ponyo written directed hayao miyazaki little tale speaks respect ocean respect humans young old respect cultural differences new tale little goldfish wishing girl rather retelling disneys little mermaid miyazaki animated hand whimsical magical film young youngat heart film begins slow undulating bluegreen palette sea anemones jellyfish scores little fanciful goldfish childlike faces need narrative motion creatures music jo hisaiahi tell beginning released last summer japan ponyo japanese academys award best animation film best score jezebelcom fanciful little goldfish brunhild leaves ocean home jellyfish upon reaching surface caught fishing net full fish garbage sludge propelled jar rolled shore fiveyearold sosuke voice frankie jonas retrieves it cuts hand breaking jar open free little goldfish brunhild tastes blood heals sosukes cut puts motion transformation human time throwing nature balance sosuke puts little goldfish green pail names ponyo noah cyrus meaning soft jelly like sosukes mother lisa tina fey lets take ponyo school right next door nursing home works lisas crazy driving picturesque winding road past dry dock bustling fishing town treelined road nursing home representative miyazakis wonderful sequence action illustrates perfectly parents hectic morning miyazaki created another strong independent female character lisa making loving sensible modern mother sosuke ponyo lisas telephone conversation notcominghomeagain husband kiochi matt damon ship captains must make another run typical wifes reaction later evening sosuke intercedes using signal lamp speak father ship passes cliff house sits on lisa refuses acknowledge kiochis apology jumps signals bugoff bugoff bugoff hilarious scene but sosuke takes signal lamp tells dad good luck love you lisa hugs tells good heart poignant scenebr br my personal favorites miyazakis elderly grannytype women wheelchairs nursing home yochi betty white noriko cloris leachman toki lily tomlin interchange sosukes little goldfish wonderful reminiscent bickering witch waste lauren bacall sophie jean simmons trudge long flight stairs howls moving castle ponyos magical seagod father fujimoto liam neeson resembling wizard howl arrives take ponyo back ocean home fujimoto uses one elixirs try put nature back balance magical little ponyo escapes upsetting elixir process causing tsunami running backs giant dolphins get sosuke redheaded little girl reminds audience stubborn adventurous little mei neighbor totoro ponyo adventurous curious mei fujimoto realizes ponyo done calls gran mamare kate blanchett goddess ocean help situation wise calming goddess arrives blue flowing garment never ends private talk lisa discussing future young children helps audience understand sosuke ponyos relationship lovers brother sister lifegoeson quiet simple ending typical miyazaki films leaving audience full hope