Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, two animators, formed Studio Ghibli in 1985. Since then, the company has created 22 animated films. In the year they were released, the majority of Studio Ghibli movies dominated the Japanese box office.
The works of Studio Ghibli have won a great deal of recognition from critics and experts in the field of animation. Their movies have been a huge cultural phenomenon.
We are here to rate their top movies, that have made viewers emotional and in awe, and that have depicted human emotions and feelings to the fullest.
So keep scrolling until you reached the end!
What is Studio Ghibli?
Studio Ghibli, Inc. is a Japanese animation studio situated in Tokyo’s Koganei neighborhood.
It is primarily known for its animated feature films, but it has also produced a number of short subjects, television advertisements, and two television films. Totoro, a huge spirit inspired by raccoon dogs (tanuki) and cats from the 1988 anime film My Neighbor Totoro, is its mascot and most known symbol. Spirited Away (2001), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), and Ponyo (2006) are among the studio’s highest-grossing films (2008).
After acquiring Topcraft’s assets, directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, as well as producer Toshio Suzuki, created the company on June 15, 1985.
What is Studio Ghibli known for?
Studio Ghibli is a well-known Japanese animation film studio constructed in 1985 by animators and filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata Isao, as well as producer Suzuki Toshio.
Studio Ghibli is well-available for its high-quality filmmaking and artwork. Its feature films received both critical and popular acclaim, impacting other animation studios. Tokyo is the headquarters.
Kaze no tani no Naushika (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), Miyazaki’s second screenplay, was released in 1984 and was based on his own successful manga strip. The following year, Miyazaki, Takahata, and Suzuki founded Studio Ghibli. Tenk no shiro Rapyuta was the first authorized Studio Ghibli release (1986; Castle in the Sky).
Top Studio Ghibli Movies
Here’s a list of the best Studio Ghibli movies:
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- Only Yesterday (1991)
- Ponyo (2008)
- The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
- Castle in the Sky (1986)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Years after the nuclear war, A small kingdom called the Valley of the Wind, ruled by King Jil, struggles to survive as the locals fight off the enormous Ohmu and harmful plants that live outside the valley in the Sea of Decay.
Jil’s daughter and heir apparent, Princess Nausicaä, tries to comprehend and believes it’s incorrect to destroy the toxic jungle. The Tolmekian people assaulted the valley to use the most powerful warriors who launched the Holocaust to eradicate the Sea of Decay.
After being imprisoned, Nausicaa manages to escape and travel beneath the Sea of Decay, where she learns that the deadly plants are removing radiation and pollutants from the air, not harming it. Risking everything she joins the Ohmu to stop the Tolmekian.
Only Yesterday (1991)
Taeko Okajima, an unmarried working lady, makes her first prolonged vacation outside of Tokyo when she visits her sister’s family in rural Yamagata during the yearly safflower harvest.
Taeko imagines her childhood self while taking the train. As her vacation goes on, she experiences extensive memories of the hardships and little joys of her upbringing. She considers if little Taeko would have preferred her stressful adult existence.
Ponyo (2008)
A princess from Sea meets a human boy called Sosuke while on a trip to the surface world, Sosuke names her the Ponyo.
Ponyo yearns to be human, and as her connection with Sosuke deepens, so does her resemblance to a human. When her father returns to their ocean realm, Ponyo’s desire to live on land is so great that she manages to break free and threaten Sosuke’s village by spilling several magical potions.
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
Arrietty, a young little girl, lives with her parents in a basement apartment.
Like other members of her species, Arrietty hides from her human hosts but periodically emerges from under the floor to take necessities like sugar cubes.
However, when Shawn befriends Arrietty, they develop a caring bond, but this bond may become dangerous for Arrietty’s family.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
A group of air pirates commanded by Dola assault the plane carrying the orphan Sheeta and her abductor, Col. Muska, as they make their way to jail.
Sheeta befriends another orphan Pazu after using a magical gem around her neck to avoid a midair collision. The two work together to explore the mysterious city of Laputa while being followed by both Muska and pirates who are after the city’s wealth of riches.
Spirited Away (2001)
Chihiro, 10, and her parents discover what appears to be a deserted amusement park.
After discovering that her parents have been transformed into enormous pigs, Chihiro encounters Haku, who informs her that the park is a getaway for supernatural beings seeking a pause from their time spent in the mortal realm and that she must work there to liberate herself and her parents.
Is this worth watching? Find out in this article that I have written.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
As their mother recovers from an illness at a nearby hospital, Satsuke, and Mei, their younger sister, move live with their father in an ancient rural house.
The girls meet and make friends with funny spirits as they explore their new residence and the neighboring forest, most notably Totoro, a huge, fluffy creature.
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
Okina, an old farmer, finds a strange bamboo stalk deep inside a bamboo forest. From within, a tiny fairy-like creature dressed in a regal gown emerges before his eyes.
The elderly guy hurries to his wife Ona without hesitation, only to be shocked to see the small nymph change into a baby.
Kaguya is her name. Five wealthy men from elite families propose to Kaguya when she’s an adult. Kaguya requests the men to locate special wedding presents for her, but the five men are unable to fulfill her request.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
The American bombing raids during World War II separate two children from their families.
Seita, a teenager, is tasked with caring for his younger sister Setsuko. Their story is both painful and realistic. The siblings depend entirely on one another and fight bravely to survive and be united with their family.
Here’s a video about top 10 Studio Ghibli movies:
Where To Watch?
Here’s where you can watch your favorite movies:
| Movies | Where to watch |
| Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) | Netflix |
| Only Yesterday (1991) | Netflix |
| Ponyo (2008) | Netflix |
| The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) | Netflix |
| Castle in the Sky (1986) | Netflix |
| Spirited Away (2001) | Netflix |
| My Neighbor Totoro (1988) | Netflix |
| The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) | Netflix |
| Grave of the Fireflies (1988) | Vudu |
Conclusion
- Studio Ghibli has been one of the most influential, if not the most influential Anime animation studio ever.
- The studio has created masterpieces from time to time, that have an amazing storyline that captivates the viewer’s attention.
- The Grave of the Fireflies (1988) and Spirited Away (2001) have been the most influential with numerous awards and box office success.
- In my view, The Grave of the Fireflies is without a doubt the best film the studio has ever produced. The movie has illustrated a great range of emotions, primarily, grief and sadness.
- It demonstrates the love of a brother for his sister and his attempts at their survival.
Other Articles
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- Dubbed Anime: Is it The Best Way to Watch Anime?
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