Studio Ghibli It is one of the few that can rival Disney in terms of number of animated films, at least in terms of artistic quality. Japanese company led by Eternal Hayao Miyazaki premiere of his new film in cinemas, Boy and heron, a review of which we have already shared with you. The film was supposed to be a farewell for the veteran filmmaker, although at 82 he has finally found inspiration for another project. And the whole point is that without it, Japanese cinema and the animation industry cannot be understood.
Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 with Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. A year before this, their joint premiere took place. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and after success they decided to create a company. Through their efforts, they have taken animation to the next level. In fact, they have six of the top ten highest-grossing anime films produced in Japan. In addition, they were nominated for an Oscar more than once and even won a statuette. For this reason, we have collected five irreplaceable films from the studio, with which you can plunge into the fantastic stories of these unique creators.
Spirited Away
When we talk about Studio Ghibli, we’re talking about Spirited Away. This 2001 film is the pinnacle of the company’s creativity. Script writer and director Miyazaki, has accumulated more than thirty awards. Among them is the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, the only anime film to achieve this in history. And the film is considered one of the best films of all time. It contains countless elements of Japanese mythology and culture, intertwined in a fantastical tone of self-discovery of the young protagonist as she moves into the next stage of her life.
Spirited Away follows the young woman who gives the film its title as she moves to another city with her parents. She’s upset about the change, but just accepts it. His parents take a shortcut by car and find themselves in front of a strange tunnel. After crossing it, they discover an abandoned city. On the way, they come to a stall with food, but there is no one to serve it. Parents Chihiro They stop eating because they have money to pay for it. Meanwhile, she continues to explore the mysterious place while the young man Haku, convinces him to pick up his parents and urgently leave before nightfall. The sun begins to set, and it is then that the girl realizes that they have entered the spirit world, which she will gradually begin to discover around the giant bathhouse.
Princess Mononoke
If there is a film that can compete Spirited Away inside Studio Ghibli, that is Princess Mononoke. In fact, this is the immediately preceding entry Miyazaki, who was experiencing his golden period as a filmmaker at the time. The story takes place in medieval Japan and, again, has a strong fantasy tone. On this occasion, instead of talking about maturity, one of the most beautiful naturalistic messages ever released in a cinema is launched. The film was released in 1997 and its success was such that it became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, surpassing Titanic. This is a film full of epic and deep love for the forest and its inhabitants.
Princess Mononoke continue the adventure Ashitaka, the last prince of Emishi, who frees his people from the attack of a formidable demon. But after killing him, he discovers that he was actually the boar god. naked, which was damaged. During the battle, the young man received a wound from which the same curse passed on to him, so he has to go on a long journey to recover. On his journey, he discovers a war between the iron city and the forest gods, angered by the indiscriminate cutting down of trees and mining. A princess stands at the edge of the forest Mononokewho lives next to a pack of dire wolves.
moving castle
moving castle After the previous two films, it has the honor of being Studio Ghibli’s best fantasy film. The premiere took place in 2004, and again it’s work Miyazaki. This time the director focused on very social issues, especially pacifism in relation to the war in Iraq. But it also talks about old age and women’s empowerment. This is a very complex film and sensational visuals. She was again nominated for an Oscar, although she lost it Wallace and Gromit: The Vegetable Curse.
Plot moving castle follow Sophiea young hatter who received a curse from Witch of the Waste, making her a 90-year-old woman. To try to get rid of the spell, contact a magician howl and his moving castle. In turn, the country goes to war and the king calls howl fight alongside your troops. He refuses to come though Sophie You will soon discover that he is actually much more involved than he appears. Therefore, he will have to help his friend, as well as the rest of the inhabitants of the castle.
My Neighbor Totoro
The previous four films are arguably the best from Studio Ghibli. However, there is a much simpler option, but it cannot be omitted from any list due to its historical importance. That is My Neighbor Totoroagain Miyazaki. This giant and adorable forest spirit captured the hearts of all children in 1988 and became the company logo. This is a much more children’s film, with less reading, but very friendly and warm. It talks about family relationships and managing difficult situations from a childhood perspective.
Main characters My Neighbor Totoro are May And Satsuki, two sisters aged four and eleven. Together with their father, they move into a house to be closer to the hospital where their mother, who is sick with tuberculosis, is staying. Over there, May meets the forest spirits known as Totoro. The largest of them, gray in color, became friends with the girl, and later with her sister. The bond between the baby and the sisters becomes very strong as they spend time together eagerly awaiting news of their mother’s recovery.
Grave of the Fireflies
The last film on the list is radically different from the previous ones. Grave of the Fireflies This is the only film in this ranking that was not directed by MiyazakiBut Isao Takahata. The premiere took place in 1988, I think My Neighbor Totoro, and thus it focuses on the relationship between two brothers. But this Ghibli film is not a beautiful and kind story, it is much more complex and heartbreaking. And even today it is one of the best anti-war films of all time. A desperate cry against war and in search of peace.
Plot Grave of the Fireflies Starring two brothers seita And Setsukoliving in Kobe in 1945. One day the American army bombs the place and turns it into an absolute hell. seita, fourteen years old, his mission is to take care of his little five-year-old sister. Both must get to the bunker, where their mother is waiting for them. But the bombs destroy the entire city, so they cannot arrive on time. Fortunately, they were not injured. Then begins an impossible journey as they try to survive the fateful final days of World War II together.
Source: Hiper Textual
