For me, Ponyo is a comfort movie. It gets mixed reviews on its content and movie progression, ranging from appreciation to mild irritation at the storyline. I feel like a lot of people forget that as a children’s movie, Ponyo does not need the most believable plot (or a more subtle colour palette). The beauty and appeal of Ponyo is that it takes a deep dive into how a child’s mind perceives their life. The world is bright and mysterious, full of new discoveries every day. The quote written on the official movie poster is literally welcome to a world where anything is possible.
Ponyo – the movie’s namesake – is first introduced as a charming aquatic creature with a fierce desire to explore the world beyond her home. Her wishes are so strong that they grow, and grow, until they manifest into human limbs and a human head. Leaving behind her undersea life, siblings, and apprehensive father, she starts a journey of exploration… leading her right into the life of Sosuke.
Sosuke is a human child, with a picturisque life in an seaside village of Japan; he sees the world through eyes filled with wonder. He cares for every single person in his life, with Ponyo being no exception. When Sosuke’s mom is frustrated with his dad, he convinces her to signal a message to him together. When Sosuke is asked whether he will love Ponyo the same as a fish or a human, his honest answer is an immediate yes. Through every step of the way in his adventure with Ponyo, Sosuke represents the pure adoration that you feel for others as a child, towards your friends and family alike.
Together, Ponyo and Sosuke represent two aspects of childhood in the movie: larger-than-life, hopeful dreams and pure, perpetual love. This is a movie that transports viewers back into those experiences. It was entirely and wholly intended to be as bright, as dreamlike, as romantic, and as carefree as it was.
So, maybe we all need some more Ponyo in our lives. A little more of fierce desires unclouded by doubts, and a little more of unadulterated love for those around us. We should embody this part of our childhood throughout our existence, because its too short to not give it your all.
Let us tuck away, into a corner of our mind, a small voice that echoes to ourselves: welcome to a world where anything is possible.
Momo's Musings 