I remember when I was eight years old and I watched Spirited Away for the first time. I was lured into this whole world and culture that I never knew existed and after the film had finished, that was it: I was obsessed. 

For the past thirteen years, I have been a massive Studio Ghibli fan. When asked who my favourite director was in my university interview, I said Hayao Miyazaki. He creates these amazing worlds that are so magical and have the power to take control of your life. So considering how much I love Studio Ghibli productions, I thought that I would accumulate a list of my top five favourite films from the company.

 

5) Kiki’s Delivery Service 

This is a humorous tale about a young witch who leaves her family so that she can learn magic. When stumbling upon a town, she starts her own delivery service for the townsfolk. She finds herself surrounded by tasks, and love that will last forever.

4) The Wind Rises

This masterpiece is based on the life of Jiro Horikoshi who was the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M and the A6M fighter aircrafts which were used by the Empire of Japan during World War Two. It has such beautiful imagery and portrays the horrors of the beginning of the war in such a heartfelt way.

3) My Neighbour Totoro

This film! I loved it so much that I got a tattoo of Totoro on my wrist.

When a family love to rural Japan to live closer to their hospital bound Mother, two loving sister stumble upon a mythical forest sprite and its woodland friends. Together, they explore the beautiful countryside around them and go on extraordinary adventures.

2) Spirited Away

I’m guessing you thought this film was going to be number one? This is such a brilliant film. Words cannot explain how much I love it.

10-year-old Chiriho and her parents find an abandoned amusement park. After her mother and father are turned into pigs, Chihiro meets Haku, who explains that the park is a resort for supernatural beings who need a break from their time spent in the earthly realm, and that she must work there to free herself and her parents.

1) Grave of the Fireflies

Oh, the feelings that I got whilst watching this movie. It’s a story about love, friendship and how family is important and how you have to keep them close to you.

Grave of the Fireflies portrays the devastating world of war and follows Seita who has to take care of his little sister after America bomb their town during World War Two which separates the children from their parents. Their tale of survival depicts war in its truest form: heartbreaking and a struggle against the odds to stay alive.

I could compile a list of every single Studio Ghibli movie and tell you to watch them all (because you really should!) They are amazing family and they tell such amazing stories. I have watched them over and over again and I never tire of the brilliant storylines.

Have you watched any Studio Ghibli?

Which one is your favourite?