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#10 - My Neighbor Totoro
It was between this and 'Ponyo' for my #10 spot. I needed at least one of the more adorable, feel-good films on this list because... well, I enjoy that kind of thing. While 'Ponyo' is still great fun, however, I just found this one to be far more relatable to my own life.
A large part of what makes this film work better for me is, to put it plain and simply, the overall strangeness of it all, blended with its heart-warming nature. You have things in here like little fuzzy spirits who only go away if you laugh, a cat bus, and of course, Totoro himself. And, much like with something like 'Scott Pilgrim' (perhaps a stretch, but bear with me) one could claim this all to be going on inside young Mei's head - she seeks solace in this sort of fantasy world, as her mother is suffering from a debilitating illness. Perhaps 'Where the Wild Things Are' would be a better comparison, but you get it.
So yeah, it's a nice, heartwarming venture, but I have to admit that at times it gets a bit irritating with the yelling these two girls keep doing. However, if you can get past that, it's actually a very sweet movie you could watch for a good cheering-up.
A large part of what makes this film work better for me is, to put it plain and simply, the overall strangeness of it all, blended with its heart-warming nature. You have things in here like little fuzzy spirits who only go away if you laugh, a cat bus, and of course, Totoro himself. And, much like with something like 'Scott Pilgrim' (perhaps a stretch, but bear with me) one could claim this all to be going on inside young Mei's head - she seeks solace in this sort of fantasy world, as her mother is suffering from a debilitating illness. Perhaps 'Where the Wild Things Are' would be a better comparison, but you get it.
So yeah, it's a nice, heartwarming venture, but I have to admit that at times it gets a bit irritating with the yelling these two girls keep doing. However, if you can get past that, it's actually a very sweet movie you could watch for a good cheering-up.
#09 - Kiki's Delivery Service
To me, this is one of those films where the more you think about it upon seeing it, the more you tend to like what it has to offer. There isn't a whole hell of a lot to it, but it's a fun, sweet little slice of life movie that one can watch on a bad day, and hopefully find some solace in.
It leans a bit more toward the comedic aspect of these films, but also tackles certain themes that a lot of its viewers may be able to appreciate. It deals with adapting to life-changes quickly, but I found that if you looked at it the right way, you may also find themes dealing with depression and anxiety. At least, that was my takeaway, be it ever-so subtle.
So yeah, this is a movie about a 13-year old witch trying to find her place in the world, but I wouldn't call it a "girly" movie, per se. I'd honestly suggest that this is a title that's actually more relatable to anyone's every day life than one might imagine.
It's fun, simple, cute, relatable, and I daresay, it'll provide you with the warm-fuzzies upon viewing it. All in all, an uplifting chapter in the Ghibli collection.
It leans a bit more toward the comedic aspect of these films, but also tackles certain themes that a lot of its viewers may be able to appreciate. It deals with adapting to life-changes quickly, but I found that if you looked at it the right way, you may also find themes dealing with depression and anxiety. At least, that was my takeaway, be it ever-so subtle.
So yeah, this is a movie about a 13-year old witch trying to find her place in the world, but I wouldn't call it a "girly" movie, per se. I'd honestly suggest that this is a title that's actually more relatable to anyone's every day life than one might imagine.
It's fun, simple, cute, relatable, and I daresay, it'll provide you with the warm-fuzzies upon viewing it. All in all, an uplifting chapter in the Ghibli collection.
#08 - Spirited Away
I'm just gonna say it - this film is great, but it's kinda overrated. I feel that because it still stands as the only Ghibli film to receive an Oscar for 'Best Animated Feature', this is the title people flock to. There's seldom better word-of-mouth for a film than an award, especially an Oscar. But I think that while it's still solid enough to make my Top 10, there are better films in the collection that people tend to skip over.
I definitely enjoy the fact that this film has a truly original concept, strong characters, great animation, a solid soundtrack and valuable lessons about greed. However, I can't deny that at times I just find this one to be kinda slow and less exciting than some of the titles I place further up on the list.
All that said, however, this one still gets credit for introducing me to the likes of No Face. I actually strongly consider him to be one of the creepiest characters in the Ghibli collection, and that's mostly when he isn't being greedy and being all monstrous.
Certainly one of the better titles, to be sure, but don't forget to check out some of the other titles higher up on this list, too.
I definitely enjoy the fact that this film has a truly original concept, strong characters, great animation, a solid soundtrack and valuable lessons about greed. However, I can't deny that at times I just find this one to be kinda slow and less exciting than some of the titles I place further up on the list.
All that said, however, this one still gets credit for introducing me to the likes of No Face. I actually strongly consider him to be one of the creepiest characters in the Ghibli collection, and that's mostly when he isn't being greedy and being all monstrous.
Certainly one of the better titles, to be sure, but don't forget to check out some of the other titles higher up on this list, too.
#07 - The Cat Returns
I'd have to say that the main reason this one ends up making the list altogether is that, it's quite frankly,probably the one film in the list I could probably just pop on any old time for a good, short, fun little jaunt. It's short, it's simple, and it's often actually pretty damn funny. I'd consider it to be probably the strongest comedy of the Ghibli series.
It brings back the character of the Baron, who was first seen as a cat statue in 'Whisper of the Heart', inspiring the lead of that film to write about him. But this is just a far more enjoyable tale, slightly more grounded in a more realistic world than the fantasy world of someone's imagination - which was not necessarily terrible, but this is just better, in my humble opinion.
In many ways, I find this one to be a little breath of fresh air while wading through a lot of the heavier or more epic titles Ghibli has to offer. It also offers what is potentially my personal most laugh-out-loud moment involving a golf ball, but you'll have to see for yourself whether it affects you the same way.
It brings back the character of the Baron, who was first seen as a cat statue in 'Whisper of the Heart', inspiring the lead of that film to write about him. But this is just a far more enjoyable tale, slightly more grounded in a more realistic world than the fantasy world of someone's imagination - which was not necessarily terrible, but this is just better, in my humble opinion.
In many ways, I find this one to be a little breath of fresh air while wading through a lot of the heavier or more epic titles Ghibli has to offer. It also offers what is potentially my personal most laugh-out-loud moment involving a golf ball, but you'll have to see for yourself whether it affects you the same way.
#06 - The Secret World of Arrietty
A neat take on 'The Borrowers' (and the first and only take I've actually seen, personally, so my judgment may not be entirely fair), I really enjoyed how this one put itself in its own little world (pun totally intended) by skipping over the grand scale of the world (flying, travelling, vast landscapes, etc.) and bringing it right down into a tiny universe, playing with different ideas.
A few of these ideas one might appreciate include the incredibly realistic backgrounds, using sound design to full advantage, and its take on themes having to do with environment, and even endangered species (ie, the Borrowers, themselves).
But another more positive theme going on here, in the reverse, has to do with finding the good in humanity. Throughout this film, humankind isn't necessarily evil, but certainly not to be trusted. Arrietty attempts to find the good in humankind through the full-sized characer, Shō. The relationship between the two is thankfully less of a love story and more of a friendship and understanding. Somthing I always kind of admire in storytelling.
A few of these ideas one might appreciate include the incredibly realistic backgrounds, using sound design to full advantage, and its take on themes having to do with environment, and even endangered species (ie, the Borrowers, themselves).
But another more positive theme going on here, in the reverse, has to do with finding the good in humanity. Throughout this film, humankind isn't necessarily evil, but certainly not to be trusted. Arrietty attempts to find the good in humankind through the full-sized characer, Shō. The relationship between the two is thankfully less of a love story and more of a friendship and understanding. Somthing I always kind of admire in storytelling.
#05 - Castle in the Sky
Well, I said it would be one of my favourites of the series in my review, and my opinion didn't change. It was a bold statement, considering it was only the second-reviewed film on the Ghibli list, but there's just far more to like about this film than dislike.
Even though for me, I said that the characters are sort of balanced between strong and weak (I particularly enjoy Pazu; the kind-hearted and helpful, scrappy little hero), the animation, the scenes of flight, the soundtrack and the original concept storytelling are all things to be admired.
One of the most powerful things this film ends up doing is setting up a bit of a romantic interest between Sheeta (our main character) and Pazu, but not keeping it so in your face. You don't REALLY see a lot of lovey-dovey stuff between them, so much as two very strong friends - but you still get that there's something there.
Above all else though, it's just a lot of fun to watch as an original concept for a fantasy film.
Even though for me, I said that the characters are sort of balanced between strong and weak (I particularly enjoy Pazu; the kind-hearted and helpful, scrappy little hero), the animation, the scenes of flight, the soundtrack and the original concept storytelling are all things to be admired.
One of the most powerful things this film ends up doing is setting up a bit of a romantic interest between Sheeta (our main character) and Pazu, but not keeping it so in your face. You don't REALLY see a lot of lovey-dovey stuff between them, so much as two very strong friends - but you still get that there's something there.
Above all else though, it's just a lot of fun to watch as an original concept for a fantasy film.
#04 - Howl's Moving Castle
If you're looking for a Miyazaki film that you could claim to be a feel-good film, but without being perhaps a bit too cutesy (like 'Ponyo' or 'Totoro') this is a good place to find it. It's a sort of perfect balance between the darker side of Ghibli and the more family-fun side.
On top of that, I personally found the takeaway lessons from this one to be of great personal value, in that it's a film that simply teaches us, in more ways than one, that things could always be worse. A lot of this comes from our strong female lead, Sophie, who is cursed to be an old woman throughout the film.
Meanwhile, Howl has to deal with his own curse, and he does so in a far more negative manner. Of course, Sophie's there to offer help by keeping things grounded in a not-so-fair, but very real world. The simple life lessons she dishes out are valuable.
This is a film that goes to show that life just sucks sometimes, but it's up to you to decide how to deal with the cards life deals you. This is a large reason of why it reaches my Top 5.
On top of that, I personally found the takeaway lessons from this one to be of great personal value, in that it's a film that simply teaches us, in more ways than one, that things could always be worse. A lot of this comes from our strong female lead, Sophie, who is cursed to be an old woman throughout the film.
Meanwhile, Howl has to deal with his own curse, and he does so in a far more negative manner. Of course, Sophie's there to offer help by keeping things grounded in a not-so-fair, but very real world. The simple life lessons she dishes out are valuable.
This is a film that goes to show that life just sucks sometimes, but it's up to you to decide how to deal with the cards life deals you. This is a large reason of why it reaches my Top 5.
#03 - Porco Rosso
There's a lot for me to appreciate about 'Porco Rosso', but perhaps most of it lies in the symbolism behind is "pig head". We really only get that he was cursed with it somehow after "failing" at a mission. Perhaps a lot of this is me seeing a bit of myself in the role.
I do have this nasty tendency to screw something up and never be able to forgive myself for it, and a lot of this has to do with Porco being an overall good guy who dwells on something bad in his past. However, a lot of his "pig-headed" symbolism does happen to come from his remarkably sexist ways as well, which is something I don't THINK I have working against me.
But beyond any type of symbolism this film has going for it, it's also a bit of a comedy, and there's quite a few good, laugh out loud moments within the film. It's a good balance of humor and drama. And if you really like Ghibli's flying animation, this is a good place to go for it.
I do have this nasty tendency to screw something up and never be able to forgive myself for it, and a lot of this has to do with Porco being an overall good guy who dwells on something bad in his past. However, a lot of his "pig-headed" symbolism does happen to come from his remarkably sexist ways as well, which is something I don't THINK I have working against me.
But beyond any type of symbolism this film has going for it, it's also a bit of a comedy, and there's quite a few good, laugh out loud moments within the film. It's a good balance of humor and drama. And if you really like Ghibli's flying animation, this is a good place to go for it.
#02 - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
On a personal level, my #02 spot really is a flip of the coin between this and 'Porco Rosso'. However, 'Kaguya' wins for the specific reason that it's far more traditionally Japanese with it's style of animation and story telling.
There's a certain authenticity to this film that no other Ghibli film really has, and it's more or less what I wanted to see out of this collection, as opposed to the more common typical anime style. It's the animated version of a story from Japanese folklore ('The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter')
Another thing to appreciate about this is that it covers the traditions of being forced into becoming a princess, and all the stress that comes with it; often it gets a bit harsh with it. This is no Disney princess movie.
Above all else, though, the charm lies in the strong female character that is Kaguya. She can be a bit of an eye-opener to those men who are a bit blinded by beauty, and that's something to appreciate.
There's a certain authenticity to this film that no other Ghibli film really has, and it's more or less what I wanted to see out of this collection, as opposed to the more common typical anime style. It's the animated version of a story from Japanese folklore ('The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter')
Another thing to appreciate about this is that it covers the traditions of being forced into becoming a princess, and all the stress that comes with it; often it gets a bit harsh with it. This is no Disney princess movie.
Above all else, though, the charm lies in the strong female character that is Kaguya. She can be a bit of an eye-opener to those men who are a bit blinded by beauty, and that's something to appreciate.
#01 - Princess Mononoke
If there was any movie in the list that totally caught me off guard with it's epicness, it was this one.
Of all the Ghibli movies, this would be the one I would rush to the theater to see, if ever provided the big-screen opportunity. It just has so much working for it, not the least of which is a very well-done story line between, not so much good an evil, but two opposing sides. It's like the 'Civil War' of the Ghibli collection.
Beyond that, the film looks incredible with it's overall breathtaking animation, it has an amazing soundtrack, a solid English dub, and an almost surprising amount of violence. They just weren't messing around when it came to making this one.
If I could highly recommend any Ghibli film to a mass audience who may just be warming up to anime, it would have to be this one.
Of all the Ghibli movies, this would be the one I would rush to the theater to see, if ever provided the big-screen opportunity. It just has so much working for it, not the least of which is a very well-done story line between, not so much good an evil, but two opposing sides. It's like the 'Civil War' of the Ghibli collection.
Beyond that, the film looks incredible with it's overall breathtaking animation, it has an amazing soundtrack, a solid English dub, and an almost surprising amount of violence. They just weren't messing around when it came to making this one.
If I could highly recommend any Ghibli film to a mass audience who may just be warming up to anime, it would have to be this one.