Studio Ghibli Flims to Help You Escape Reality

Jun 2

Jun 2 Studio Ghibli Flims to Help You Escape Reality

What’s not to love about Studio Ghibli movies? They’re filled with breathtaking animations, delightful soundtracks, lovable and well-developed characters, and intriguing plots. The films don’t shy away from addressing serious issues, but they remain infused with a childlike sense of wonder and a glorification of everyday beauty, which we could certainly use right now. Even if you didn’t grow up watching them, they have the ability to instantaneously transport you back to your childhood. With diverse storylines covering themes of romance, coming-of-age, and war, there’s something for everybody to enjoy. While Studio Ghibli movies are enjoyable anytime, I would especially recommend them right now, as they can provide a much-needed sense of escapism and comfort during these uncertain times.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988), dir. Hayao Miyazaki

My Neighbor Totoro is perhaps the most universally beloved Studio Ghibli film. Its titular character, forest spirit Totoro, is not only one of the most popular and recognizable animated characters of all time, but has also come to represent Studio Ghibli as a whole. The film follows the lives of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the Japanese countryside with their father in order to be closer to the hospital where their ill mother resides.

The girls face great uncertainty due to their mother’s health, but they find comfort in the form of characters such as Totoro and the Catbus, a giant bus-shaped cat. Upon watching My Neighbor Totoro, it’s not difficult to understand the movie’s long-lasting popularity. The human characters are given a commendable degree of characterization, and the forest creatures are all lovably adorable. This film is a perfect whimsical delight and is certain to bring you great joy while watching.

Whisper of the Heart (1995), dir. Yoshifumi Kondo

This is, in my opinion, the most underrated Studio Ghibli film. It’s generally overlooked in favor of the other Studio Ghibli movies, perhaps due to its lack of fantastical elements. But, it has some of the best storytelling of any Studio Ghibli film and features truly stunning animated hilltop views of Tokyo. Whisper of the Heart stars junior high student Shizuku, who loves reading fantasy novels. She longs for an adventure of her own. A series of intriguing events help give her this adventure she so desires.

Shizuku discovers that most of her library books were all previously checked out by the same person, a boy named Seiji Amasawa. One day, on her way to the library, she follows a cat she meets on the subway into an antique store run by a kindly grandfather. Meanwhile, she must deal with her changing feelings toward a mysterious classmate. These occurrences all converge into a beautiful coming-of-age romance. Shizuku is an incredibly well-written character who is immensely relatable, and whose emotions are conveyed in a moving manner.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a Studio Ghibli classic. It’s the story of Kiki, a 13-year-old witch who, following tradition, leaves home to train as a witch. Her new home is a beautiful coastal town, where she moves in with a bakery owner and starts her own delivery service. As to be expected, Kiki initially has great difficulties settling into her new life and struggles with feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. As college students, we may be a bit older than Kiki, but her journey toward independence is a highly relatable and heartwarming one. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a fantastic movie about the struggles and joys of growing up.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Howl’s Moving Castle deals with themes of war, age, and love in an incredibly vivid and imaginative manner. Protagonist Sophie, a young hatter, is transformed into a 90-year-old woman through a witches curse. While seeking a cure, she ends up living in the magical moving castle of Howl, a notorious wizard. Howl’s castle is also home to Markl, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer, a sarcastic fire demon. Howl’s Moving Castle features a colorful array of characters, whose relationships (as well as the stunning landscape animations) are what really allow the film to shine. These characters are voiced in the English dub by an all-star cast, including Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal, and Josh Hutcherson.

Spirited Away (2001) dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Spirited Away is one of Studio Ghibli’s best-received films. Elements of magic and fantasy are especially prevalent here, even when compared to the studio’s other movies. 10-year-old Chihiro finds her parents transformed into pigs after they stop by an abandoned amusement park on the way to their new home. To save her parents, Chihiro must work for a malicious witch who runs a bathhouse. Chihiro encounters a number of lively spirits, including the incredibly popular character No-Face. The soundtrack for Spirited Away is truly incredible and makes the movie worth the watch.

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