Whisper of the Heart – Merchandise for Quiet Moments
Some films rush by, this one stays with you: "Whisper of the Heart" (original title "Mimi wo Sumaseba") released in 1995 and tells, without dragons or magic, a bigger story – the courage to take your own talent seriously. Fourteen-year-old Shizuku notices that a certain Seiji Amasawa has checked out every book on her reading list before her, follows a willful cat through Tokyo's hills, and finds an antique shop that changes her life. The film is based on the manga by Aoi Hiiragi, with a screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and direction by Yoshifumi Kondō. At Elbenwald you'll find a small, select range of officially licensed fan merchandise for the Ghibli classic.
What makes Whisper of the Heart special?
Its closeness to real life. Studio Ghibli is famous for flying castles and forest spirits – but here, the wonder lies in everyday things: library cards, train rides, a violin workshop, and the first story of her own that Shizuku struggles to finish. Then there's the music: Shizuku's translation of the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" runs through the film as a recurring motif and remains one of the studio's most memorable scenes. And with the cat figurine Baron, the film created a character so beloved that he got his own adventure in 2002's "The Cat Returns." If you love Ghibli at its quietest, you'll feel right at home here.
Frequently asked questions
What Whisper of the Heart products does Elbenwald offer?
A compact, rotating selection of officially licensed items – such as plush figures of the film's animal stars. This category page shows the current stock.
What is Whisper of the Heart about?
Book-loving schoolgirl Shizuku discovers that a boy named Seiji has always checked out the same books before her. While he pursues his craft as a violin maker, she works up the courage to write her first own story – and learns to believe in her talent.
Is Whisper of the Heart a Studio Ghibli film?
Yes. The film was made in 1995 at Studio Ghibli, based on the manga by Aoi Hiiragi, with a screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and direction by Yoshifumi Kondō – his only directing credit for the studio.
How to browse here
The plush lineup comes first: among the plush figures you'll find the portly cat that Shizuku follows through the city – a couch companion with movie-star calm. Collectors should also check the general figures department, where the Ghibli world regularly makes an appearance. New arrivals for the film land directly here on the category page.
More from the Ghibli universe
Baron's story continues at The Cat Returns – the 2002 quasi-spin-off belongs on every Ghibli watchlist. You'll find forest spirits at Totoro, bathhouse wonders at Spirited Away, flying deliveries at Kiki's Delivery Service, and wandering architecture at Howl's Moving Castle. The overview of every film lives at Studio Ghibli, and the wider world at the Anime theme world.
