Best Studio Ghibli Movies
"With its epic story and breathtaking visuals, Princess Mononoke is a landmark in the world of animation."
While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a deadly curse. To find the cure that will save his life, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest Spirit's realm where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolves. It's not long before Ashitaka is caught in the middle of a battle between iron-ore prospecting humans and the forest dwellers. He must summon the spirit-powers and all his courage to stop man and nature from destroying each other.
"Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and gorgeously drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers a little more curious and fascinated by the world around them."
Chihiro thinks she is on another boring trip with her parents. But when they stop at a village that is not all that it seems, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits, shape-shifting dragons and a witch who never wants to see her leave. She must call on the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world.
"Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well."
Sophie, an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. After this chance meeting she is turned into a 90-year old woman by the vain and conniving Witch of the Waste. Embarking on an incredible adventure to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer. As the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, and his relationship with Sophie deepens, our young grey heroine finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world.
"My Neighbor Totoro is a heartwarming, sentimental masterpiece that captures the simple grace of childhood."
Two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, have moved with their father into a new home in the country, while their mother recovers from illness in a nearby hospital. To their surprise, they soon discover that they share this home with some rather unusual creatures and even stranger neighbours - forest guardians that the girls dub Totoro. When trouble occurs, their new friends will help them rediscover hope.
5. Kiki's Delivery Service
"Kiki's Delivery Service is a heartwarming, gorgeously-rendered tale of a young witch discovering her place in the world."
It is tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon to learn their craft. That night comes for Kiki, who follows her dream and embarks on the experience of a lifetime. With her chatty black cat, Jiji, she flies off to find the perfect spot in a faraway city. There, a bakery owner befriends Kiki and helps her start her own business: A high-flying delivery service.
"With a storytelling palette as rich and brilliant as its animation, Castle in the Sky thrillingly encapsulates Studio Ghibli's unique strengths."
Pazu, an engineer's apprentice finds a young girl, Sheeta floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Together they discover both are searching for the legendary floating castle Laputa and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around her neck. Their quest won't be easy however. There are air pirates, secret agents and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth - and from each other.
"beautiful and evocative; a fine tale of adolescent yearning and aspiration."
Shizuku Tsukishima is a bit of a book-worm, spending her last summer vacation in junior high school reading and translating popular foreign music into Japanese. With aspirations to one day become a writer, Shizuku can't help but notice that the name Seiji Amasawa appears on every one of the books she borrows from the library. Through a series of curious and magical incidents, she comes to meet Seiji and discovers he has dreams of becoming a famous violinmaker in Italy. While their life-long goals pull them in two different directions, Shizuku and Seiji are determined to remain true to their strong feelings for one another.
8. Grave of the Fireflies
"An achingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli's most profoundly beautiful, haunting works."
Japan, World War 2. Teenage boy Seita and his young sister Setsuko are left homeless and effectively orphaned when their city is firebombed by US bombers. They end up living with an aunt. Initially things go well and life seems almost normal again. However, their relationship with their aunt deteriorates and Seita and Setsuko decide to leave and fend for themselves. They find a place and things seem to be going well. However, over time food gets scarcer and life becomes a constant struggle for survival.
"Ponyo is a visually stunning fairy tale that's a sweetly poetic treat for children of all ages."
One morning near his seaside home, five year old Sosuke discovers a goldfish he names Ponyo, her head stuck in a jam jar. He rescues her, and fascinated with each other, they promise to stay firm friends. When Ponyo's father, a powerful underwater sorcerer, forces her to return to the ocean depths, Ponyo is determined to join Sosuke on the surface and become human. What follows is an amazing underwater adventure for all ages.
"Mr. Miyazaki renders Jiro’s life and dreams with lyrical elegance and aching poignancy."
Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, he becomes one of the world's most accomplished airplane designers, experiencing key historical events in an epic tale of love, perseverance and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.
theartofmadeline
yousharknotpass
pixelskylines
amandla
gummygunk
prguitarman
jacobvanloon
kianamaiart
