House on the Hill (Animation)

The Wind Rises (Kokuriko-zaka kara), a 2011 Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Gorō Miyazaki. The film is set in Yokohama, Japan, as the country prepares for the 1963 Tokyo Olympics. The story revolves around Umi and Shun, two high school students who join forces to save their school’s dilapidated student club building. As they work together, their bond deepens, and they confront an unexpected secret tied to their pasts. The film explores themes of youth solidarity and coming to terms with personal history.

In Yokohama in 1963, high school student Umi raises signal flags each morning to honor her father. A quiet and responsible young woman, Umi meets Shun, president of the school newspaper, who introduces her to the “Latin Quarter,” a historic student club building where various activities once took place but which now faces demolition. Together with other students, Umi and Shun launch a campaign to save the building. As they grow closer, a family secret emerges that complicates their relationship.

The film addresses the preservation of personal memory and heritage within Japan’s process of modernization. Central themes include family bonds, a sense of belonging, the value of historical legacy, and the dedication of youth. Love, identity exploration, and the power of collective action are also prominently featured.

• Umi Matsuzaki
• • Japanese voice: Masami Nagasawa
  • English voice: Sarah Bolger
  • A quiet, hardworking, and devoted high school student.
• Shun Kazama
• • Japanese voice: Jun'ichi Okada
  • English voice: Anton Yelchin
  • President of the school newspaper; confident and idealistic.
• Akio Kazama
• • Japanese voice: Nao Ōmori
  • English voice: Chris Noth
  • A pivotal character connected to Shun’s family.
• Hana Matsuzaki
• • Japanese voice: Keiko Takeshita
  • Umi’s grandmother; a traditional figure.
• Sora Matsuzaki
• • Japanese voice: Haruka Shiraishi
  • Umi’s younger sister.
• Riku Matsuzaki
• • Japanese voice: Tsubasa Kobayashi
  • Umi’s younger brother.
• Saori Makimura
• • English voice: Christina Hendricks
  • One of Umi’s classmates.
• Miki Hokuto
• • Japanese voice: Yuriko Ishida
  • An adult character who supports Umi.

^{Umi and Shun Animation Scene (}iMDb⁾

^{Animation Scene (}iMDb⁾

The film was produced by Studio Ghibli in Japan. Directed by Gorō Miyazaki, the screenplay was adapted by Keiko Niwa from a story by Hayao Miyazaki. Producers include Nippon Television Network and Dentsu. It was released in Japan on 16 July 2011. The original language is Japanese and the film runs for 1 hour and 31 minutes.

The Wind Rises (2011) became the highest-grossing animated film of the year in Japan, earning ¥4.46 billion (US$61.5 million), surpassing Pokémon productions. However, it earned only approximately US$1 million in the United States and Canada. Globally, it ranked among Studio Ghibli’s successful films.

The film won the Best Animated Film award at the 35th Japan Academy Prize. At the 2012 Tokyo Anime Award, it received the honors for Animation of the Year and Best Film Music. It received a total of 11 nominations at international festivals including Annecy, Toronto, Saturn, and Annie Awards. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 40th Saturn Awards and the 40th Annie Awards, and also received an Annie nomination for Best Writing.