I went to the Studio Ghibli exhibition in Singapore early this month.
Here, I would like to introduce what I think is the attractiveness of Ghibli anime and the Ghibli anime that I recommend in a ranking format with some beautiful photos. Guess which seane in the movie as well.
What is Ghibli?
Some people may not know about Studio Ghibli, but they may know characters like Totoro and Nausicaa. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese anime production company that has produced many masterpieces, led by director Hayao Miyazaki. His works have been praised all over the world for their beautiful scenery, realistic portraits with great attention to detail, and heart-warming Japanese delicacy. Representative works include “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind,” “Princess Mononoke,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”etc.
What is the attractiveness of Ghibli?
So, what is the attractiveness of Ghibli’s anime works? Here, I would like to share my thoughts on the three main attractions.
① Deals with themes that are universal to humanity
It deals with themes that are universal not only to Japan, but also to humanity and the world, such as the coexistence of humanity and nature, war and peace, and human desire. This is expressed through delicate animation, unique characters, and stories. However, it seems that the author does not necessarily provide a clear answer to the theme, but rather makes the viewer feel and think. Therefore, each time you watch the same anime, you have the opportunity to make new discoveries and think about it, making the content enjoyable not only for children but also for adults.
② Delicate animation and music
Tens or hundreds of thousands of extremely delicate hand-drawn animations are layered on top of each other, so you’ll never get tired of watching them. If you look closely at every corner of the screen, you’ll notice that it’s rendered with great attention to detail.
Music that matches the theme of the work also plays an important role. Just by listening to the music, I can immediately tell which piece it is from, and I can immediately picture the description in my head. The music is mainly composed by Joe Hisaishi, and there are also orchestral concerts featuring Ghibli music.
Recommended ranking
I think I have given you a ranking of the five Ghibli works that I recommend.
Recommended for both children and adults.
You’ll discover new things by watching it over and over again, so even if you’ve seen it before, we recommend watching it again. Of course, different people will have different favorite works. Which is your favorite work? Let me know in the comments section.
5th place: Porco Rosso (1992)
I remember going to the movie theater with my friends to see this movie when I was in junior high school.
The main character Porco Rosso’s line, “A pig who can’t fly is just a pig!” is very famous.
The world view and the unique atmosphere of chanson music are addictive and fun.
4th place: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
This work is a must-see for children, and it is also a must-see for adults who are busy with work and other tasks.
When you see this work, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time to when you were a child. It depicts the scenery of the Japanese countryside, but I think there are similar living spaces where humans are one with nature in rural areas around the world. Totoro is a fairy who lives in the forest and can only be seen by children. If you watch this work, you too will be able to experience those original experiences as a child. In addition, unique and cute characters such as “Nekobus (cat bus)” and “Makkurokurosuke (round black charcoal fairy)” appear, and when you see them, your heart becomes warm and your heart is filled with smiles.
That’s probably true.
3rd place: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
A work based on the theme of coexistence between humanity and nature. Anime Books are also published, so if you’re interested, please check that out as well. The story, the characters including Nausicaa, the music, all of them are the best.
2nd place: Spirited Away (2001)
A work that depicts family love, the importance of moving forward, and human greed.
Recently, I saw news in the UK that the drama of “Spirited Away” won the Award for BEST NEW PLAY at the “WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS”, a historic British theater award. This work is still loved all over the world. No matter how many times I watch it, I never get tired of it, and the theme song is amazing.
1st place: Princess Mononoke (1997)
First of all, the theme song is amazing.
Also, the story, the depiction of the characters, and the themes it deals with are all excellent.
The movie “Princess Mononoke” was released on July 12, 1997, and was so popular that it became the highest-grossing Japanese movie of all time, and remained at the top for a long time.
Summary
What is your favorite Ghibli work?
Please let me know in the comments section along with your reasons.
The Japanese and English titles are different, so the Japanese and English versions of the main Ghibli titles are listed below.
| 日本語のタイトル Japanese Title | 英語のタイトル English Title |
| となりのトトロ | My Neighbor Totoro |
| 風の谷のナウシカ | Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind |
| 千と千尋の神隠し | Spirited Away |
| もののけ姫 | Princess Mononoke |
| 天空の城ラピュタ | Castle in the Sky |
| 紅の豚 | Porco Rosso |
| 魔女の宅急便 | Kiki’s Delivery Service |
| ハウルの動く城 | Howl’s Moving Castle |
| 崖の上のポニョ | Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea |
| 借りぐらしのアリエッティ | Arrietty |
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