"No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology might be, the world cannot live without love". This is a quote from the movie 'Castle in the Sky' (1986) directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Hayao Miyazaki is the co-founder of an anime production company in Japan, Studio Ghibli. Since the time this company started making anime movies, it started climbing the pinnacle of the animated movie industry. Spirited Away, which is a movie produced by this company became the first anime movie to win the 'Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film', at the Oscars in 2003. Since then Studio Ghibli has made people fall in love will their work and there is a huge Ghibli fan base across the globe.
Studio Ghibli :An Overview
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio based in Koganei, Tokyo. It was founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata and Yasuyoshi Tokuma in 1985. It has made more than 20 anime movies, many short movies, commercials, video games etc. Studio Ghibli's latest work 'The Boy and the Heron' directed by Miyazaki won the 'Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film' at Oscars in 2023. Some of the Studio Ghibli movies include Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, Grave of the fireflies, The Wind Rises and many more.
My first experience of a Ghibli movie
It was five to six years ago when I first saw a Miyazaki movie and it was none other than Spirited Away. This movie was highly rated. It was not my first experience watching an animated movie as I had already watched Kung fu Panda, Disney movies. I still remember that a young girl named Chihiro got trapped into the world of spirits and now somehow she had to find a work and survive there. I also remember Kamazi working with his eight hands. I love Kamazi, he is awesome. During the movie I was really astonished by how many character were in this movie. It made me realize the power of imagination. Miyazaki's ability to construct so many different characters amazed me. Then the train scene came and I was just flabbergasted by that. Two minutes of nothing happening and that beautiful score playing in the background, that was so relaxing. Since that day this movie has been on my list for my personal favorite three movies, undisputedly.
I immediately watched other Ghibli movies like Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving castle, Ponyo and many more. When I have a rough day or I want to have that feel good moment, I watch these Ghibli movies even today. They are so comforting and relaxing.
Why are the movies so good?
I have watched a lot of Ghibli and non Ghibli anime movies. Of course, a typical anime movie has great characters, a good story and a nice plot. But there are certain aspects that separate the Ghibli movies from non Ghibli movies and I want to focus on that. Here are some features, in my opinion that makes the Ghibli movies simply better.
1. Visuals
Ghibli movies look visually enchanting. As the frames in the movies are hand drawn, the visuals look so authentic. The CGI images has less authenticity than the hand drawn ones. The hand drawn shots or frames however are made by layering hand painted images on celluloid. The shots look vibrant and natural. visually, films like Princess Mononoke, The tale of Princess Kaguya are absolutely beautiful.
2. Score
Joe Hisaishi is the scorer behind many of the Ghibli movies. The score in every movie is so beautifully composed. Joe Hisaishi's ability to change his sound to fit the mood of the film is so impressive. The score lets your emotion flow through you and there is a feeling of calmness and relaxation. The score in spirited Away 'One Summer's Day' and in Princess Mononoke 'Ashitaka and San' are two of my favorites.
3. 'Let it sink in' moment
The two minutes Train scene in Spirited Away when Chihiro and the spirit are going to meet Zeniba is one of the best scene in the movie. Nothing happens for two minutes, no one talks. The train moves and the beautiful score gets played and you see these amazing hand crafted frames. Also the rain scene which involves the main character holding umbrella, waiting for her father to arrive and Tototo in My Neighbor Totoro. These kind of nothing happening scenes make audience rest a bit and let that sink in. And again, Joe's score binds the audience to the scene and let them feel the moment. This 'Let that sink in' moment is a feature of every Ghibli movies.
4. A message
There is always a message to the audience in the Ghibli movies. Miyazaki always talks about the inspiration behind the movie and surely the Ghibli movies inspire the audience, inspire them to love, to follow dreams, to believe in themselves. These kind of messages in films make them worth watching. Here are some key messages from some popular Ghibli films
- Spirited Away:- The power of love between Chihiro and Haku
- Princess Mononoke:- Protecting the nature, the love for nature
- My Neighbor Totoro:- Love between sisters and their parents
- The wind Rises:- Pursuing your dreams
- Kiki's Delivery service:- Believing yourself
5. Attention to background
Miyazaki says that people in my movies are not just people, they represent the society. You can always see people doing their works and living their day to day life in the Ghibli movies. The movie highlights that whatever you do, you are a part of society. Also I loved the mouse and fly thing on the shoulder of Chihiro in Spirited Away. That was very well executed. The movies are made in Japan so it highlights the earthy and rustic rural Japan arts, sculptures, tradition, cultures and also includes the urban area of Japan. The beautiful countryside landscapes, trees, birds chirping, sound of the wind blowing add extra charm to the movie. Princess Mononoke movie is a prime example of it.
6. Language
I think a point that many people miss when talking about these movies is the language. The Japanese language sounds very cute when spoken by an anime character. I also think many people enjoy listening Japanese language including me. If the Ghibli movies were made in Korea, I doubt that they would be so much popular.
7. Imagination and Creativity
If you have watched Spirited Away, you know how many different character are there in the movie and none of them are irrelevant or redundant, they all have a role to play. Miyazaki's ability to construct so many different characters is astounding. Also in the movie Castle in the Sky, he imagines a castle above the clouds, which is very creative. Miyazaki also emphasizes the importance of new ideas, creativity, imagination in his co-workers, which is fascinating to see.
What further for Studio Ghibli?
It has been rumored that The Boy and the Heron may be the final movie of Miyazaki. But even if he continues, there won't be many Miyazaki movies. I know that Miyazaki has passed his knowledge and experiences to the younger members of the team. I think the future of this company lies in the broad shoulders of upcoming Hayao Miyazaki or upcoming Joe Hisaishi. We have been blessed with so many beautiful Ghibli moments and I hope that the new team will also not fail to amaze us and provide more amazing Ghibli moments. It is important to bring new ideas, newer creativity and inspiration in the upcoming movies but also to preserve the features that makes a Ghibli movie, Ghibli.
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