When Marnie Was There (Japanese: 思い出のマーニー, Hepburn: Omoide no Mānī, "Marnie of [My] Memories") is a 2014 Japanese anime drama film written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, produced by Studio Ghibli for Nippon Television Network, Dentsu, Hakuhodo DYMP, Walt Disney Japan, Mitsubishi, Toho and KDDI and distributed by Toho. It is based on Joan G. Robinson's 1967 novel of the same name.[2][3]
The film follows Anna Sasaki staying with her relatives in a town in Kushiro wetlands, Hokkaido. Anna comes across a nearby abandoned mansion, where she meets Marnie, a mysterious girl who asks her to promise to keep their secrets from everyone. As the summer progresses, Anna spends more time with Marnie, and eventually Anna learns the truth about her family and foster care.
It was the final film for Studio Ghibli, before it announced a short break after The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and the retirement of Hayao Miyazaki a year before the film was released.[4] The film featured the final work for Studio Ghibli animator Makiko Futaki, who died in May 2016.[5] It was also the final film that Yonebayashi directed for Ghibli before he left and joined Studio Ponoc. The film received positive reviews from critics, praising its animation, music, vocal performances, and emotional story. It was released in theatres on 19 July 2014,[6] and on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on 18 March 2015.[7] It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Awards.
