Takahata
Studio
Studio Ghibli / Tokuma Shoten
Release
1991-07-20
Runtime
119 min
Genres
Animation, Drama, Romance
Full Plot
Taeko Okajima, an office worker living in Tokyo, embarks on a trip to her sister's rural home for the safflower harvest. As she travels by train, memories of her childhood resurface, including her first crush and experiences with puberty. Upon arrival, Taeko reflects on these memories with her family, sharing stories that reveal her past struggles and relationships.
Cast & Characters
Taeko Okajima (voice)
Miki Imai
Taeko Okajima as a 5-Year-Old (voice)
Yoko Honna
Toshio (voice)
Toshiro Yanagiba
Nanako Okajima (voice)
Yorie Yamashita
Yaeko Okajima (voice)
Yuki Minowa
Taeko's Father (voice)
Masahiro Ito
Did You Know?
Did You Know that the film is based on a manga by Hotaru Okamoto and drawn by Yuko Tone?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that Hayao Miyazaki was initially hesitant to adapt the manga into a film, but eventually brought it to producer Isao Takahata.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that only scenes set in 1966 with the 10-year-old Taeko are directly from the original manga?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Did You Know that the film's animation director was Yoshifumi Kondo, and that Studio Ghibli placed advertisements in Animage to find more workers for the production?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
Only Yesterday holds 7.4/10 on TMDb (1278 votes). IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic scores will populate automatically via the site's daily refresh once available.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on TMDb's aggregated score (7.4/10 on TMDb (1278 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Only Yesterday good? What are critics saying?+
Only Yesterday holds 7.4/10 on TMDb (1278 votes). IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic scores will populate automatically via the site's daily refresh once available.
How long is Only Yesterday?+
Only Yesterday has a runtime of 119 min.
Who directed Only Yesterday?+
Only Yesterday was directed by Isao Takahata.
Where can I watch Only Yesterday?+
Only Yesterday is available to stream, rent, or buy on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to the movie "Only Yesterday" is largely positive and nostalgic, with some expressing surprise at its release outside of Japan due to potential cultural barriers. Reviewers praise the film's storytelling as "nostalgic" and recommend it, suggesting that many non-Japanese viewers enjoyed it despite not having grown up in 1960s Japan. Some also express excitement about Universal Pictures' involvement with the project.
From the trailer's comments
I didn’t expect this movie would be released outside of Japan because unless you had spent your childhood in Japan’s 60s, it could be difficult to understand. But now realized a lot of non-Japanese people enjoyed this movie. I am a bit younger than Taeko’s generation but recogniz…
@battennagasaki · 7 likesIsao Takahata is a gem. Remember him.
@bobpritham2660 · 3 likesLove this type of anime. Just straight up nostalgic storytelling.
@fragmented.sleepsstorytime5174 · 6 likes*NEVER REALIZED IN NORTH AMERICA.*
@veronica534 · 0 likesOoh Universal Pictures?! The same studio that made American Graffiti, Despicable Me AND The Grinch?! I LOVE UNIVERSAL, AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE THIS PICTURE.
@King_Colombia_Inc · 1 likes
