Before the world set itself on fire I had planned to spend the majority of June touring Japan. One of the things I was most looking forward to was visiting the Studio Ghibli museum due to my love for the films of the studio. And I am not the only one with this love. Ghibli have managed to become a world-renowned animation studio, being spoken of in the same breath as Disney and Pixar. So seeing as I was unable to get myself to the Ghibli museum I thought I would do the next best thing and watch all the studio's films from front to back then rank them. This is the second time I have watched all these films and I watched them in chronological order just to show you how I went about this. I would also like to say that other than my number one and number twenty-two this list was ridiculously hard to put into an order and I am 100% sure if I was to do this again it would not look the same. So without further ado, here is my ranking of all 22 Studio Ghibli films.
22. Tales From Earthsea (2006)
Dir. Goro Miyazaki
This is the Ghibli film that no one likes. I of course don’t mean that in a literal sense as there are plenty of people who actually like it, but both critical and fan reception of this film is the worst of any film from the studio. There are people who dislike it because of how it strays from the original texts it is based upon. I have not read these texts and so I can’t comment on this, but the other half of people hate it because it strays away from the Ghibli style and this is something I can comment on. The film does indeed feel very different from any other film the studio has made. This isn’t so much in the look of the film as, although slightly different, it still has a similar look to the classic Ghibli style. But the tone and characters of the film are much further away from the Ghibli formula. The film is darker and much more serious than other Ghibli films, and it lacks any of the charm or heart of the other Ghibli films. Narratively I also feel like the film is weak and I was never fully engaged with it. However, I do not think this is a bad film overall. It is not the best and is definitely flawed, but it is not as atrocious as some people think. From a purely visual and animation point of view, the film is well made with some great sequences. Again, they don’t match up to the more revered Ghibli films, but that does not make them bad in their own right. ‘Tales from Earthsea’ is a much weaker film than the majority of the Studio’s other films but it has enough moments in it to make it worth a watch, although it isn’t a film I see myself returning to all that often.
21. Arrietty (2010)
Dir. Hiromasa Yonebayashi
A fair amount of Studio Ghibli’s films are based on already existing material. Usually, it is through Ghibli where I am introduced to these texts, but in the case of ‘Arrietty’, I knew the material beforehand. The film is based on ‘The Borrowers’, which threw me upon first watch. I mean it makes perfect sense that Ghibli would do a film based on ‘The Borrowers’ but it still caught me off guard. Maybe that is why I enjoyed the film much more first time around then second. The film is not bad, not at all, but I feel like the film's visual hooked me enough for me to forget the other aspects of the film first time around. I think pretty is the best way to describe the look of this film. The colours are great and there is so much minute (no pun intended) detail within the film that it is truly a visual treat. I also love the sound design of this film. One scene in particular was a beautiful moment of sound design. The scene is really simple, it is just the human boy, Sho, leaves a sugar cub out for the borrowers. But it is raining while he does this, and the sound of the rain is blissful. I love me some rainy days very much for ASMR reasons, and this film captured that liking beautifully. These aspects of the film do make it a worthwhile watch, even though the narrative is not the most engaging. It isn’t bad, but it also just didn’t keep my attention all that well. I also wish the film went in more on the fact that it is about Borrowers and used their mini stature as a visual device. It does do it occasionally, but I feel like it would be a more fun film if it went in more on this idea. ‘Arrietty’ is a great visual film, so much so that the first time around I thought the film was great. On second watch I feel like it sits more at just a good film. Maybe on my third watch, it will become the greatest film of all time, who knows!
20. My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
Dir. Isao Takahata
This one is a real oddball in the Ghibli canon. As soon as the film starts you immediately feel as though something is different as the overall look and animation style is nothing like what Ghibli had done before. It is a very minimalist visual style with basic shapes used for character designs, dull colours and almost no detail in the scenes. Despite its minimalist nature the visuals of the film are really nice to look at from start to finish and Takahata chooses a lot of creative ways to portray how characters think and feel at given times. It also fits the tone of the film really well, being charming and quaint rather than seriously eye-catching. However, the overall look can’t help the lack of narrative that hinders the film. It is effectively a film where we see a series of comedic scenarios involving the Yamada family. Some are more interesting than others all though they all do have a charm to them. But the issue is there is nothing to really engage with on a story telling basis and so I feel like the film just becomes a bit of a slog. It would be much more effective if it was shorter or if it had some sort of overarching narrative thread running through. As it is though ‘My Neighbors the Yamadas’ is a visually pleasing and charming film which has its moments but is not a film that engaged me and one I don’t see myself returning to anytime soon.
19. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Dir. Isao Takahata
Currently Studio Ghibli’s penultimate film, and what would turn out to be Isao Takahata’s final film, and I want to preface this review by saying I really, really want to love this film. I truly do. This film is honestly gorgeous. Almost everything about it could be described as beautiful. The art style and animation, although very much not quintessential Ghibli, are truly stunning. I was surprised on my second viewing on just how many visual elements of this film had burned themselves into my mind. The amount of still frames that I would happily take from this movie and stick on my wall is ridiculous. But it is not just how the film looks that makes it beautiful. The whole narrative and the themes of the film also play into this beauty, showing humanity in its most pure form, whether that be happy or sad. I also would be a dickhead if I didn’t mention the stellar sound design throughout the film. Whether that be in the ambient noise that gives so much to the environments, or the superb score the people who worked on the sound of this film should all be proper pleased with how it turned out. But here comes the ‘however’. This film is properly slow. It is the longest of any Ghibli film turning out at 2 hours 17 minutes, and it manages to make it feel as though it is 5 hours. You really need to be in the right mood and environment to watch a film like this and I feel that I failed on this front both times, meaning that I find myself checking how long is left on several occasions. Is ‘The Tale of Princess Kaguya’ really deserving of being so low on my list? Honestly no, at least not on purely filmic terms. However, this is a list of my favourites and although this film my be a better ‘film’ than many above it I just enjoy it far less. It is just so damn long…
18. The Cat Returns (2002)
Dir. Hiroyuki Morita
Ghibli’s one and only sequel, and even using the word sequel maybe to strong being more of a pseudo-sequel to ‘Whisper of the Heart’ than a direct one. This is one of the trickier films to place in this list. It is very much a flawed film, especially from a narrative perspective. The film moves along at a blistering pace which doesn’t allow for any kind of build up or pay off of tension. A lot of the conflicts within the film are seemingly picked up and dropped at a moments notice for no particular reason. I also feel like it doesn’t succeed in getting across its message of finding your place in the world. The only reason I even know that this is what the film was going for is because it comes out and tells you. This is also a message that had been done previously and with much better effect in several prior Ghibli films, which makes its inclusion here make sense even if ultimately it wasn’t successful or even really needed. However, despite all these flaws I still very much enjoy the film because it is just a lot of fun. I enjoy all the characters, especially Haru and Muta who are fun characters to watch even if they’re not exactly the most fleshed out. I also enjoy the animation style of the film. It is slightly different to the usual Ghibli style, but it still works, and I think it looks good throughout. There are also some great visual moments, especially one towards the end of the film where are characters are walking from the sky to the ground on the backs of crows. As a film ‘The Cat Returns’ is nothing special, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t keep me entertained from start to finish and I can definitely see myself coming back to it a few more times.
17. When Marnie Was There (2014)
Dir. Hiromasa Yonebayashi
This film currently stands as the last from Studio Ghibli until the release of Miyazaki’s next film. And as a final film it is a pretty good one. It has the Ghibli hallmarks throughout both in its visuals and storytelling. The film is visually very good. The animation and art style are crisp and there are some stunning moments within the film, mostly involving the moon and the sea. The story is an engaging and intriguing one, with a bit of mystery behind it. This mystery aspect of the film is obviously lost a little bit second time around, but the rest of the narrative has enough emotion behind it to keep you engaged with what is going on. However, I think that the writing has some issues, mostly with the central relationship between Marnie and Anna. This relationship is meant to be a platonic one, but it often feels much more romantic. This could have been the intent of the filmmakers to try and keep the relationship dynamics more enigmatic, but if that is the case it really muddies the narrative of the film. The narrative already feels a little odd because this relationship does feel romantic when it really shouldn’t. But overall, the narrative stands strong and I enjoy the story on the whole. ‘When Marnie Was There’ is not one of my favourite Ghibli films but I do very much enjoy it, and I feel like it is a film that will connect with a lot of people more than it did with me.
16. From Up On Poppy Hill (2011)
Dir. Goro Miyazaki
Goro Miyazaki’s second film under the Ghibli umbrella saw him make real strides.’ From Up On Poppy Hill’ may be out shone by Ghibli films that follow similar themes to it, but it is also an enjoyable film in its own right. The film is really well animated and looks good, although it doesn’t hit the visual heights of many other Ghibli films. Well, the majority of the time it doesn’t. There are a few scenes where we see people cooking food and these scenes are visually splendid. I just wanted to reach into the screen and eat everything in sight. There is one aspect of the film that I really enjoy on a visual level and that is the Club House that is at the centre of the film. It feels lived in and with history and almost becomes a character in itself. I also enjoy the main romance of the film. It feels real and has some genuinely quite romantic moments. But then the twist happens. I am not going to spoil the twist of the film here, but I will say that it is a bizarre choice and as soon as it is introduced the narrative starts a downward spiral from which it doesn’t recover. Up until this point the films narrative is engaging, if not the most original, but it just becomes a little convoluted and confused after the fact. ‘From Up On Poppy Hill’ is a good romance film with some nice visuals, but that twist. Oh that twist. Second time around knowing it was coming made it a little less weird, but it still effects the narrative to a point where I do lose interest somewhat for the second half of the film. Still, I do enjoy it and will revisit it again I’m sure.
15. Porco Rosso (1992)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
A film that has Miyazaki’s love of planes at the front and centre. From what I can tell I don’t like ‘Poco Rosso’ as much as the majority or people, but that is not to say I don’t like it. It is still a great film with a lot of really fun ideas and moments, as well as being impeccably animated once again. The dogfight scenes are brilliantly animated which makes the films exciting and a ton of fun. There is one scene in particular which is particularly visually striking. The scene in question is where we see effectively plane heaven. The contrast of the top of the clouds and the sky is beautiful, only made more visually stunning when we the thousands of planes in orbit high in the sky. It is a brilliantly visual scene and is the high point of the visuals in the film. As for the narrative it feels very much placed in the real world except that our hero is a pig. Well, a human who was turned into a pig by a spell, but a pig none the less. It is odd because the fact he is a pig is both really important and not important at all at the same time. So much of the dialogue is based around the fact he is a pig, but on a simple narrative level if you changed him out to be just a normal human nothing would really change. It both gives the film a feeling of realism and fantasy, which fits the entire tone of the film really well. This tone is set up fantastically in the opening scene where a group of air pirates rob a ship and kidnap a class of young schoolgirls. However, instead of these schoolgirls being scared they think that being held hostage is the most exciting thing to have ever happened and it is a fun and funny moment, setting up the comedic tone of the film brilliantly. I may not hold ‘Porco Rosso’ in as high esteem as many other people but it is still a great film and one I will return to in the future.
14. Pom Poko (1994)
Dir. Isao Takahata
This film is bloody bonkers. Isao Takahata is not a director afraid to try new things and I don’t think that is shown anywhere better than here. His two previous films in for Ghibli had been grounded, human dramas, and yet here we have a somewhat surrealist tale of magical, shapeshifting tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) fighting back against encroaching urban development. Oh, and they are obsessed with testicles, going so far to use them as parachutes. Yes, you read that right. One of the more comedic of Ghibli’s films, there are some brilliantly creative and funny moments within the film, and not always involving testicles. But, despite how odd it is, it is a Takahata film and so it also has a deeper message to it, this time being that of urban development and its affect on nature, and I think he pulls it off really well and in smart way. Narratively this film doesn’t grab me like a lot of Ghibli’s films, and I feel like if you cut half an hour of the film out it would be a better film all round. But my god is it a visual triumph. The tanuki’s ability to shapeshift lends itself really well to superb visuals as you can basically make them anything you want them to be. This means that the film is visually superb from the word go, with the animation matching up brilliantly. There are two moments where this is shown brilliantly, the first being the spectre parade the Tanuki perform in an attempt to put the humans off their development. This scene is visually incredible and super creative and is probably the standout moment for many viewers. For me I think the standout moment is towards the end of the film where the tanuki use their powers to transform Tokyo back to how it was before all the development. This is both a beautifully animated scene but also the most moving scene in the film. I don’t want to spoil it here, you’ll have to watch it for yourself. It may be slightly too long, but ‘Pom Poko’ is a film you have to see to believe, and while you may be distracted by how bizarre it is you will delight in how visually stunning it manages to be.
13. Ocean Waves (1993)
Dir. Tomomi Mochizuki
A bit of an oddity in the Ghibli canon this one, and also maybe one of my more controversial picks. A made for TV film which I feel not many people have heard about, let alone seen. However, it does also slot in with other Ghibli films well and I do like a good romantic drama and this one hits the spot, although it does miss a lot of swings as well, mainly in the central relationship between Taku and Rikako. Throughout the film there are very few times where they seem to have a genuine romantic connection, seeming to air more on the side of hating each other a lot of the time and I think this does weaken the ending somewhat. The strongest relationship in the film is between Taku and his friend Yutaka, who is in love with Rikako creating this love triangle. The relationship between Taku and Yutaka is much more interesting than the one between Taku and Rikako, and also feels much more romantic, a reading of the film that I am not the first to point out. Overall, I do enjoy the narrative and the characters, but it is the look of the film which sells it to me. It is not as vibrant or colourful as many other Ghibli films, but I love the animation style and what it does do with colour it does beautifully. The art style and animation fit the tone of the film brilliantly. It also has a brilliant piece of music that reoccurs throughout the film. It somehow feels nostalgic and matches the feeling of looking back at your younger years really well. ‘Ocean Waves’ is far from being a perfect film, but it is one that for some reason or another really sticks in my mind despite its issues. At the time of writing it currently sits at quite a controversial 7th place in my overall rankings. I’m pretty sure it won’t stay there, but only time will tell.
12. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
This could turn out to be one of the more controversial placings in this entire list. ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ is another of Ghibli’s heavy hitters being Miyazaki’s follow up to the hugely successful ‘Spirited Away’. And while it never hits the heights of ‘Spirited Away’ there is still a lot here to really enjoy. Yet again, Miyazaki creates a wonderful world filled with brilliant characters. The whole main cast of characters in this film are great. From Howl and his MCR emo style to Calcifer the fire demon trapped in the fireplace each character has a distinct and fun personalities, and also memorable character designs. The titular moving castle is a superb creation and is brilliantly animated, bringing the castle to life. The film is undoubtedly a visual achievement, with some truly stunning moments. And Joe Hisaishi’s score is wonderful, with the main theme of the film being a wonderful piece of music. The problems I have with the film are in the narrative. Although the story is cohesive, there is so much going on within the film that there is not enough focus on any aspect of the narrative for me to truly become emotionally invested. We have our protagonist Sophie looking to lift a curse that has been placed one her, the Witch of the Waste attempting to steal Howl’s heart, Madame Suliman is attempting to capture Howl so as to use him in the army, all while there is a war going on in the background. There is so much being stuffed into the film that I struggle to make an emotional connection or become engaged with any of the narrative threads. The film also has a really weak ending with all the narrative threads being resolved far too easily and with no real payoff, with the war aspect of the film being solved by people just saying ‘oh lets not be at war anymore’. It is the narrative issues of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ which for me make it not on the same level as the Ghibli greats, but as a piece of world building it is right up there. It is the world of this film that will have me returning to the film in the future.
11. The Wind Rises (2013)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
As of now this is Hayao Miyazaki’s final film (he does have a new film in production currently) and it definitely feels like a farewell piece. It seems like this is Miyazaki’s most personal film, and not just because it is all about planes. Miyazaki has a thing for planes, and this film is the culmination of this love in complete form. There is a clear passion shown in the way the film shows planes both in their making and when they take to the skies. This passion comes through in the film and makes you feel as passionate about planes as the film is, at least for the runtime. Some of the most beautiful moments of the film are where we see planes mid-build, or just some blueprints of planes. The film shows in detail the art of creating planes and it does become somewhat beautiful. There is of course a ton of classic Ghibli visual brilliance with the art design and animation being as good as always. But alongside these visuals and focus on planes there is a well-formed romance that is one of the more successful romances in any Ghibli film. You enjoy Jiro and Nahoko as a couple and there are some truly romantic moments between them, with the most romantic involving paper aeroplanes because what else would it involve. I do have bit of a problem with what Nahoko’s narrative purpose is for the second half of the film, but as characters and as an on-screen couple they are great. So, the film is personal because it is about planes, but the narrative also shows a man whose dedication to work means he misses out on the rest of his life. This may or may not be a little biographical from Miyazaki, but considering what he has said and what has been said of him in the past it would seem that this narrative thread is a reflection of his own life, and it is executed very well. ‘The Wind Rises’ may not be Miyazaki’s best film, but you get the feeling when watching it that it was the one made with the most passion and you get sucked in because of that. Add to that beautiful visual moments and great characters and you have a very solid film on your hands.
10. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
The first official Studio Ghibli film and it is not a bad one to kick off with. I actually have a full-length review of this film if you fancy reading my thoughts on it after first viewing. On second viewing it still gripped me, although I actually think I did the film a bit of a disservice first time around. It has everything you want from a fantasy adventure film; exciting action scenes, brilliantly crafted worlds, genuine emotional moments and just the right amount of comedy as well as just being a lot of fun. The train chase sequence is a particularly strong moment, but there are several great action sequences which are all animated beautifully, as is the whole film. In my original review I praised the world building and design of the film but felt the characters were weak. Whereas I still agree that the films world design is brilliant with beautiful scenery, character design and a great sense of scope, I have to say I was wrong about the characters of the film. Although not as strong as in many other Ghibli films they are still very well flashed out with real personality and emotional depth. I especially enjoy Mama who is great fun. And again, I want to quickly mention Joe Hisashi’s score, which is superb, and has one of the more memorable Ghibli themes. On the whole ‘Castle in the Sky’ achieves what it sets out to do and while I do not enjoy it as much as several other Ghibli works it is still a great film and sets out a fantastic benchmark as the first film from the studio.
9. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Dir. Yoshifumi Kondo
If all had gone to plan right now, I would be running around Tokyo, Jon Denver’s ‘Country Roads’ blasting into my ears, getting pictures of all the real-life location we see in this film. But alas, due to very obvious circumstances I had to settle for re-watching the film instead, which in itself was a real treat. This is another gem from the studio who once again are telling a story of young love and executing it brilliantly. The film is once again beautifully animated, crafting a Tokyo which feels somewhat magical despite being grounded in reality. But it is really in the narrative where the films true beauty comes through, despite me not being entirely sold on the ending. It is a superbly written story full of real emotion and romance, and also manages to capture what it is like to be a young person trying to find their place in the world superbly. It is hugely relatable in that regard. Our main character, Shizuku, is also one of my favourites in the whole Ghibli canon. She is superbly written and well-rounded character who also manages to capture the tendencies of people her age brilliantly. You empathise with her almost from minute one and her journey through the film is one full of charm and relatable moments that make you want to keep coming back. The one standout moment of this film is quite small, but it is where Shizuku and the love interest, Seiji, perform a cover of ‘Country Roads’, so being joined by Seiji’s grandpa, Shiro, and his friends. It is a moment which is full of joy and slaps a smile straight on to your face throughout. There is something very beautiful in how simply that one scene captures humanity. ‘Whisper of the Heart’ is a beautifully crafted film both visually and narratively and is sure to brighten your day after watching it.
8. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
Although technically not a Studio Ghibli film it is included within the studio’s canon of films and so it is also included on my list. And good thing too because I very much enjoy this film. The action scenes throughout the film are spectacular, especially the air battles which is unsurprising as it is a Miyazaki film. The animation throughout these scenes helps make them visually superb and exciting, but also beautiful. The whole look of this film is stunning. The world and creature designs are beautiful and there are some amazing visual moments throughout the film. One in particular comes within the opening moments of the film where the titular Nausicaa comes across the shell of an Ohm, a giant insect that resides in the toxic forests of the world. The reveal of the Ohm shell is magnificent and beautiful, and it also has a spectacular scale to it. On a narrative level the film is engaging combining elements of fantasy storytelling with an environmentalist message which enhances the gravitas of the story telling. I would also be remiss to mention Joe Hisashi’s score which mixes classic orchestral sound with 80s style electronica to really add an extra dimension. The score is quite unlike any other he would go on to make with the studio, but I think it works perfectly. As exciting as it is beautiful, ‘Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind’ is a more than solid first step for Ghibli and set out the stall brilliantly for the Studio going forward.
7. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
This is one of those Ghibli films that I had heard about before I had seen many of the films and so was one of the studio’s films I was looking forward to watching the most. I was not disappointed either time. ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ is a charming and visually brilliant film which fully deserves its place as one of Ghibli’s best. I think the biggest strength of the film is Kiki herself who is a superb character. She is a strong character who knows what she wants and is willing to work to get it, but she also is just so charming. She is the kind of character you wish you knew and had as a friend. I also love Jiji, Kiki’s talking cat who has some of the more comedic moments in the film. Narratively the film, like many Miyazaki films, has no antagonist with the conflict coming from Kiki having a crisis of confidence. But this lack of a villain means we can really focus in on Kiki and everything she is going through, the good and the bad. The film is also brilliant visually with the scenes of Kiki flying around the town Koriko. The town is an exquisite creation and you feel like it is a living and breathing place beyond the edges of the frame. It also happens to be situated just next to the ocean which lends itself to beautiful shots of the skyline against the sea. This film may also be home to my favourite piece of music in Ghibli films, or at least up there, with ‘Town with an Ocean View’ being a piece of music I listen to a lot, another superb creation from Joe Hisashi. ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ is a film I could put on any day of the week and enjoy equally as much each time. It is full of charm and beautiful visuals and is one I see myself watching again and again.
6. Ponyo (2008)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
This film is just a huge ball of delight from start to finish. As soon as the film starts right until that earworm of a theme tune plays at the end, I can’t help but have a smile on my face. It is just a wonderful experience. Yes, the narrative is not as compelling as a lot of other Ghibli films and it suffers from a conflict and ending that exists simply to give the film narrative structure, in that it feels rushed and seems unimportant in the grand scheme of things. But none of that matters one jot when everything else going on in the film is so charming. This film is home to two of my favourite Ghibli characters, the titular Ponyo and Lisa. They are very different characters, but both are filled with so much heart and are so fun to watch and I wish I could spend more time just watching these two. Unsurprisingly this film is visually brilliant. I have a thing for the ocean anyway and the way this film animates the ocean and life within it leads to both some brilliantly exciting moments as well as truly beautiful imagery. The key scene for this is where Ponyo escapes her father’s submarine to try and find her way back to the human world. This entire scene is animated brilliantly with superb visuals and is a ton of fun, especially once the escape turns into a huge tsunami made of giant fish. It is Miyazaki at his most imaginative and creative visually and it is a joy to behold. ‘Ponyo’ is a film that has instantly become a favourite of mine and one that I know I can throw on whenever I just need to smile for a while. There are not many films that just make you smile throughout, but ‘Ponyo’ smashes it out of the park.
5. Spirited Away (2001)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
This film was my first introduction to Studio Ghibli, and also happens to be the one with which the longest time passed before my second viewing, having seen it originally over a decade ago. With it having been so long since I last saw it I was genuinely surprised by just how much this film had stuck with me, especially on a visual level. The world that Miyazaki has created in this film is just incredible, filled with bright, vibrant colours, a brilliant array of creatures who are wonderfully designed, and some great, memorable characters. The bath house where the majority of the film takes place feels like a character almost in and of itself, that is how masterfully the world within it has been brought to life in the film. It is also, once again, beautifully animated with two stand out scenes. The first being the cleaning of the stink spirit within the bath house, which is beautiful in the way you feel everything within it as if you are there. The sludge looks heavy and disgusting, the water looks clean and crisp, and all the action is fluid. The second stand out scene is where our protagonist, Chihiro, takes the train with No Face. It is such a simple scene, yet the movement of the train matched with these stunning outside environments makes it a beautiful moment within the film. It feels like the film has taken a step outside of itself and the hectic nature of bath house to have a quieter moment and it is wonderful. I don’t think the narrative of the film is actually all that strong, especially the ending which feels really quite weak. But the film is so imaginative and creative that it almost doesn’t matter. Every scene we are introduced to an interesting new character or another aspect of this wonderful world and I just kept wanting to learn more. ‘Spirited Away’ is often people’s first exposure to Miyazaki and Ghibli and although I don’t think it is the pinnacle of either’s work, it is still a magical film.
4. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
When I first started to hear about Studio Ghibli there were two films that kept coming up. ‘Spirited Away’ was one of them, ‘Princess Mononoke’ was the other. I understand why both of those stand out as key films for the studio. This film is an epic achievement of animation, mixing pure beauty with grotesque visuals and capping it all off with some stellar action sequences. The film sets out its stall from the very beginning where we see a boar god, possessed by a demon on a path of destruction. The visual representation of this demon is both stunning and grotesque, and the way it is animated matches how it looks. These grotesque images reoccur often in the film and each time I was in awe about how visually brilliant they were. But they are beaten out by all the scenes that take place in the forest among the spirits. These scenes are just stunning. Every frame could be a piece of art. There are several sequences within the forest that are just beautifully crafted on every level, to a point where I wished I lived within this world to see these environments. The scope of this film is also hugely impressive. The film feels huge and you feel like you are watching a fantasy epic along the lines of a ‘Lord of the Rings’, etc. The action in the film is also superb. Each action scenes is visceral and exciting, especially when you have people having their heads cut off (and more people losing their arms than the show ‘Star Wars’ saga). However, this isn’t just mindless action either, there is purpose and emotion behind it. You can see the good and bad on either side of the conflict and it makes these scenes much more effective on an emotional level than if it was your Michael Bay style action set pieces. I do love a goof fantasy epic and ‘Princess Mononoke’ manages to deliver that, alongside some truly epic and beautiful imagery and animation which s right up there with the best the Studio has produced.
3. Only Yesterday (1991)
Dir. Isao Takahata
I had quite a drastic change of opinion of this film upon my second viewing. Originally, I enjoyed it but wasn’t completely sold. Second time around I fell head over heels for it. I can’t even put my finger on exactly why I loved it so much more the second time around, but something happened which jumped this from mid-tier Ghibli right into the upper echelons. It is a beautiful film in both a visual and story telling sense. The story is very simple and yet so effective, and I found myself relating hugely to Taeko as a character. The story structure is also a simple and often used one, flipping between our character in modern day to her childhood but it is also brilliantly executed. Takahata also flips how he tells the story the story is told through flashback, narration, dialogue and even documentary style at times, but it never feels jarring, with each aspect of the storytelling flowing effortlessly between each. Whether the film is taking us through the trails and tribulations of Taeko’s childhood and adulthood or being shown the ins and outs of Saffron farming and discussing how market reforms are effecting Japanese agriculture (yes, really) the film remains completely intriguing and beautiful. Visually it is a triumph. All the modern-day scenes are drawn and animated in the standard Ghibli style, popping with colour and with beautiful environments. When the film goes into flashbacks the colours fade drastically, with white being used heavily to colour the scenes. This scenes have such a beautiful look to them, made more beautiful by the contrast with the look of the rest of the film, but also gives the scenes a feeling of being a memory where only the important details are coloured. ‘Only Yesterday’ is a truly beautiful film which engaged me and related to me more than I thought it would have. I don’t know why the second time was a major improvement on the first, but whatever it may be I don’t care as I have found a new favourite in the Ghibli canon.
2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
So we come to the film which gave the studio their logo. ‘Me Neighbor Totoro’ is one of the studios heavy hitters and always one of the first that spring to mind when people think of Ghibli. And it totally deserves to be regarded as one of the studio’s best. This film will absolutely charm your pants off. It is a film without any real conflict, They bring a conflict in towards the end of the film, but the film mostly focuses on two young girls getting used to living in a new home in the country and living among the spirit creatures. It is really that simple and yet it is a brilliant film. It just makes you happy and I struggled to wipe the smile off my face throughout the entire film. The film is obviously beautiful, with some scenes being simply stunning. The moment which sticks with me most is where we see the two girls, Satsuki and her young sister, Mei, stood at the bus stop waiting for their dad to return from work. They are to the very far right of the frame, illuminated by the street-light while rain falls in the darkness around them. It is a simply stunning visual moment. Also, being a Miyazaki film, the creature design is all wonderful. Totoro himself is an adorable, cuddly troll which has a personality all of its own, and the cat bus, despite being nightmare fuel, is brilliantly designed and the way it is animated is fantastic. And of course, Joe Hisashi provides another fantastic score, but I feel like that doesn’t need to be said anymore. ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ is hands down one of the greatest pick-me up films ever made. If you feel a bit down this will not fail to put a smile on your face, and I do love it for that.
1. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Dir. Isao Takahata
Well it has happened folks. For years I have been able to say that no film has ever been able to make me cry. I don’t wear this as a badge of honour or anything like that, it was just true. There have been a handful of films that have pushed me close mind, including ‘Grave of the Fireflies’. Well second time around and it fucking got me, which made the whole introduction to my review of this film redundant. And I don’t mean it made cry a single tear or anything, no I was full on sobbing. This film has an affect on me like no other film has in the tears department and I don’t think it is that surprising. It is just so devastatingly beautiful. The animation in this film is stunning, with several moments being visually stunning, even when what you are looking at is horrific. The firebombing scenes are as visually beautiful as the scenes of the two main characters revelling in life. One of these scenes is where our characters capture a load of fireflies and release them I their bug net, illuminating the space. It is a beautifully animated scene, using stunning colours and being able to portray the beauty of the scene through the character animation. The most beautiful scene in the film is also the one which gets to me in the sad feels the most and it is simply just a montage of Setsuko. The young girl in the film, playing by the place where she has been living with her brother, Seita. I want say any more, but boy is it a moving scene. The score of the film is also great. It aids every scene where it is used, but it is also not intrusive, and the film truly benefits from this. There are several moments of silence which make the scenes much more visceral and real. And of course, this film is just heart-breaking. There are moments of genuine joy which make you smile, but that in many ways just makes the film more of an emotional kick to the tear ducts. ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ may be one of the most devastating films ever made, but it is in the sadness and heartbreak where the film finds a lot of its beauty. It is a stunning film on every level and I absolutely adore it. Not just my favourite Ghibli film, but one of my favourite films of all time.
So there we have it, all 22 Ghibli films ranked. I am sure that no one will agree fully with this list and to be honest I am not 100% on it myself. I enjoy every single one of these films and so putting them in any kind of order I am happy with is an almost impossible task. If you are completely new to the studio or if you have only seen a handful of these films then I fully recommend going and watching the catalogue. For me they are the greatest animation studio in the world and their films are ones I will come back to again, and again, and again.