My Neighbors The Yamadas blends a distinct Japanese animation style to deliver laughs about the ups and downs of marriage, family, and life in general.
The DVD film is based on a comic strip by writer/artist Hisaichi Ishii, and is from the studio that brought Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle to the screen.
The story centers around a family consisting of the father – Takashi (English voiced by Jim Belushi), the mother Matsuko (English voiced by Molly Shannon), the teenage son Noboru (English voiced by Daryl Sabara), an eight year-old daughter Nonoko (English voiced by Lilliana Murny), and the mother-in-law Shige (English voiced by Tress MacNeille).
The show has a unique animation style, that isn’t similar to other Japanese animation, but the plots seem to fit into any family’s life. It offers a look at a family trying to maintain a traditional life in an ever-changing modern world.
Takashi is a businessman and is the so-called “head” of the house although he often does as his wife and mother-in-law, who is always right, order him.
Matsuko is a good, proper housewife except she has no interest in doing anything related to housework – because she says she has no talent for it.
Noboru is the typical teenage son who hates homework, school, and is always complaining. He is also always arguing with Takashi (sort of like a Japanese version of Homer and Bart).
Yamadas uses Japanese animation to bring laughs about life
Then there is the sane one of the family – Nonoko. Although she is only eight and extremely small, she manages to have the loudest voice, and is normally the only one not lost.
Shige, the mother-in-law, is also hilarious in the show, and lives with the family. They built their house on land she owns, and it is a fact she is sure to remind Takashi every chance she gets. She is also always the first to offer an opinion – which in her eyes is the only right opinion.<!--page-->
Yamadas Main Menu Screen
Although at times it is kind of surreal, such as when the family is riding a giant snail, the show is a great satire on family life, and the odd situations that we deal with on a daily basis. It is a bit like a Japanese version of the Simpsons, but still brings a ton of laughs with each episode.The DVD, which features both the English dubbed and Japanese languages, comes with a few special features – including behind the microphone with voice talent from the film; original storyboards, and trailers.
Behind the microphone includes interviews with Belushi, Shannon, Sabara and Mumy. The storyboards offer an insider’s look at the art of the film – it features the entire film shown in storyboard form.
I highly recommend it to any fan of Japanese animation, and to anyone wanting to try a little something different.
Yamadas Special Features Screen
It does take a few minutes to get use to the style of the film, but it is worth it thanks to the way each story seems to nail some aspect of life. It might not be for everyone, but it is worth a look.
My Neighbors the Yamadas is available for pre-order at Amazon for an Aug. 16th release. As of yet there is not a UK release date for the DVD. Visit the film’s database for more information.
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