Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies

Trailer Breakdown: Ponyo

Features
By James White published 24 June 2009

Hayao Miyazaki's latest work of genius is filleted...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Under The Sea

Under The Sea

Look kids - fish! We're really glad Pixar forced Andrew Stanton to abandon John Carter and get back to making what we all really want - a hand-drawn Finding Nemo seq... Wait, what? Sorry? Oh, this is Ponyo, apparently.

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Fishy Tale

Fishy Tale

Here comes the warm-voiced Disney trailer man to kick off the narration: "He has been hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time." Michael Bay finally gets his due!

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Bubble Bobble

Bubble Bobble

"This summer, Hayao Miyazaki, director of the academy award-winning Spirited Away, releases his next masterpiece." Oh, hang on... Not Bay. That makes more sense. He's just put out a film too, though.

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Watership... Up?

Watership... Up?

It's a ship! With fins! Swimming among the sea. This is how you know you're definitely in Miyazaki territory. Either that, or someone slipped LSD into your drink.

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Rod Stewart's house, circa the 1970s. Okay, not really. This is our heroine's - who will come to be called Ponyo - father, who believes she has a mission in life.“We’ve all been waiting for you…”

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Hello, Kiddie

Hello, Kiddie

Ponyo's pop is voiced by Liam Neeson. Apparently his particular set of skills in this instance includes... keeping little kids in bubbles?

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
High Tide

High Tide

"The whole world is out of balance," he says. Looks like we're in for another set of kids who have to bring balance to their world, what with this and Last Airbender. We know which movie we'd rather see right now.

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Waves Of Destruction

Waves Of Destruction

Look! A car! Being washed away by the waves! Eco-chaos! Ha! Beat, that, Roland Emmerich! Oh, right... Aircraft carrier vs The White House. You win this round, Roland.

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
Big Burden

Big Burden

"Ponyo, you have to trust me. You’re the only one who can save the planet. Do it now, do it!" Blimey dad... pushy much?

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Big Family

Big Family

This lot are Ponyo's sisters. Looks like her dad's been busy. Might be more Mick Jagger than Rod Stewart, then...

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
Lisa Looks Out

Lisa Looks Out

This is Lisa, voiced in the US version by TF favourite Tina Fey! It's not often we see her do a dramatic role. “I’ve never seen the ocean like this," she says as waves crash. You've never seen Margate during the windy season, then, love.

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
So... So... Sosuke

So... So... Sosuke

This is Sosuke, Lisa's son and the boy destined to become Ponyo's friend/crush object. "Wow!" he exclaims, looking out at something. We're guessing a Lindsay Lohan nip slip. But we could be wrong.

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Golden Fish

Golden Fish

Ponyo was born a goldfish, but desperately yearns to become a human after meeting Sosuke. The story was, unsurprisingly, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy story, which Disney previously adapted into.... oh, we're going to say Beauty And The Beast? Kidding...

Since she's of fishy nature, she naturally has a good rapport with the local fin sqaud.

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
Mom?

Mom?

"Good luck, Ponyo..." Cate Blanchett as the character we believe to be Ponyo's mother, once more cornering the market on ethereal, shiny-light ladies.

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
To The Surface!

To The Surface!

Ponyo, with the help of her sisters, makes it to the surface, but her biggest challenges lie ahead. We'd make a crack here about avoiding whaling ships, but it's probably not culturally sensitive.

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Sailor Shock

Sailor Shock

“What is that?” shouts a sailor as Ponyo and her fishy mates break the surface. What, never seen a fish-girl and a load of whales shooting out of the sea before? Amateur.

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Surfing Life

Surfing Life

"Dear Agonyy Aunt column, today I chased after the boy I like while surfing on the back of the whale. Is this coming on too strong? Yours, Ponyo. PS Sorry the letter is soggy."

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Name Brands

Name Brands

Betty White! Sold! We're in. Actually, we doubt she'll be able to unleash her notoriously fun potty mouth in what is clearly aimed at kids.

But we're anxious to see Miyazaki's latest - it looks amazing, with some stunning animation. And while the storyline might not be as mature as some of his other films, we're sure it'll be loaded with charm.

Come on Disney, give us a British release date! And not straight to video - we want to see this thing on the big screen...

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
CATEGORIES
Netflix Amazon Prime Video Streaming Services
James White
Freelance Journalist

James White is a freelance journalist who has been covering film and TV for over two decades. In that time, James has written for a wide variety of publications including Total Film and SFX. He has also worked for BAFTA and on ODEON's in-cinema magazine. 

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
Latest in Action Movies
David Corenswet as Superman
DC Movies James Gunn explains why Superman and Braniac "have beef," and it might be a hint about Man of Tomorrow
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Tom Holland wants to mentor the next Marvel Spidey, like Robert Downey Jr. did for him
 
 
Robert Downey Jr. in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement video
Marvel Movies Avengers: Doomsday directors provide the most cryptic tease yet, but we're fairly sure it's about Doctor Doom
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies A second Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer has just been age-rated, and it looks like it could drop online very soon
 
 
Spider-Man Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Kevin Feige says Brand New Day is the first MCU Spider-Man movie to focus on the webslinger's "classic elements"
 
 
cover of Teen Titans: Burning Rage #1
DC Movies James Gunn shuts down rumor that Euphoria creator is directing upcoming DC movie Teen Titans: "It's not true"
 
 
Latest in Features
A Space Marine Librarian fires magic at an Ork Weirdboy
Tabletop Gaming I've been hands on with Warhammer 40K Armageddon, and it's the push I need to finally go all in
 
 
Pragmata character Diana holding her hand up
Action Games Why Pragmata disappeared for 6 years, and how Capcom built a new IP while the industry imploded
 
 
Cosy Nintendo Switch games on a purple background
Nintendo Switch Get comfy, these are the 12 cozy Nintendo Switch games you need to hit ultimate zen this weekend
 
 
James Bond looking serious in glasses in 007 First Light
Action Games After 007 First Light, can we ease up on parries and ledge-climbing?
 
 
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 trailer screen grab showing John Price
FPS Games Modern Warfare 4: Everything we know about the new Call of Duty game
 
 
Zero Parades screenshots
RPGs Zero Parades being an easier RPG than Disco Elysium makes perfect sense
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Three-way split image showing three different pixel characters posing with their weapons.
    1
    One of the best games of the decade joins Chained Echoes and over 16 other JRPG love letters in this upcoming crossover
  2. 2
    Uncharted 3 co-director and The Dragon Prince co-creator joins the Overwatch team, once again reigniting hopes for an animated show
  3. 3
    Former Dying Light lead says long-term game support "builds the community trust" and is also great for sales: "The game will give back"
  4. 4
    Dragon Age and BioWare veteran says games could learn a thing or two from how the movie business makes money
  5. 5
    Masters of the Universe director explains how the new movie reckons with He-Man's "wildly internally inconsistent" mythology

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...