Studio Ghibli
Without any doubt, I can say that you all agree that Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghible produced the finest anime motion pictures ever! So the news that they are shutting down has shocked and saddened us all

What are your favorites?

Mine are:

1. Spirited away (of course, God what an epic) I put this equally on the same level as Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa as two of the finest films ever made. The story of Chihiro was so inspiring, I've watched this 100's of times and never get bored of it.

2.Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata. Just so heartbreaking, yet so compelling. An anti war story without match (Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola doesn't come close)

3. Howls Moving Castle. Imagine the most colorful and best dream you have ever had, and here you have it. Glorious coloring, sensational artwork and a unique plot.

4. Porko Rosso, Fun, funny and more fun. Miyazaki is renowned for his flying scenes and he gives color and light to every one.

5. The Wind Rises. Speaking of flying this takes it to a new level ... Miyazaki's final film, just so sad he has retired. A beautiful romance between Jiro and Naoko is heartbreaking yet in it's early stages, funny and lovely.

Interested in your thoughts, what are your faves?
Only Yesterday (btw: It was not originally released in the US, my copy I bought from the UK - According to wikipedia, it WAS finally released in the US in 2016 - 25 years later)
Kiho said:
Only Yesterday (btw: It was not originally released in the US, my copy I bought from the UK - According to wikipedia, it WAS finally released in the US in 2016 - 25 years later)
Only Yesterday was fabulous, another brilliant film by Isao Takahata.

It's a bit sad that it wasn't released earlier in the US. Disney acquired the rights to release and translate all the Ghibli movies in August 1996 with the exception of 'Only Yesterday'. Apparently a British company got the rights to 'Only Yesterday' first, then Disney finally bought them out.

I must say that, on behalf of my grand kids "Ponyo" is the one I love to watch with them, it's their favorite movie, the US translation is great and features such voice actors as Liam Neeson, Cate Blanchet, Matt Damon and Noah Cyrus ..what a cast!!!
Grave of the Fireflies was heart rending.

Princess Mononoke might be my favorite. Might be. Besides the struggle between civilization and nature, it also showed the restlessness of nature and its protective "nature". I really didn't think much of it at the time, but it was quite clear nevertheless.
Hm well that's hard to tell.
There are many of them I didn't saw yet, but I would say Princess Mononoke for the moment. But could be changing. :3
I still need to watch a lot of their movies. And rewatch a few that I can't quite remember, like Mononoke.

I remember, years and years ago, Cartoon Network (in the US) did something they were calling "A Month of Miyazaki" where, every Saturday night, they'd play a different Studio Ghibli movie. I think that was the first time I saw any of those films.

My all time favorites are Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. I've seen them both several different times. Spirited Away is just so beautiful. They both made me cry. I remember crying when Chihiro was told to not look back as she was leaving. Howl's Moving Castle made me cry because it's just a hell of a love story. I cried when Howl went all crow and was protecting Sophie. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.

NOW. I liked Grave of the Fireflies but by god that was the most depressing animated thing I have ever seen in my life. It made me cry a whole lot too, but those were pure tears of sadness.
eclimial said:
It's a bit sad that it wasn't released earlier in the US. Disney acquired the rights to release and translate all the Ghibli movies in August 1996 with the exception of 'Only Yesterday'. Apparently a British company got the rights to 'Only Yesterday' first, then Disney finally bought them out.
Actually, Disney refused Only Yesterday because it thought the part where the little girls discussed menstruation was too racy for a Disney Movie at that time. The British company then picked up the film.
Kiho said:
Actually, Disney refused Only Yesterday because it thought the part where the little girls discussed menstruation was too racy for a Disney Movie at that time. The British company then picked up the film.
Thank you Kiho, I checked and your absolutely correct, I should have checked my facts before I posted, sorry 'bout that.

Even though I'm not from the US, John Lassiter (head of Pixar, also a Disney company) is a hero for me as he was instrumental in bringing Ghibli to the West and arranging great dubs and excellent translations.

Lassiter is a great friend of Miyazaki, and sort of worships him. LOL

If it's permisable, I would love to share a few, very short documentaries about the dubing from Japanese to English, which featue an increble array of actors that show real respect for Miyazaki san.

1. The making of Spirited Way (watch part 2 also)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ7ymWBf7XE

2. The making of Porko Rosso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMIDDkW_giU

3. The making of Totoro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcMwpNidCYM

4. The making of Ponyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RWW1QFkK_o

5. The Making of Nausicaa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnNhsD_Q0Rw

6. The Making of Castle In The Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEmYNgus2os

7. Interview with Joseph Gordon-Levitt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hkczJd-SMY

And finally a beautiiful tribute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3_XCQ09f-Q
Hey I'm not sure they're the best ever, I mean what about Akira?? It sticks with me just as well.

But yeah they are sure the reigning champs in many ways... My favorite is probably Spirited Away.

I have a tattoo of No Face, dunno if I've ever shared that info here lol but I do have one ;_; lol
I have a tattoo of No Face, dunno if I've ever shared that info here lol but I do have one ;_; lol
Awesome!! Since we're sharing tattoos I have one of Chihiro on my upper arm, based on this image of her:

Chihiro

It's the only tattoo I have and Spirited Away is my favorite movie of all time!

Also I agree, although it's not a Ghibli film, Akira was brilliant!
eclimial said:
Awesome!! Since we're sharing tattoos I have one of Chihiro on my upper arm, based on this image of her:

Chihiro

It's the only tattoo I have and Spirited Away is my favorite movie of all time!

Also I agree, although it's not a Ghibli film, Akira was brilliant!
Cool :D I've seen a few Ghibli tattoo around, the girl who inspired me to get one had a Totoro tattoo.

Now I want to watch one of the movies as we own most of them haha.