Whisper of the Heart

  • Review Date: December 2, 2011
  • G
  • Genre: Romance
  • 2006
Review

Common Sense Media says

Sweet, romantic coming-of-age anime with strong role models.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sweet, romantic coming-of-age anime explores universal themes of first love, awkward crushes, and discovering the life passions that will appeal to older tweens as well as teens and adults. Expect some mild insults and a single instance of adult smoking.

  • Positive messages4
    Hard work, drive, and determination are required to make your ambitions and aspirations come true. Even when the characters discover and work towards pursuing their passions, they learn that they must also devote time and effort to getting a well-rounded education. 
  • Positive role models4
    Shizuku is an obsessive reader; this helps to lead to her budding interest in becoming a writer. When she discovers this passion for writing, she focuses all of her energy to write the best story she can write. Seiji is also an avid reader, and is equally passionate in his desire to be a carver of violins. Both learn the importance of balancing these demands with the responsibilities of daily life. 
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex1
    Innocent tween romance is a major part of the story.
  • Language1
    No profanity, but characters are called "stupid" and "jerks" in the midst of arguments. 
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Shizuku's father lights up a cigarette in the middle of a discussion with his wife and daughter; his wife immediately asks him to put it out, which he does after taking a lengthy puff. 
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

Shizuku Tsukishima is an avid reader, a daydreaming tween beginning to discover an interest in both writing and boys. She notices that a boy named Seiji Amasawa has checked out the exact same books from the library, before she has. She is determined to discover who this boy is, and her explorations take her to a curios shop, where she meets Seiji's grandfather, who inspires her to become a writer and tell her stories, as she learns and gets to know Seiji.  

Is it any good?

 

WHISPER OF THE HEART is another beautiful work of art from Studio Ghibli with a screenplay from legendary Hayao Miyazaki. The lush, detailed scenery is enchanting, as is the storyline, in spite of a slow pace and seemingly unfocused beginning. Coming-of-age themes -- hobbies becoming passions, the daily dramas of school life and family life, and the awkwardness of first love -- are given realistic presentations that transcend the Tokyo setting.

Be warned, though -- it is a romance, and not the action-packed film some kids might be more partial to. For kids who find the "mushy-mushy, kissy-kissy" stuff boring or worthy of outright mockery, Whisper of the Heart is not for them. But for older kids going through similar experiences to what Shizuku and Seiji are going through -- as well as anyone who can enjoy the beauty revealed through the settings, Whisper of the Heart is a sweet, universal film. 

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about life in Tokyo for Shizuku, the similarities and differences between where and how she lives and where and how your family live. How is her school life, home life, and social life the same? How is it different? 

  • How is this movie similar to and different from American films about growing up, school, dating?

  • Kids: How do you balance your passions with your responsibilities?

This review was written by Brian Costello
Educator and Parent
May 15, 2012
AGE
13
 
My favorite movie
It's a kind of guide, for teens, it shows the best and healthiest way of dating these days.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
February 20, 2012
AGE
9
 
Beautiful family film!
This is an absolutely beautiful movie! It is a little slow at times, but it's fascinating to watch the characters interacting with each other in everyday situations. My 10 year old son really enjoyed it, even though it is a more sentimental movie. The overall message of this movie that struck me the most was to follow your dreams, but still prepare for the future. Kids should be able to relate to Shizuku because she is quite unsure of herself, but still wants to strive to accomplish her goals. In addition to the review above, there is one more scene with dad smoking in the background, plus a comment "this place stinks like cigarettes". Also - the older sister briefly appears in her bra. Overall - the animation, voice acting, and story are all beautifully well done. What else should you expect from Ghibli?
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
February 20, 2012
AGE
10
 
UHHHHHH...
actually, in the original japanise version, seiji proposes to shizuku but when it came to the US of A they changed it. Awkward!
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Brian Costello
Topics:magic and fantasy, book characters, cats, dogs, and mice, friendship, great girl role models
Studio:Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Director:Yoshifumi Kondo
Cast:Cary Elwes, Courtney Thorne-Smith, James B. Sikking
Genre:Romance
Run time:111 minutes
DVD release date:March 7, 2006
MPAA rating:G
This review was written by Brian Costello
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Coming-of-age anime
For kids who love animation
Browse more movies
 

vote now

Will you see Whisper of the Heart?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it