Hayao Miyazaki is one of the legendary directors in the Japanese anime film industry who is best for his amazing movies under Studio Ghibli production. Let’s explore the top 10.
Social media and Internet trends get viral pretty easily and only if people were a little curious, they would do a little research rather than just participate in a trend that fits in with the world. Just like staying trendy is important to many people, staying in touch in touch with art and culture should be a part of life and a priority too. You must have already seen a viral photo-edit trend embarked on by ChatGPT where users could transform their personal pictures into filter that changes in a scene in Ghibli style.
Hayao Miyazaki is currently around the 85 years old and perhaps disappointed with the Open AI platforms that are constantly using his creative copyright for improving their own user base. While there is nothing wrong with users enjoying an aesthetic Ghibli-version of them; the mass users should also explore the legend Miyazaki and his movies to understand where these trends came from.
Studio Ghibli first came with their animation production back in 1984 with the movie ‘Naussica’ which is one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all time. Miyazaki and his team are highly dedicated to turning hand-painted pictures into artistic anime and also without any use of AI. Their authenticity and determination are the result of their spectacular movies. While a lot of people might people that Ghibli movies are Japanese anime stories made for children; it is absolutely wrong. Those who have watched movies regardless of the trends will know for a fact that Miyazaki likes to use deep intriguing metaphors in his movies that stir the adult hearts. If you have not watched any movie yet, it is time for you to shut down photo editing apps and get inspired by life!
Top 10 Studio Ghibli Movies of All Time
Studio Ghibli has released numerous movies till now and the last release by the production was ‘The Boy and The Heron’. It can be a little hard to choose the top movies as most of them are great. However, these 10 movies are a must-watch for everyone.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Miyazaki’s masterpiece works are just not about the slow creative process or the smooth animation styles. More than the aesthetics what captivates the audiences is the story. ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ is one of the best-animated films of all time it apparently feels like a children’s movie but it shows the need for nature and how forest spirits are always guiding people who are not evil. The best attraction of this movie is Totoro, a big fluffy, and kind forest spirit who is only seen by the sisters Satsuki and Mei who move over to the countryside with their father. There is also a small white spirit and size blue spirit who live among humans but are seen by none. The ride in the cat bus is wanted by most people and you will want it too!
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Well, this movie is not exactly by Miyazaki but by his greatest mentor Isao Takahata. The film was released under Ghibli production and offered a very poignant World War II story. The movie is adapted from Akiyuki Nosaka’s 1967 novel which shows the grim picture of World War 2 from Japan’s side. The story develops around two main characters namely Seita, a 14-year-old boy, and his little sister Setsuke who is only 4 years old. The US firebombing at Kobe made many children orphaned and many of them could not survive even in their own country. The movie shows the devastating consequences aftermath of war and it ends with a tragic climax. While it can expand your sob-hours, it can also make you feel more grateful about life.
- Spirited Away (2001)
The first Miyazaki movie that helped him gather attention and win the Oscars was ‘Spirited Away’. It made a huge impact in the US market and gained commercial success by earning more than $10 million. This movie is based on a spirited dimension from where the living people never return and gets stuck in the spirit dimension but 10-year-old Chiro makes it with her pure heart and the help of her spirited friends. This movie is the best example of Miyazaki’s imagination prowess with mind-bending concepts and metaphors. He has magically embraced the follies in humans, their sinful features as well as the kind heart that can fight for the right. After watching this adventurous movie, you might just rewatch just to realize what kind of a gem it is.
- Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Get ready for the cutest witch delivery service with Kiki. The movie is based on Eiko Kadono’s story of a witch apprentice who wanted to use her flying abilities to help the people in the city. The 13-year-old trainee is accompanied by a talking black cat called Jiji. There is also an aeronautics-obsessed boy named Tombo who becomes a good friend of Kiki. You might not realize but Kiki’s delivery is the finest example of women’s empowerment where women of different ages are helping each other by sharing a strong bond. Kiki’s boss, the baker lady gives her a job, a place to live, and complete comfort regardless of her witch abilities. Similarly, there is Ursula, a young woman who goes to the woods to draw birds and quickly befriends Kiki. Miyazaki knows how to embrace the little moments and simplicity of life which reflects through Kiki’s bold and powerful personality that brims with a kind and big heart.
- Pom Poko (1994)
Talk about the rebellion of animals! Although raccoons are gentle with humans, they can be very mischievous if they need to and in this movie, they declare a fight against the humans as the woods near Tokyo city keeps shrinking due to quick urbanization. Raccoons can shape-shift and they use their abilities to scare humans away but humans are even greater animals with a rigid mind. The movie takes many twists and turns and there are plenty of conflicts, but there is also a hope that will keep you hooked. The movie also depicts the terrible urban life of humans while showcasing the free-spirited wild raccoons. The contrasting layers and integrity of their characters make this film quite fun and intriguing.
- Castle in the Sky (1986)
This fantasy adventure involves a floating castle in the sky, ‘Laputa’. The castle is protected by giant asymmetrical robots who are powerful yet have a kind heart to become friends with the birds. Sheeta is the heroine of the story who has connections with Laputa who is rescued and accompanied by Pazu, a determined brave boy. While the story starts on the ground, it quickly escalates to a continuous chase through railways, mines, and later on planes in the air. The movie focuses on the greed of humans, especially the government and the military who want to capture the magical technology of Laputa. There is a great sense of discovery in the movie along with a beautiful representation of the bad and evil with plenty of grey areas.
- The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Studio Ghibli is highly revered for its animation style which is being copied and turned into a trend nowadays. ‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ is the perfect example of its expressive art style which appears like watercolor strokes made digitally. The movie is based on an Asia folklore or religion that seems based on Buddha. Kaguya is the name of the princess who comes to Earth from the moon in order to experience life on Earth. However, she finds it quite frustrating when she grows up and witnesses the evil among humans. Does she finally return to the moon again? Watch the movie to find out.
- The Red Turtle (2016)
This is one of the most unique projects by Studio Ghibli which was not a creative project by Miyazaki or Takahata. Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit’s animation work impressed Ghibli so much that they approached him personally to create a collaborative project. The animation style of this movie is quite different than Ghibli’s usual style and making a dialogue-free film in such an amazing style is truly engaging. The Story of Red Turtle could feel like a dream of a survivor, a shipwrecked man who finds the ‘labor of love’. There are poetic imageries to love and life which makes this film quite captivating for the adults.
- Ponyo (2008)
Do you know about “Heidi, Girl of the Alps,”? Takahata and Miyazaki collaborated on the European-style project before Ghibli was established. Later on, they came back again to create a more English-influenced story than Japanese, and it is called ‘Ponyo’. There is no reference to ‘The Little Mermaid’ other than Ponyo wanting to live on lands for a boy. The film also shows how nature can reclaim it is wants to but this time, there is no forest but only the raging ocean. Ponyo shares the spirit of the ocean and a pure heart that knows how to love. She is the true embodiment of how humans should be.
- Only Yesterday (1991)
This movie can offer you an after-taste by representing 27-year-old Taeko who takes a trip to her sister in a small town after setting her life in the city. This film is based on family drama but offers a greater introspective life with nostalgia and long-lost memories. It triggers the deeper guilt and the incidents we find troublesome to get over with. The timelessness in the story constantly takes audiences back and forth, until the very end. Make sure to watch the end credits.
Whether you edit your picture in Ghibli style or not, please make sure watch these movies that can change your life.
