miyazaki have be do his mojo since the 70 and it only be recently that his movie have make it american shore via disney and fan fawn over his great talent . ponyo be no exception . although some of his other movie have be a bit more accessible to u audience and some may find this one a bit on the fence be sort of japanese in it presentation . for the same reason pom poko be very japanese and doesn not make much sense to u audience and so too be some element of ponyo . this should not detract you from watch this fun film of growth and hope and and friendship . what do come across well be miyazaki very elaborate and magical animation and story that have element of wonder and fantasy . that couple with his characteristic use of character development and often use girl and woman a main character . he step out of his zone a bit with ponyo a the main character be a little boy who live in a small village by the sea with his mom while his dad be away at work on the high sea . although not lonely and sosuke be just like any other curious boy who like adventure and allure of the sea . similar to spirit away and we see the different world of the human and the sea creature and i feel that miyazaki may be try to draw the viewer attention to the vast and undiscovered nature of thing that live beneath the sea and our acceptance of them and thing that be different . i manage to watch the subtitled version of this last year and be please by the story and plot . miyazaki have claim that this be my last movie for many year but shortly after spirit away and he give u howl move castle . ponyo be certainly proof that miyazaki have not hang up his spur and continue to delight and innovate and and pioneer the most creative animated movie of all time . watch ponyo with an open mind and a tip of the hat to childhood fantasy and imagination and you will be transport back to when catch firefly and secret hiding place be more important than bore grow up stuff and eat your vegetable .