No, Disney was not the first to ever release movies about heroines being portrayed in a feature film. Most movies from Studio Ghibli are about heroines who are string willed with a kind heart. Ghibli fans are excited for this movie and it was reported that they even wish that other films from Ghibli archive will also be shown with the original casts and musical scores.
Studio Ghibli is known for making unforgettable feature films. Even if Miyazaki has already decided to retire from making these epic animated films, Studio Ghibli is still eager to enchant their audiences with the English translation of their 1991 film "Only Yesterday."
The animated film follows the story about a girl Taeko. She is 27 years old during the 1980's and is going through the crossroads of her life. She decides to travel to the countryside and while at it, she reminisced about her young life growing up in Tokyo. "Only Yesterday," is a double period film, switching back to where it also shows Taeko in her younger years of the 1960's, facing problems regarding puberty, math, and boys. In her young adult life, she was left wondering if she was able to fulfill the dreams of her childhood.
The film is produced by Hayao Miyazaki and Directed by Isao Takahata. Studio Ghilbli is also the creator of the well loved animated movies that came from the land of the rising sun, Japan. Some of the most popular ones are Spirited Away, Ponyo, The Secret World of Arriety, Whispers of the Heart and Princess Mononoke.
This time coming from an archive, the film "Only Yesterday" has been re-released at the IFC Center Theater in New York City. It was reported they will also be expanding the movie into more theaters on February 26. The re-released version features the voice of Daisy Ridey of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Dev Patel.
You can go to the ifccenter.com to check for the show times.