From Up on Poppy Hill

Set in 1963 Yokohama, Japan, this Studio Ghibli film follows Umi, a teenage girl who raises signal flags each morning in memory of her father lost at sea, and Shun, a boy involved in saving their school's historic clubhouse from demolition. As they work together on the school newspaper and preservation efforts, they develop feelings for each other while navigating family secrets and the changing landscape of post-war Japan. The story beautifully explores themes of remembrance, environmental preservation, and how the past shapes the present, while showcasing strong female characters and celebrating Japanese cultural heritage during a time of modernization.