When Dad has no umbrella to walk home with and heads to the combini to buy one only to see he family walking to meet him with an umbrella…Niagara Falls
This movie definitely strays from what we have come to expect from STUDIO GHIBLI but besides really liking the animation style there were several extremely funny scenes commenting on Japanese culture.
After having lived in Japan and had the pleasure and honor to be part of a Japanese family myself so much of this hit and rang sooooo true!
Not everyone has all the answers or understanding. Just lead with empathy and compassion for people and I really don't think it will lead you astray.
Having lived in Japan for nearly 3 years I expected this film to be a rumination on the Japanese work ethic and the wonderful quality most Japanese seem to possess in that all work is honorable and has value.
The first nearly 30-40 minutes are less a movie than a near first person account of Hirayama over several successive and rather mundane days plying his trade as a public toilet cleaner in upscale Tokyo neighborhoods.
Minus some choice music…
