Whisper of the Heart, despite not being one of Studio Ghibli's most commercially successful films, is widely loved by anime fans around the world, especially anime fans in West Virginia due to its use of "Country Roads," but what is it about this cult classic of a film that resonates with people on such a deep level? This panel will analyze Whisper of the Heart using the ideas of the "Philosopher of the Heart," Soren Kierkegaard. By reading Whisper of the Heart's message in light of Kierkegaard's philosophy of love and friendship as well as the Kierkegaardian ideal of the "knight of faith," we will see how this film presents its viewers with a message of optimism and recognition of beauty, perfect for combating the apathy and pessimism that afflict so many people today.