Studio Ghibli’s When Marnie Was There may seem like a typical coming-of-age story, but it becomes apparent that there is something more complex and nuanced going on beneath the surface. The film’s exploration of gender, sexuality, and identity is subtle, but it’s there, hinting at a queer subtext that has captured the attention of many viewers.
Before we delve further into the nuances of the film, it’s worth noting Studio Ghibli’s reputation for featuring diverse and complex characters, often centered around female leads. Despite this, When Marnie Was There marks a departure from the usual Ghibli formula in that its protagonists do not always fit into clear-cut categories of what is considered “normal”. The film jars against the traditional “coming-of-age” themes by heavily integrating its queer subtext, making for a story that is different from the usual fare.
The Narrative of Gender and Identity
The protagonist of the film, Anna Sasaki, is a twelve-year-old girl who is sent to the countryside for the summer to live with relatives in order to improve her asthma. Anna is initially portrayed as a somewhat withdrawn, troubled youth, having difficulty interacting with others and coming to terms with her own identity. Her identity is a central facet of the story, as the film is driven by Anna’s exploration of both herself and the world around her. This exploration is also facilitated by Anna’s interactions with the film’s title character, Marnie.
Marnie is a young girl who appears to Anna as a beautiful, charismatic figure. However, as the film progresses, it is made clear that Marnie may not be real, but a figment of Anna’s imagination. It’s up to the viewers to decipher the mystery behind Marnie’s existence and what she represents to Anna.
The ambiguity surrounding Marnie is central to the queer reading of When Marnie Was There. Her portrayal as Anna’s idealized woman figure leads to questions about her significance to Anna’s own identity. Behind this lies the question of whether or not Anna is coming to terms with her own homosexuality. Anna’s affection for Marnie, while not overtly romantic, is heavy with meaning in this interpretation. It is clear that Anna’s relationship with Marnie represents a deeply intimate bond that goes beyond the surface level of mere friendship.
The Perception of Sexual Identity
When it comes to sex and love, When Marnie Was There is rich with detail. It tackles the topic of love from the perspectives of both the young and the old. Anna’s attempts to figure out her own romantic interests are mirrored by the film’s portrayal of elder characters who struggle with the fact that their lifelong romance cannot officially be recognized due to the gender of the individuals involved. It is made clear that sexuality is something complicated and difficult to come to terms with for many individuals.
The film’s director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, has been coy about the underlying themes pertaining to sexual identity, instead choosing to allow the audience to interpret the characters’ feelings and motivations on their own. Some have taken this to task as insincere, but it’s possible that Yonebayashi is purposefully trying to say that sexual identity isn’t always a straight-forward issue, especially for those who are still in the process of understanding it themselves.
Despite the vagueness we are left with by the end of the film, it’s clear that When Marnie Was There has enough queer subtext to make it a favorite among LGBTQ+ audiences and open up a new avenue for discussion on sexual identity.
Conclusion
While Studio Ghibli has never explicitly dealt with LGBTQ+ themes in its films, When Marnie Was There offers a complex, subtle queer subtext that has been embraced by those knowledgeable and curious about the subject. Its approach conveys the message that sexual identity is something that is often complex and takes time to fully understand and come to terms with.Overall, it stands as testament that simple gestures, mixed signals, and vague understandings make for moving stories when cared for and executed with the deftness that this movie has brought to its audience.
FAQ
Were Marnie and Anna in love?
The question of whether Marnie and Anna were in love is a complex one and can be interpreted differently by different viewers. In the movie “When Marnie Was There” by Studio Ghibli, the two main characters, Marnie and Anna, develop a deep and close relationship. At first, Anna is wary of Marnie, who she believes to be a ghost. But as she spends more time with Marnie, she begins to open up and the two form a strong bond.
There are a number of things that suggest that the girls’ relationship could be interpreted as romantic or “in love.” For example, they share moments that are often depicted as romantic in films, such as dancing together or having picnics in idyllic settings. They also seem to share a deep emotional connection that goes beyond mere friendship.
Furthermore, both girls express their love for each other throughout the movie. Marnie tells Anna that she loves everything about her, and Anna tells Marnie that she feels as if they are two halves of the same person. At the same time, it’s worth noting that Marnie and Anna are both very young and may not have fully understood the romantic implications of the words they were using.
Despite this, there are also many elements of the story that suggest that there may not have been a romantic relationship between Marnie and Anna. For one, Anna is dealing with issues of depression and anxiety, which can lead to feelings of intense attachment to those who provide comfort and support. It’s possible that her relationship with Marnie was more about finding solace and comfort in a close friend, rather than developing a romantic attraction.
It’S up to each viewer to interpret Marnie and Anna’s relationship in their own way. The movie is intentionally ambiguous when it comes to the nature of their bond, leaving room for different interpretations and readings. the beauty of “When Marnie Was There” lies in its ability to depict the power and complexity of human relationships, regardless of whether they are romantic or platonic in nature.
Does Anna like Marnie in When Marnie Was There?
In the 2014 Studio Ghibli film, When Marnie Was There, the main protagonist, Anna, finds herself struggling to fit in with her peers and feeling quite alone. Her situation takes a turn when she meets Marnie, a girl who lives in a mansion by the marsh. Through their interactions, it is made apparent that Anna harbors deep affection for Marnie. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Anna’s relationship with Marnie is much more complex than a mere friendship.
Although Anna is infatuated with Marnie, she is also intimidated by her. Whenever Marnie references her wealthy family’s lifestyle, Anna feels out of place, perpetuating her already low self-esteem. Additionally, Anna seems to struggle with Marnie’s fluctuating emotions, often resulting in unexpected outbursts and rude behavior.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that Anna, through her interactions with Marnie, uncovers painful truths about herself and her family. Her experiences with Marnie, who is later revealed to be a figment of her imagination, prompt Anna to confront her inner thoughts and feelings, ultimately leading to a sense of closure.
While Anna’s attachment to Marnie is undeniable, it’s evident that Anna’s feelings toward her are much more nuanced than love or friendship. Marnie serves as a catalyst for Anna to confront the complex emotions that she had been suppressing and helps her move forward in her own life.
Why does Marnie call Anna Kazuhiko?
In the animated movie “When Marnie Was There,” one of the main characters, Marnie, calls the protagonist, Anna, by the name “Kazuhiko” at one point in the story. This might be confusing for viewers who are not familiar with the context, but it can be explained through the dream-like sequences and memories that occur throughout the movie.
First of all, it’s important to acknowledge that Marnie is a ghost, or more accurately, a figment of Anna’s imagination. Marnie represents Anna’s desire for a friend and her longing for a connection to the past and to her own family history. As such, Marnie’s actions and words are often symbolic or metaphorical, rather than literal.
The moment when Marnie calls Anna “Kazuhiko” occurs towards the end of the movie, when Anna is trying to unravel the mystery of Marnie’s identity and her own memories. In this scene, Marnie appears to Anna in a vision while she is being transported by boat to the silo where she once tried to meet Marnie. Marnie is wearing a kimono and her hair is styled differently than usual, which might suggest that she is more closely resembling someone from Anna’s family history.
As they talk, Marnie recalls a memory of going to the silo with a boy named Kazuhiko, who she claims was her best friend. She describes him as someone who was kind and always knew how to make her laugh. However, she also says that she was too scared to reveal her true feelings to him, and that he eventually left her without saying goodbye.
It is at this moment that Marnie seems to transfer her memories and emotions onto Anna, calling her “Kazuhiko” instead. It’s possible that Marnie sees some similarity between Anna and Kazuhiko, such as their loneliness or their artistic talent. Alternatively, it could be seen as a way for Marnie to express her affection for Anna, which she has been hinting at throughout the movie.
The reason why Marnie calls Anna “Kazuhiko” is open to interpretation, and may depend on how you view the relationship between the two characters. However, it highlights the theme of memory and how it can be distorted or blurred over time. It also emphasizes the importance of connecting with others and sharing one’s feelings, even if it means taking a risk.
