Studio Ghibli’s Creators

Studio Ghibli was founded by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata (along with producer Toshio Suzuki). Both directors grew up in a Japan destroyed by WWII at a time which, according to Takahata, saw Japan move away from the sustainable system it had upheld until then. That being humans living in tune with nature. 

The two began working together in the late 1960s at Toei. After they left they created several works (together and separately) before the formation of Studio Ghibli. Some of which demonstrated a love for nature and/or man’s relationship to nature. Including Panda! Go Panda, Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind among others. 

The two went on to found Studio Ghibli in 1985. With Miyazaki often talking about how nature and humanity are intertwined and Takahata saying that the two creators shared many of the same attitudes regarding politics, it’s easy to see why Ghibli’s output consistently focuses on care for the environment.

Princess Mononoke

One of the works that best exemplifies Studio Ghibli’s environmental themes is Princess Mononoke. This 1997 film tells the story of Prince Ashitaka who, after being banished from his village because of a curse inflicted on him for killing a boar, stumbles into a war between the industrialised Irontown run by Lady Eboshi and the creatures of the forest fronted by a human named San.

Princess Mononoke is not subtle with its pro-environmental message. The central conflict revolves around man’s use of technology to kill and subordinate avatars of the natural world. The film focuses on how constant growth through industrial production and arms manufacturing will destroy the environment. Along with humanity.

Many critics have pointed out nuances within the film. For example, the natural world is portrayed as just as capable of violence as Irontown. There are also divisions on both sides of the conflict regarding how to resolve the fighting. Additionally, the potential for certain useful advancements made by industrialisation is raised.

However, this does not lessen the film’s fierce call for humanity to live in harmony with nature. On the contrary, the use of nuanced characters and storytelling along with natural animation for characters and the environment means the film feels like a more realistic depiction of the world than many others. Animated or live-action. This allows audiences to be engaged not merely politically but emotionally. Through showcasing the fine details Princess Mononoke encourages us to find the best way forward based on empathy for all living things.

Environmentalism in Ghibli’s Filmography

While Princess Mononoke is an oft-cited example of Ghibli’s environmentalism many of their other features have themes relating to nature. Films like My Neighbour Totoro, Only Yesterday, Ponyo and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya showcase a love for living in community with humanity and nature. Grave of the Fireflies, Howl’s Moving Castle and The Wind Rises all contrast the beauty of living in tune with nature to humanity’s use of technology in war. Spirited Away and The Story of Yanagawa Horiwari (Ghibli’s only primarily live-action film) argue for the restoration of clean water. Laputa: Castle In The Sky emphasises the possibility of cooperation between natural preservation and futuristic technology. And Pom Poko is just a flat-out plea for humanity to stop destroying wildlife.

Even films directed by other Ghibli creatives feature at least some form of an environmental message. These include The Red Turtle’s (Michaël Dudok de Wit) look at man’s relationship with animals. As well as When Marnie Was Here (Hiromasa Yonebayashi) emphasising nature’s beauty marching on despite personal tragedy.

Across its 40-year history Studio Ghibli has done a good job at not only recruiting other creators who share Ghibli’s environmental consciousness but also entertaining and inspiring generations of film fans to engage with and think about their relationship to the world around them.

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Today we will provide a guide to ease you into the wonderful world of Ghibli. Firstly we will briefly go through the studio’s history and its founders. We will then review their film’s common styles and themes. Before finally listing the five films we think give the best introduction to the studio’s work.

Ghibli’s History

Directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata along with producer Toshio Suzuki founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 after Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind’s success. The studio’s name came from an Italian word referring to both a hot desert wind and a WWII plane. The name symbolised the impact Miyazaki wanted to make on animation and his love of aircraft.

Ghibli’s first film, 1986’s steampunk favourite Castle in the Sky immediately caught people’s attention. In 1988 the studio produced Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbour Totoro simultaneously. Despite the trying production process for the young studio, both films became instant classics. After 1989’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ghibli brought animators on staff permanently rather than project by project. These animators subsequently worked on Miyazaki’s and Takahata’s features and helped create projects like Ocean Waves and Whisper of the Heart.

In 1996 Ghibli’s parent company, Tokuma Shoten, partnered with Disney (which continued in Ghibli’s independent era). Several of their projects received dubs and higher-profile international distribution, bringing Ghibli’s work more attention. GKIDS acquired the theatrical rights for several Ghibli films in 2011, but Disney handled home media releases until 2017. During this partnership Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, for a time, became the highest-grossing film in Japan. Spirited Away became the first anime film to win the best-animated feature Oscar and the Ghibli Museum opened. Additionally, Hiroyuki Morita, Gorō Miyazaki, and Hiromasa Yonebayashi made their Ghibli debuts.

The studio is currently experiencing a period of change. Isao Takahata passed away in 2018. The studio also released its first entirely CG film and made its entire back catalogue available on streaming for the first time. Hayao Miyazaki is currently working on a new feature but his continual retirement announcements have made many wonder what will happen to Ghibli in the future.

Ghibli’s Style

One thing that sets Ghibli apart is that it mainly sticks to using traditional hand-drawn techniques to realise its films. It uses CG sparingly (aside from Earwig and the Witch). Even the upcoming How Do You Live? uses hand-drawn animation. Making Ghibli an outlier in the modern animation industry.

Ghibli also has many elements and themes that their films continually return to. Including the interaction between humanity and nature, children or young adults coming of age, mundane situations interacting with the fantastical or extraordinary, strong women characters, and an anti-war stance.

Ghibli’s Best

Finally, which Ghibli films provide the best entry point for audiences?

Grave of the Fireflies

Isao Takahata’s first Ghibli film is a heartbreaking story about two children attempting to survive in a world made cruel by war.

My Neighbor Totoro

When a family moves to the countryside their two children discover and begin interacting with woodland spirits. My Neighbor Totoro is the equivalent of an 86-minute warm hug.

Princess Mononoke

The story of a Prince caught in the middle of a war between forest-dwelling spirits, gods and warriors and the technologically advancing humans encroaching on their territory is an exhilarating epic that everyone must see.

Spirited Away

Spirited Away is about Chihiro who begins working at a bath house for spirits and gods while trying to save her parents who were transformed into pigs. A fantastic coming-of-age film and the only anime film to win the best-animated film at the Oscars.

When Marnie Was There

This bittersweet drama is a wonderful supernatural-inflected tale about finding friends and yourself through exploring the past that hits as hard as any live-action drama.

Hopefully, this article has given you enough insight into Studio Ghibli to encourage you to start your Ghibli journey. Enjoy.

Also Read: How Anime Went International

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Classic: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This is the film equivalent of a warm, loving hug. There is nothing I can say about The Wizard of Oz that hasn’t been said a million times. The story of young Dorothy Gale’s (Judy Garland) journey of self-discovery as she is swept away to the land of Oz has inspired many people and continues to inspire many more as years go by. And while it may have its scary parts (The Wicked Witch of the West; her armies of flying monkeys and Winkies continue to scare children to this day) the loveable heroes, beautiful set design, iconic music, and the heart-warming story will ensure that a smile is never far away. If you don’t feel happy inside by the end of the Wizard of Oz, there is something wrong with you.

Documentary: Won’t You Be My Neighbour?

If you need to restore your faith in humanity, this is the film to see. This documentary goes in-depth into the life of children’s TV host Fred Rogers and gives us insight into his world view. How he believed in teaching children about important issues without talking down to them to help them grow and develop into good people. He dealt with topics like the assassination of Robert Kennedy, racism, depression and many other heavy subjects on his show. And the doc even delves into his personal fear that he hadn’t done enough to reach people. It’s a very human portrait of a man who believed in the best of us, which will leave you inspired and much more positive about the world.

Comedy/Drama: Fighting with my Family

The story of Saraya Knight alias Paige (Florence Pugh) and her journey from humble beginnings, wrestling and teaching the sport with her family in Norwich, to WWE Diva’s Champion. Fighting with my Family is a treat for one simple reason, it feels entirely genuine. Everyone can relate to the hardships of trying to chase your dreams and even the hardship of having to give up your dreams for something else, like Paige’s brother Zak (Jack Lowden). And because of that, we route even more for our heroine to succeed. The family dynamic is also tender and affectionate with Nick Frost and Lena Headey providing fantastic turns as Paige’s parents. And a funny bit part for Dwayne Johnson ensures you will come out of the film with a spring in your step.

Animation: My Neighbour Totoro

My Neighbour Totoro is the definition of adorable. Two young girls and their father move to a new house in the countryside while their mother is in hospital. Through a series of chance sightings and some investigating the girls then encounter several woodland spirits. Which includes the eponymous Totoro with whom they proceed to have many adventures. Totoro is a film that is impossible to not love. Showing the world through the eyes of a child, where there is no argument that can’t be solved with kindness and compassion, nothing is ever hopeless, and the world truly is a magical place (coupled with some of the cutest creature designs ever) the film is guaranteed to get you in a good mood.

Netflix Original: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Lara Jean (Lana Condor) has long existed in the margins. Her crush is dating her sister, her former friend is now her worst enemy and her little sister won’t stop criticizing her driving. Her one solace is her letters to all the boys she has had a crush on. Which allows her to get all her feelings out. However, when her letters are sent to her crushes she has to try and fix the problem. And the answer to her problems may lie in her former friend’s ex-boyfriend Peter (Noah Centineo). If you’re looking for a rom-com, full of charming characters, a good sense of humour, a central couple with great chemistry and even a few surprises along the way then do yourself a favour and check out To All the Boys for a reminder of the beauty of young love.

Thus, ends our recommendations list of feel-good film on Netflix. We hope you all enjoy our choices and that they help to add a little joy during this tough time. If you want to recommend any films on Netflix then let us know in the comments.

Also Read: 5 Documentaries To Watch On Netflix

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