The world of animation is a fascinating place held up by the pillars of imagination. When someone hears the word, animation, do images of Disney or Pixar movies flood your mind? Does the nostalgia transport you back to your first movie (Snow White) and first song you learned (how does she talk to to those birds?)? The reason why I'm even talking about animated movies in the first place is because of stigma. There is a stigma that the targeted audience of animation, in general, is for kids. There's nothing wrong with that, but that statement generalizes and stereotypes ALL animated movies which isn't right.Which brings me to...Studio Ghibli.
Studio Ghibli animated movies break the stereotypes of Western Animation-animated movies are mainly for kids- and Eastern Animation-animation expressions have to overly expressive, use of fanservice, etc- simultaneously. I didn't grow up watching their movies nor have I watched all of their productions, but from the movies I have watched, the movie soundtracks I've heard, trailer's I have seen, and numerous articles I've read I think it's safe to say the uniqueness of Studio Ghibli cannot be overstated.
So here are only the top 10 reasons why you should watch a Studio Ghibli movie:
1) The characters run the story. There are no "good" or "evil" characters. There are only humans built on shades of gray.
2) It's not just for kids. The movies are something adults will want to invest their time in rather than watching it for the sake of watching it with their niece or daughter.
3) The animation. See examples below! It's amazing, realistic, and fantastical all at the same time <3
4) The music. Joe Hisashi is comparable to Hans Zimmerman. The music is made for the movie and if you're listening to the songs on shuffle, you can pick out this movie is for this song by the way sound feels. The music is an essential part of the Studio Ghibli package experience.
5) The nostalgia. No matter which movie you watch, the mannerisms of the characters, the setting, the plot situation, whatever it is will have an inkling of semblance to your own life. It is so easy to imagine yourself in the movie.
6) The life lessons you learn aren't always so clear. A person doesn't live from A-Z stepping up a life lesson each way, but they are imbued in the movies as a natural part of characterization rather than the end goal.
7) The endings. In a Disney or Pixar movie, a happy ending is the staple, the expected, and what is gifted to the audience on a yearly basis. However, a Studio Ghibli movie is not always served on a platter satisfying. It's thoughtful and intended.
8) The connection between the creator and the audience. One of the main creative minds of Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, expresses his own political and religious views in his movies like environmentalism, anti-war sentiments, the spirtual balance of nature and humans,etc... This connection strengthens an audience's understanding of the movie and the person who made it.
9) The balance of emotions and genres. It's impossible to characterize any Ghibli movie
to one genre (i.e. romance, action, comedy) or an emotion (i.e. lighthearted or emotional af). There's always a little bit of everything. The comedy never overstays its welcome nor does the seriousness.
10)The plot. The plot isn't very complicated most of the time, but like I said before the characters run the plot and therefore each Studio Ghibli is a journey the audience takes with the character. At the end of the movie, the gray character doesn't become necessarily "good" or "evil", but they have come to terms with the world around them.
*11-the worlds. The setting and the world building in each Studio Ghibli movies makes it an immersive movie experience. (I couldn't even keep it to 10!)
I would suggest watching the Oscar Winning, Spirited Away, as your first venture into Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki land, but personally I don't think it matters. I watched Princess Mononoke first, then Howl's Moving Castle, and then From Up on Poppy Hill, and the rest is history.
Studio Ghibli animated movies break the stereotypes of Western Animation-animated movies are mainly for kids- and Eastern Animation-animation expressions have to overly expressive, use of fanservice, etc- simultaneously. I didn't grow up watching their movies nor have I watched all of their productions, but from the movies I have watched, the movie soundtracks I've heard, trailer's I have seen, and numerous articles I've read I think it's safe to say the uniqueness of Studio Ghibli cannot be overstated.
So here are only the top 10 reasons why you should watch a Studio Ghibli movie:
1) The characters run the story. There are no "good" or "evil" characters. There are only humans built on shades of gray.
2) It's not just for kids. The movies are something adults will want to invest their time in rather than watching it for the sake of watching it with their niece or daughter.
3) The animation. See examples below! It's amazing, realistic, and fantastical all at the same time <3
4) The music. Joe Hisashi is comparable to Hans Zimmerman. The music is made for the movie and if you're listening to the songs on shuffle, you can pick out this movie is for this song by the way sound feels. The music is an essential part of the Studio Ghibli package experience.
5) The nostalgia. No matter which movie you watch, the mannerisms of the characters, the setting, the plot situation, whatever it is will have an inkling of semblance to your own life. It is so easy to imagine yourself in the movie.
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| Spirited Away |
7) The endings. In a Disney or Pixar movie, a happy ending is the staple, the expected, and what is gifted to the audience on a yearly basis. However, a Studio Ghibli movie is not always served on a platter satisfying. It's thoughtful and intended.
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| Princess Mononoke |
9) The balance of emotions and genres. It's impossible to characterize any Ghibli movie
to one genre (i.e. romance, action, comedy) or an emotion (i.e. lighthearted or emotional af). There's always a little bit of everything. The comedy never overstays its welcome nor does the seriousness.
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| The Wind Rises |
I would suggest watching the Oscar Winning, Spirited Away, as your first venture into Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki land, but personally I don't think it matters. I watched Princess Mononoke first, then Howl's Moving Castle, and then From Up on Poppy Hill, and the rest is history.
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| From Howl's Moving Castle |
