Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio run by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata (recently deceased), and produced by Toshio Suzuki. I began to watch Studio Ghibli before I even knew what it was. The first movie I ever saw from Hayao Miyazaki was Spirited Away, airing on Cartoon Network when I was eight, and drawing me into his colorful world.

Studio Ghibli is known for it’s fluid animation, beautiful imagery, and heartwarming lessons. It generally follows the adventures of children, giving movement to their wild imaginations and uninhibited youth. Some of my favorite movies which I will be showcasing in this post are Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, The Secret World of Arriety, and Ponyo. I believe the movies speak for themselves and so, without further ado, I invite you to the fantastic and bizarre world of Studio Ghibli…

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

I wanted to start with this movie because, unlike the rest, it is morose and very, very real. The movie follows a boy, Seita, and his little sister, Setsuko, as they navigate mid-World War I Japan. Their mother is killed, their father dies in war, and they are turned out by their only surviving relative. The two are forced to live by their own means until, eventually, Setsuko dies from starvation and Seita dies from a combination of both starvation and grief from the loss of his little sister. The movie is gruesome and unbelievably sad but it is also beautiful. Studio Ghibli imbues a haunting reality with color and movement.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

On a happier note, My Neighbor Totoro follows two young girls who move to a new house and befriend friendly forest spirits. The main spirit, Totoro, is a large cat-like character who eventually becomes Studio Ghibli’s mascot. This movie is light-hearted and warmly optimistic with the themes of childhood curiosity and the power of friendship.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki’s Delivery Service is about a young witch who is enlisted by a local shop owner to make deliveries by way of broom. The movie is about the transition from childhood to adolescence where, at thirteen, Kiki has gained her flying abilities, some independence from her parents, and romantic attention from a local boy. It is a sweet although not extraordinary film with a heartwarming moral and happy ending.

Princess Mononoke

This movie is one of my personal favorites. It follows a prince named Ashitaka who is cursed by a forest god and must pursue a cure in the distant forest land Nego. He is told he can find the cure from the Great Forest Spirit. While searching for the spirit, he encounters a girl named San who runs with wolves and protects the forest from human destruction. A group of humans from a nearby village move to clear cut the forest, killing the Great Forest Spirit, and causing complete destruction of the once vibrant woods. The humans realize their mistake and vow to be better, allowing the forest to slowly but surely regrow, but not without causing substantial damage first. The themes of the movie are pretty self-explanatory, cautioning us against environmental destruction and encouraging humans to value the infinite beauty of nature.

Spirited Away (2001)

This is probably the most well-known Studio Ghibli movie in America. The movie follows a little girl, Chihiro, who happens upon a magical land with her parents. Soon after entering the strange place, Chihiro’s parents turn into pigs and the family becomes trapped in the spirit world. Chihiro is befriended by a spirit boy and harassed by an evil witch. She goes on many thrilling adventures and eventually escapes the land with her parents in their human form and fond memories of the spirits she met there. The movie mainly explores Japanese folklore as well as the themes of childhood and formative friendships.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Howl’s Moving Castle is definitely my most frequently watched Studio Ghibli movie. It was the first movie I fell in love with and the one which really drew me into the the world of Ghibli. The movie follows a girl named Sophie who is transformed into an old woman by an evil witch. She leaves her home and wanders the land until she encounters the moving (literally on two legs, walking) castle of a young wizard named Howl. The two go on a series of adventures involving feuding kingdoms, missing princes, and magic. In the end all is well, Sophie and Howl fall in love (or at least that’s how I chose to interpret it), and all is well. The movie expresses some of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s anti-war sentiments.

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

The Secret World of Arrietty follows a young, terminally ill boy spending his summer in the country. Within a few days he discovers a tiny but hidden world of “borrowers”. The borrowers are a tiny family who live in the walls of the house and borrow essentials such as sugar and food. The boy, Sho, befriends the daughter of the borrowers, Arietty, and a wonderful companionship ensues. Arrietty’s family discovers the friendship and, afraid of the implications of human discovery, move out of the house. There is a final goodbye between Sho and Arrietty as the family of borrowers make their way down the river and Sho is left only with his memories.

Ponyo (2008)

I have saved my favorite movie for last! Ponyo is the story of a fish princess, born to a sea goddess and a wizard, who washes up on the shore of Fujimoto’s home. The two instantly connect and form the bond sacred to children. Ponyo’s escape from the sea and her use of magic to transform herself into a human child throw off the balance of nature and cause massive monsoons. Together, Ponyo and Fujimoto naviagate the risen sea to find his mother and her father. It is revealed that if Ponyo is to stay human, Fujimoto’s love must be strong enough to tether her to the earth or she will turn to sea foam. In the end, Fujimoto proves his love and Ponyo is free to live as a human girl. Ponyo is an excellent movie to end on because it’s colors, vibrancy, and imagery truly communicate the artistic power of Studio Ghibli’s movies and the way in which their simple yet hard-hitting themes and incredible animation engage the mind and move the soul.

-Sophie