耳をすませば

Mimi wo Sumaseba #1

by Aoi Hiiragi

Shizuku Tsukishima loves books. One day, she notices that the name Seiji Amasawa appears on the checkout cards of nearly every book she's borrowed. Before she realizes it, her heart is pounding for a boy she's never met...and that's when a mysterious black cat and Shizuku's sense of wonder guide her to an unusual shop-and introduce her to someone she's been curious to meet. Amazing things can happen...when you listen to your heart.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Japanese Literature, Fiction

177 pages, Comic

First published February 1, 1990

About the author

柊あおい (Hiiragi Aoi).

Reviews

[Cielo · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT WAS SO HEARTWARMING
I loved the movie so much,it's probably my favourite “realistic” ghibli film,so when i found out it was a manga i cried so hard.And i really liked it! it's slightly different from the film,though.
I think I liked the movie better because it was about finding your destiny,and following your dreams. Shizuku and Seiji find motivation in each other and that's AMAZING,but the manga didn't had much of that.But overall it was really enyoyable,and the cuteness!!!!! *swooons*
4.5

[m. · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute! i think i prefer the film but this was also very lovely.

[Bella Azam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and lighthearted high school romance. Love the studio ghibli's movie but this one was more straightforward with the execution while the movie had more of fantasy flairs in it with a hint of youthful romance. Surprisingly quite fun to read and i found additional characters in here very likeable.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little story and an inspiration for a Ghibli masterpiece.

[dee ⋆˚࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"For some reason, it seems that just reading stories isn't enough anymore."

"So, why don't you write them, then?"

and the rest, as they say, is history. 🥲🤍 i love whisper of the heart in all its forms, forever and ever and ever !!!

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute. :) One of my favourite Studio Ghiblis.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers of the Heart is the prequel, in some ways to Baron: The Cat Returns, even though there is not a lot of character bleed-through (although we do see the Baron and Muta -- well-worth the price of admission).

Again, this is a YA coming-of-age/rom-com kind of graphic novel. The story is lovely - without spoiling it, I can say that it's about two junior high students with dreams, who learn about the prep work for those dreams, and how it will affect their lives at the same time they are falling for each other.

Again, in addition to the graphic novel, I watched the English-language version of the 1995 film, so I would not miss any nuances. Although not as "star-studded" as Baron: The Cat Returns, it does feature Brittany Snow as Shizuko, with Jean Smart and James Sikking voicing Shizuku's parents. Again, it tells its love stories (Shizuko and Seiji, Seiya and Asako, the Baron and Louise, and Nishi and Louise) clearly, with each couple representing different aspects of relationships. This works out very well, storywise, since no one couple has to do all the heavy lifting.

Again, both graphic novels are definitely worth pursuing, and not only because they will be entertaining, but will not take big chunks out of your day.

Further, I cannot really wait to see what other treasures from Studio Ghibli will manage to surprise me along my path. As always, if you have any suggestions along these lines, I'd be happy to hear them.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of this manga is very similar to the Studio Ghibli movie, then veers off into it's own alternative universe. It's always a pleasure to hear stories about Shizuku. A good reader for anyone wanting to read their first Japanese text, looks of yomikata and easy to understand language.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[ジェシカ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This manga does have the perfect meetcute

[Pari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE. Where were you for two years?!

Actual review can be found here

[Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Cute, lighthearted story with a touch of magic.

Characters 7
Atmosphere 7
Writing Style 7
Setup 7
Plot 7
Intrigue 7
Logic 7
Enjoyment 7

[My Little Forest · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoyed its Ghibli adaptation, you'll surely enjoy this too. Personally, Ghibli Seiji's talent and Ghibli Shirō's interactions were closer to my taste.

[Darkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming little story about a girl who loves to read. There is all kind of feeling in the book it shows one-sided love, friends who fall in love with a friend, hate to love friendship and how some parents want for their children to don't just be in fairy world but in our and to be something they want to be proud of.

[thisslight · Rating 4 out of 5]

ジブリの映画からちょっとちがうだったけど、とても楽しいかった🥹!

そして、新しい日本語の単語を習った！


The [manga] was a bit different from Ghibli’s film, but it was so fun!

Also, I learnt some new Japanese vocabulary!

[embo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need to find your inner child again, allow yourself to freely cry while reading this story.

[Rokaje Al-Rabiey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought this day would come.....I think I actually found a book where the movie is better. On the other hand, I am still happy that I read it to see the original take on the story and meet characters that did not appear in the movie. I liked the fact that Seiji Amasawa painted in the book, I kinda wish that part was in the movie (maybe like a second hobby).
The thing that makes me like the movie more than the book is the fact that most of the manga is about Shizuku not having a real problem. Like she is literally complaining about Seiji all the time and was afraid he was into her sister, and then she has her best friend's crush in love with her. Those plots (except the second one mentioned) were in the movie as well BUT they were more in the background. And the real issue was Shizuku having difficulty in school as she was occupied with fictional books and as she wants to write a story she discovers that she needs to learn the basics of writing which she learns in school to strengthen her abilities. Well at least that's what I got from the movie but overall, I feel the message was really good but sadly, it did not appear much in the book.

Anyway, I still enjoyed the manga and loved the drawings (almost more than the movie drawings) and it was a really cute ending too<3
P.s. I think this is the longest review I have ever made for a manga :-D

[Belén · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUAH... POR DONDE NARICES EMPIEZO????

Tal vez por el chico??¿¿¡¡¡ no se q tineen los chicos de GHILBI estudios q me enamoro de ellos desde la primera escena en la q aparecen... y no lo digo de coña... lo estoy diciendo muy en serio, os lo prometo... tanto q me estoy asustando...

la historia me ha flipado!!! pensaba q iba a ser un poco raro y fantasiosa, pero para nada!! cuenta la vida de una chica normal y corriente a la q le encanta leer (me he sentido muy identificada..)

buaah esq simpleste la volveria a ver, como me paso con el castillo ambulante.... me ha enamorado, por completo...

los personajes me encantan... sobre su relación... MADRE MIA.. EL ROMANCE... CHILLLSSSS!
esq me encanta, porq va como desde un odio molestia hasta el mas puro amorrrr
os prometo q cuando el chico tenia q irse, me dolía el cuerpo, porq le echaba de menos...

y cómo viste el???? HOLA??¿¡¡¡¡ No he visto ningunead otro personaje al q le queden tan bien la ropa... madre mia... los vaqueros altos... la chaqueta de aviador..... el jersey... este chico me vuelve loca...

cómo el ya se había fijado en ella antes... desde el principio... ayyy Señor...

ahi va otro CRUSSH IMPOSIBLE....

Dicho queda : PASA A SER DE MIS PELIS-ANIME FAVORITAS!!!!!!

[Veronica - I need a husband, to have a fancy last name · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMOJBOZE. I'M SORRY ALE OD DZISIAJ HAURU PRZESTAJE BYĆ MOJĄ TERAPIĄ I JEGO MIEJSCE ZAJMUJE TA MANGA. LIKE IT'S SOOOO CUTE I CANNOT.
Jakby nie oszukujmy się, wiedziałam, że to pokocham, bo whisper of the heart to mój 3 ukochany film ghibli. Ale, że aż tak???
Jakby aż mnie twarz boli od ciągłego uśmiechania się przez te 100-ileś stron (+parę łez też poleciało na końcu, żeby nie było-musi być jakiś złoty środek). To było takie heartwarming. I tak urocze. I don't get me wrong scena z country roads w filmie jest iconic. Ale Seiji jako malarz? Moja miłość do tego człowieka właśnie przekroczyła wszelkie granice (like on namalował Shizuku 😭😭😭) + 2 kotki a nie jeden? (+ofc mój kochany baron i baronowa) = jestem w kocim niebie.

+I zawsze kochałam jak Shizuku wracała do domu i mówiła jaki to Seiji jest głupi itp. A tutaj ta scena jest Imo dużo lepsza (sorry not sorry ale no jakby she's like: What a Jerk!...Well, he's kinda cute tho, więc jak tu tego nie kochać XDDD)

1000000/10
I już szykuje się na reread ale ze słuchaniem muzyki z filmu, żeby klimat był jeszcze lepszy.


XDDDDD i właśnie my dumb ass ogarnął, że mam profilowe z Shizuku. Tell me that ur obsessed without actually telling me ✌️

[Carol Correia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Existe um filme do studio ghibli, Sussurros do coração, baseado nesse mangá. Há algumas diferenças, mas a proposta inicial de falar sobre uma garota que ama ler que encontra a vontade de escrever e o romance entre dois adolescentes baseado em apoio mútuo (ao invés de sacrifício e devoção).
Shizuku ama ler e ela percebe um nome se repetindo na lista de quem também pegou os mesmos livros que ela – Seiji Amasawa. Ela fica fascinada com a ideia de conhecer esse rapaz, assim como fica encantada em seguir seu coração e ver aonde um gatinho preto vai. Nisso ela descobre uma loja de antiguidades e encontra outro Amasawa!
Em pouco tempo, ela vai perceber que o rapaz que antagoniza com ela é o mesmo rapaz que empresta os mesmos livros. Eles vão se aproximando entre trancos e barrancos, e acabam construindo uma relação baseada em apoio mútuo e estímulo de suas ambições.
Gosto que no mangá, há um outro Amasawa e a irmã de Shizuku mais próxima em idade. Há outras diferenças, tais como: Seiji pinta (ao invés de fazer violinos e tocar instrumentos), o avô tem um papel menor no mangá que no filme e há uma fixação maior com Baron.

[Fran Vidal · Rating 3 out of 5]

El manga en el que se basó la película Mimi wo Sumaseba, no puede ser más diferente a la adaptación de Ghibli (algo que hace mucho el estudio), pero que no por ello tiene menos encanto.
Me gustó mucho ver una Shizuku más inmadura -más niña-, más vivaz y muy graciosa (Y me reí mucho con Seiji, el muy idiota). Por otro lado, me gustó mucho leer en este año un slice of life de 1989, tanto por la estética del dibujo como por los comentarios de la autora.
Y sí, claro que decepciona un poco no leer sobre el desarrollo del talento o ver a otros personajes, por lo que recomiendo leer este manga como una historia ligera y una obra separada a la película.

[Iqra M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Whisper of the Heart. I guess partly because it reminded me of my childhood. It captured the pure bliss of domestic life, and the soundtrack is fantastic.We follow Shizuku, who loves books, and a chance encounter with a likeminded boy. I love the blossoming of young love; there’s something innocent about it.

There are a lot of differences between the manga and the anime, but the essence is still the same and just as lovely. I liked how the anime chose to solely focus on Shizuku without bringing her sister into the spotlight. There’s something about slice of life manga that warms one’s heart.

[g · Rating 3 out of 5]

whisper of the heart has been on my top 3 all time favorite ghibli movies for years and just yesterday i found out this manga existed !shame!
it feels a little bit rushed when compared to the development and pace the movie has, but its very cute. miyazaki really polished this into one of the most beautiful and profound movies i've ever seen. amazing.

[Dashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ghibli movies and wanted to see where they came from. This was a very cute and funny short story. The bickering between the main protagonist had me giggling. Of course this ended way to soon and abrupt. I did enjoy that Seiji was an artist instead of a musician like the movie. While the music was beautiful the drawings he made had more meaning to the story.

[Tanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has been crafted beautifully. I am amazed how the characters and story line was depicted. It has a beautiful moral in it which did triggered my path of becoming what I want. This book brings backs the days of my childhood for me it was full nostalgic.

This book was lyrical and heartwarming can't stop myself from reading the next book. I am eager to know what happens next.

[Misa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the movie which it made me love reading more fantasy books. This was the manga which the movie was based on it and it was a real cute shoujo about reading, loving books and getting lost in them, it was also about first loves, first heartbreaks and finding your own way on how to express yourself through art or writing.

[han · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5

I LOVED THIS SO MUCHH!!! Such a big fan of ‘Whisper of the Heart’ by Ghibli Studios and consider it as one of my comfort movies ever. The manga was very different from the film but not less magical (ok maybe slightly less magical but i still loved it). ANYWAYSS, i loved this very much i will cry.

[Eleonora · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a different story from the one we see in the movie where one of the major themes is about finding yourself and your dreams, whereas in the book this theme is not touched at all (or very little).
The story though is still very lovely and heartwarming, which is perfectly captured in the movie.
Also couldn’t be happier to have read the source material of one my absolute favorite films.

[luci · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the book that my favourite film of all time is adapted from, and i gotta say that it is really sweet and nice, with a lovely art style. however, i was surprised about the amount of changes between the book and adaptation, and i think that the missing additions from the film are to the books detriment, leaving behind a simpler, more hollow story. but it is still really cute!

[Hila · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ <>

One day, I know the paths of our two star-struck lovers will cross again. And you will surely hear them say it... if you only listen closely.”

p.176-177