Going into My Neighbors the Yamadas I had zero expectations. I had never even seen the ratings recently enough to remember them. I was sad to see that there was nothing special in this movie. The plot of My Neighbors the Yamadas isn't there. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing. It works really well with movies like 'Boyhood', but with this movie it was presented in such a dull way, and it all just felt incredibly pointless. The characters aren't really existent either. Sure, they feel like a real enough family, but the movie is cut up into such small skit- like clips that there was hardly any time to even get into the characters. The movie had some funny points, but they were more caused by the sheer weirdness and nonsense that the movie was filled with over actual jokes. Overall My Neighbors the Yamadas just wasn't anything special. Combined with the excessive boredom, lack of rhyme or reason, lack of character and just lack of anything, the movie falls short of even an average movie. This was easily the longest hour and a half of my life, and I wish I could get it back. In the end I would definitely not recommend this movie. Even to families, it's targeted audience, it would be extremely dry and boring. The only thing that makes up for it all is the art style, which is quite fantastic. I can't see how or why someone could love this movie, but if you do then good for you. I will never understand you.

MY NEIGHBOURS THE YAMADAS is a completely atypical movie for Studio Ghibli and probably their most unusual movie to date. The hand-drawn animation seems crude compared to the more elaborate outings directed by Miyazaki, but the simpleness of cartoon characters does grow on you as the film goes on.Essentially, this is a series of comic vignettes showing the various misadventures of an ordinary family living in Japan. Although there are a few fantasy sequences as the characters imagine themselves floating through the air or going on wild adventures, for the most part it's humdrum and realistic. The humour comes from the ditzy characters and the things they get up to, particularly the crazy old grandmother.Those looking for plots about saving the world or battles between heroes and villains are likely to be disappointed by the ordinariness of this one, the matter-of-fact way the film develops and the distinct lack of any kind of storyline. However, I found it quietly charming in its own unique way, and it's certainly a distinctive movie, so there are things to recommend it - if you know what to expect beforehand and prepare your mindset accordingly to take a step back and just enjoy the minutiae of everyday life.

i watched this movie trough local TV shows, and haven't missed any episodes of it! it fulls with extraordinary funny character! really man i mean it! especially the mother character! i guarantee you can't stop laughing! the artwork seems unusual...but that's the point of it! beside of the hilarious stories ( four thumbs up for the script writer) i almost can't find another TV show that matches the yamada's. if you're fans of the friend's TV series or family - comedy show, need a laugh ( lots of it! ), not so think - too hard show,this is your shows! ( if you like anime though! )if you're not fans of anime well...just try the show! concentrate on the story! i bet you'll love it! the world needs a lot of laugh lately...it'll cheer up your gloomy day. what i regret the most is...the yamada's only has a view episodes ( imagine if it has hundreds episodes like naruto or one piece )oh ho ho...anyway...happy watching and hope that you enjoy as much as i do. if you like it...i could give you another tittle : kariage - kun, kobo - chan ,atasinchi, and crayon shin - chan. alls are greaaattt shows!

I enjoy many types of animation but after watching this DVD last night I was stunned. The minimalist artwork set the impressionistic spring mood. The music was upbeat and light matching the "baby blues and pinks" colouring.I've never seen anything like this before. Not only does it encourage the would-be Animator to try similar things but the hidden themes behind each little cartoon clip was touching and honest.The introduction was a grabber for me with the beautiful analogy of this Japanese family going through life like a voyage on rough seas.I watched it with the American voices, they matched the drawings so well, giving them warmth and realism to the Yamada family's personalities that is impossible to convey via the drawings alone.I loved My Neighbours the Yamadas and wish Hisaishi Ishii and the Director would continue creating more brilliant work.