Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea facts for kids

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo) is a magical anime movie created by Studio Ghibli and directed by the famous Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the heartwarming story of a little goldfish who dreams of becoming a human girl. This film is full of wonder, friendship, and the power of love.

The story begins with Ponyo, a curious goldfish princess who lives deep in the ocean with her many sisters and her wizard father, Fujimoto. One day, she escapes from her home and washes ashore, where she is found by a kind five-year-old boy named Sōsuke. He names her Ponyo and promises to protect her.

Ponyo quickly falls in love with Sōsuke and wishes to become a human girl so she can stay with him forever. Her strong desire causes her to start transforming, which creates a big imbalance in the ocean. This leads to a powerful storm and the moon coming closer to Earth, causing the tides to rise and flood Sōsuke's town. To fix this, Ponyo must pass a special test of trust and love.

Main Characters

This movie features many memorable characters, each bringing something special to the story.

Ponyo

Ponyo is a goldfish princess who longs to be human. She is curious, energetic, and deeply devoted to Sōsuke. Her magical powers grow as she becomes more human-like.

Sōsuke

Sōsuke is a kind and responsible five-year-old boy. He lives with his mother, Risa, by the sea. He finds Ponyo and quickly forms a strong bond with her. He is brave and always tries to do the right thing.

Fujimoto

Fujimoto is Ponyo's father and a powerful wizard. He used to be human but now lives in the ocean, protecting its balance. He is very protective of his daughters and initially tries to keep Ponyo from becoming human.

Granmammare

Granmammare is Ponyo's mother and the Queen of the Sea. She is a wise and gentle goddess who understands the balance between the human world and the ocean. She helps Ponyo and Sōsuke on their journey.

Risa

Risa is Sōsuke's energetic and loving mother. She works at a nursing home and is very independent. She is supportive of Sōsuke and quickly accepts Ponyo into their home.

Voice Cast

Here are the talented actors who brought these characters to life in the original Japanese version and the English dub:

• Sōsuke - Hiroki Doi (Frankie Jonas in English)
• Kōichi (Sōsuke's father) - Kazushige Nagashima (Matt Damon in English)
• Risa/Lisa (Sōsuke's mother) - Tomoko Yamaguchi (Tina Fey)
• Ponyo - Yuria Nara (Noah Cyrus)
• Fujimoto (Ponyo's father) - George Tokoro (Liam Neeson)
• Granmammare (Ponyo's mother) - Yūki Amami (Cate Blanchett)
• Ponyo's sisters - Akiko Yano
• A woman - Rumi Hiiragi
• Toki - Kazuko Yoshiyuki (Lily Tomlin)
• Yoshie - Tomoko Naraoka (Cloris Leachman)

Themes in the Movie

Ponyo explores several important themes that make it a meaningful film for all ages.

Friendship and Love

At its heart, Ponyo is about the strong bond between Sōsuke and Ponyo. Their pure friendship and love are what drive the story and help overcome challenges. It shows how true affection can bring two different worlds together.

Nature and the Environment

The movie also highlights the importance of nature and the ocean. Fujimoto's role is to protect the sea, and Ponyo's transformation causes an imbalance. This reminds us to respect and care for our environment.

Childhood Wonder

The film captures the magic and imagination of childhood. Sōsuke and Ponyo experience the world with a sense of wonder, even when facing extraordinary events. It reminds viewers of the joy and simplicity of being a child.

Production and Inspiration

Hayao Miyazaki directed and wrote Ponyo. He wanted to create a film that felt like a child's drawing, full of simple lines and bright colors. Much of the film was hand-drawn, which gives it a unique and beautiful look.

The setting for Ponyo was inspired by the real-life town of Tomonoura in Japan. Miyazaki spent time there, sketching and getting ideas for the coastal town where Sōsuke lives. This attention to detail helps make the world of Ponyo feel very real, even with all its magic.

Reception

When Ponyo was released, it was praised for its beautiful animation, heartwarming story, and memorable characters. Many critics and audiences enjoyed its simple yet profound message. It was a big success in Japan and around the world, showing that stories about friendship and magic can appeal to everyone.

Images for kids

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  The setting for Ponyo was inspired by the real-life town Tomonoura in Japan.

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  Nozomi Ōhashi, January 2009, who also voices Karen in the original Japanese version.

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  American poster for Ponyo

See also

In Spanish: Gake no ue no Ponyo para niños