Mle's 2024 Ghibli Movie Marathon

December 23, 2024

In 2024, I decided to finally take on the task of watching every single Studio Ghibli movie, plus a few honorable extras. I had an amazing time going through this catalogue. While not all of the movies are perfect, they are brimming with creativity, reliability, and magic. I have always liked Studio Ghibli, but after this I LOVE Studio Ghibli, and believe they deserve all the acclaim.

Below are my thoughts on each movie. They are loosely ranked from favorite to least favorite, but don’t take that part too seriously. Aside from my favorite, the ordering has changed about a dozen times.

Howl's Moving Castle

I have loved Howl's Moving Castle for many years, and fully admit that’s part of why it’s my favorite Ghibli film. Even so, Howl's Moving Castle is a delightful movie. It is the perfect blend of cozy-found family, romance, self-discovery, and action fantasy. I love Sophie as the female lead, not only because of her ingenuity in becoming Howl’s “cleaning lady” is adorable, but because she is able to break her curse by becoming courageous and self confident. The titular Howl is my favorite mixture of cool-mysterious and dramatic-twink. I love that Howl grows as a character by watching Sophie continue to choose kindness and bravery. Their romance forms by making each other better people.
Howl's has been my favorite since I caught it on TV as a kid all the way through adulthood. It is my go-to when I'm feeling down, and I'm sure I will watch it a dozen more times.

Whisper of the Heart

I had never heard of this film before going through Ghibli’s catalogue, but wow! It’s great! Whisper of the Heart is a very low stakes coming of age movie that focuses on the struggles of the creative process, and finding inspiration. The leads, Shizuku and Seiji, have great chemistry as rivals and partners trying to learn their crafts. It’s a very relatable film that’s grounded in Tokyo, only rarely dabbling in more fantastic imagery.

Kiki's Delivery Service

I want to live in Kiki’s Delivery Service. Its countryside and European-esque city, where new friends are just around the corner, make me yearn for a simpler life. That isn't to say this movie is bland though. Kiki’s calming moments are balanced by a plotline that realistically depicts burnout. Kiki, a young witch who loves to fly, turns that flight into a career, and thus loses her passion for it. The loss of passion manifesting as Kiki losing her powers is such a clever metaphor, and very relatable as an adult.

Princess Mononoke

Princess Monoke is a gorgeous film about the inherent conflict between nature and industrialization. This type of plot could have easily been “human bad, nature good”, but luckily it is much more complex. The lead, Ashitaka, is an outsider and audience surrogate trying to find peace and understanding without invalidating either the spirits of the forest or Iron Works. The characters leading each faction are more morally gray with understandable motivations and likable characters. Then, there is the titular Princess Monoke who has one of the coolest designs in all of the Ghibli films. She is a headstrong wild woman seen riding wolves and staunchly defending her home.

My Neighbor Totoro

Totoro is a peaceful and adorable movie about the bliss and magic of childhood. The movie follows two sisters, little girls who behave like real children instead of cartoon characters. I’m especially partial to Mei - something about her design is just so sweet and adorable to me. The forest spirits themselves also have amazing and iconic designs. It’s no wonder Totoro became the company mascot.

Only Yesterday

Another contemplative down-to-earth movie! This one really resonated with me being that, at the time of watching, I am a woman in my late twenties. Taeko’s nostalgic reflections on her childhood provide such a real and relatable look into what growing up can feel like. Some of the flashbacks had me laughing out loud (the period scenes! It was the same in my 5th grade!). At this stage in life, I too have begun reflecting on my childhood and desire to live a simpler life. Like Taeko in the beginning of the film, I really don't know what I want. I'm so glad she was able to figure it out though. ;)

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Obviously one of the most visually impressive movies ever animated, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is the definition of a painting come to life with its gorgeous watercolor frames. The story is one that resonates more for a Japanese audience given that the titular tale is known for being the oldest written work found in Japan. However, the movie has more to offer than just a simple retelling. Instead, it chooses to focus on the character of Kaguya, and how she feels during the divine events that unfold around her. Kaguya’s world transforming from open and free, to a rich enclosure is rather sad to watch. Still, there are moments of beauty and levity that don't make the film unbearably sad. Just be prepared for a gut punch ending.

Spirited Away

I feel like I'm going to get in trouble for not having this in the Top 5. Spirited Away was the first Ghibli movie I saw (I was 7 at the time), and I've always liked it. It boasts gorgeous visuals, a memorable score, likable lead, and charming story. Haku specifically is one of my favorite dragon designs in fiction. I like that Spirited Away’s bathhouse setting feels so tangible despite also being so fantastical. The audience gets a sense of its layout, employees, and business without losing focus on Chihiro’s struggles. Chihiro, in Ghibli fashion, Chihiro acts her age without feeling incompetent. I think this really elevates her as a protagonist because she is so courageous despite being in a situation way over her.
Even so, I can't help but like other Ghibli movies more. I can't say Spirited Away does anything wrong or bad - I just happened to click more with other works.

Castle in the Sky

I did not expect to like this movie as much as I did! Castle in the Sky is an adventure movie with whimsical charm, interesting environmental messages, and fun cast. The standout for me had to be the Sky Pirates led by a headstrong elderly woman. The world of Castle in the Sky is also really unique and beautiful. The juxtaposition of technology overcome by nature definitely inspires the creative mind (many JRPGs of the time would agree). Overall, a very fun and beautiful movie.

When Marnie Was There

I'm surprised by how much I liked this film.
I hadn't heard much about it, and part of me wondered if it was because it's a boring watch. Instead it was a heartfelt movie about an adolescent girl dealing with teenage angst and grief in an idealistic seaside town. I saw so much of myself in the lead, Anna. I used to struggle with social interaction, moodiness, and just hating myself. It was so cathartic to watch Anna grow and heal.
The elephant in the room is Marnie. I was expecting to be fuming at the twist that Marnie is Anna’s grandmother instead of romantic partner, but it worked better than I expected. I lost my beloved grandmother at a young age, so I could more easily relate to that bond.
That all said, I do think some of the interactions between Marnie and Anna do play as too romantic. I don't blame people for not liking this movie or calling it queerbait.

Up on Poppy Hill

This movie could have been so much higher on this list if it wasn't for the incest jump scare. (Seriously, why did that have to be here??) Outside of that, it's another cozy down-to-earth story about saving a school clubhouse and living with a big family. It's another movie I liked just existing in (seriously, I love the attention to detail everytime Umi cooks).

Procco Rosso

Porcco Rosso is a unique and quirky film. He's a pig. He's a pilot. The girls love him. He'd never be a fascist. This movie is a fun adventure romp that has some of the most gorgeous flying shots of any Ghibli film. I'm torn if I liked the ambiguous ending or not.

The Cat Returns

Another fun and whimsical movie! It's the perfect companion for Whisper of the Heart, being it stars the Baron in an actual fantasy story this time (maybe Shizuku wrote it??). I love that it's about crazy cats and takes on a more comedic tone. It's not a groundbreaking film, but definitely a fun watch.

Ocean Waves

Most of the discussion surrounding Ocean Waves is about how awful it and its characters are. Made for tv, Ocean Waves was created by the younger animators at Ghibli for practice. Given this, they were able to inject more authentic contemporary feelings of young people in Japan, which came through in its story. Ocean Waves has a simple premise in that it’s about a love triangle between three teenagers during their last years in high school. Unlike most viewers, I really liked the mundanity and melodrama of this film. Our female lead is horrible and unlikable, yet like the characters surrounding her, I was sucked into her drama. I am also of the opinion that there is unrequited homo-errotic subtext between the two male leads that just wasn’t able to be fully realized or hashed out on screen. I don’t like the implied ending at all, but I can’t lie that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film, and would watch it again.

The Wind Rises

A biopic of real-life aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi. The movie is very grounded with interesting scenes of airplane engineering, real world natural disasters, and romance. It’s very well done, but unfortunately I wasn’t invested in Jiro’s passion or his romance. Still, I learned a lot from watching this movie, and Hayao Miyazaki’s passion for aircraft really shows through.

Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind

This movie works for me more on an aesthetic level. The soundtrack might be my favorite of any Ghibli film, and the toxic jungle is insanely cool. This is another one that surely influenced many creative decisions in JRPGs. That all said, I wasn't as connected to Nausicaa as a protagonist. Don't get me wrong, I love what she represents and how she uses pacifism to solve conflicts, I just wasn't as crazy about the sort of worship that surrounded her.

Pom Poko

This movie made me love tanooki! (Yes, tanooki, NOT raccoons. Different animals!). The tanooki, especially rendered in the more realistic art style, are actually adorable. That aside, Pom Poko isn’t as weird or inappropriate as the internet lead me to believe. It actually surprised me by being a sort of mockumentary about the different styles of revolution and the futility of pushing back against industrialization. Some of the scenes were laugh out loud funny (the television consuming the tanookis’ attention comes to mind), while others were depressing (the tanooki drowning). That all said, I thought the movie’s run time was just a bit too long.

My Neighbors the Yamadas

This movie is just silly and fun. It’s a series of comic strip vignettes about an average family in Japan rendered in a more cartoony art style that sets it apart from the other Ghibli films. Despite lacking a plot, the different situations and themes pull together to create a humorous and likable day-in-the-life. Some of my favorite moments had to be the story of leaving Nanoko at the mall, confronting the motorcycle “hooligans”, ginger making everyone forget, and the diffusion of responsibility at play when the dad asks for his umbrella. My only criticism is that it went on just a touch too long, but it was not a huge issue.

The Boy and the Heron

I saw a Tumblr user posit that the Boy and the Heron is Hayao Miyazaki’s apology to Goro Miyazaki, and gosh do I hope that’s true. It makes a lot of sense as an interpretation given that Mahito is chosen to be the old wizard’s successor, and ultimately refuses to instead live a fulfilling life with his family. But it’s unconfirmed if that was the film’s actual intention.
Wizard plotline aside, I don’t think I fully grasp The Boy and the Heron. This movie is packed with symbolism and dreamlike sequences reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, but with a more violent edge. I liked the art direction (the heron and parkeets were neat), but I think I need more time with this movie to fully appreciate its exploration of grief and Mahito’s psyche.

Ponyo

I saw Ponyo back when it first came out and, while enjoying the art style, didn’t care for the movie overall. I really thought my opinion would change now that I’m older, but sadly it’s largely the same. Ponyo boasts a beautiful art style with memorable moments, and realistic depictions of four year olds. Ponyo acts her age, and I think that’s what can lead to some grating moments from her (she likes to yell!). But even beyond that, the conflict of the movie seemed a bit at odds with the tone of the movie. While Ponyo was running around trying to be cute, my mind was constantly thinking about how many homes, ships, and people were hurt or killed from the rising tides. Why did it need to be so catastrophic?
I also got frustrated with Sosuke’s mom leaving the kids alone towards the end of the film. A natural disaster is unfolding, and she’s just cool with leaving a four-year old in charge.
Perhaps I’m taking this all a little too seriously. The film isn’t interested in exploring the actual ramifications of Ponyo’s journey into becoming a human, and maybe I as an audience member just need to turn my brain off and enjoy its whimsy.
One point I will defend on behalf of Ponyo is its interpretation of love. A criticism I’ve seen surrounding this film is how Sosuke and Ponyo will inevitably fall out of love as they age, but I never thought the love on display was a romantic or sexual love. “Love” for children is a very open and nebulous emotion. Maybe Ponyo could love Sosuke romantically, or maybe it’s a familial love, or love a “friend I just made on the playground today.” I don’t know. I think the point is Ponyo was able to feel these feelings more readily as a human than as a fish.
The old ladies are also great.

The Secret World of Arriety

I don’t know why this movie didn’t click for me, I know a lot of people really enjoy it. It just felt a bit more “western” or “cliche” I suppose compared to the other films. I also wasn’t super endeared to its characters. Arriety quickly goes from being plucky and excited to morose for the rest of the film. I understand why she harbors guilt, it’s her mistake that results in the humans finding out her family of borrowers are in the house, but it still was a bit of a bummer. I also didn’t care for her relationship with the human boy as well, he was just a little off to me.

Grave of the Fireflies

It’s hard to talk about this film because it’s a movie I really think everyone should watch, but it’s one I never want to see again. Grave of the Fireflies is heavy, full of gut-punches that just ruined my mood for multiple days. Even so, I thought it was important that this movie depicted the real world suffering of Japan during WWII from the eyes of children. It’s a top tier anti-war movie, but extremely hard to watch.

Tales from Earthsea

Tales from Earthsea is a pretty mid Ghibli film. That alone would place it here, but it’s made worse knowing that Earthsea’s author, Ursula Le Guin, specifically okay-ed this adaptation with the promise that Hayao Myazaki would be leading it. Instead, the project was given to an untested Goro Miyazaki, who completely ignored Le Guin’s requests to not simplify the world’s conflicts or deviate too far from the source material. This all happens in the adaptation making for a confusing conflict climaxing a battle of good and evil.
The only part I found to be interesting was viewing this movie through the lens of Goro. Arren, the main character, is dealing with his own demons and frustrations with his family. In the first ten minutes, it is shown his parents neglect him, but his father is a benevolent and respected ruler. Arren, seemingly in a fit of dissociated rage, kills his father without understanding why. That’s interesting, but ultimately never explored.

Earwig and the Witch

This movie is bad, which sucks because it’s another Goro Miyzaki film. I just want this guy to have more wins. Earwig’s animation is not good, but it’s not the reason this movie is my least favorite. No, it’s Earwig’s story that is abysmal. The entire plot centers around Earwig living with an abusive witch and a demon with anger problems. Over the course of the plot, it’s revealed Earwig’s guardians were once bandmates with Earwig’s real mother (who ran out on her earlier in the film). The movie is paced slowly before ultimately speedrunning to the end and failing to being any of its plot threads to a conclusion (ex. What happens when Earwig’s mother comes back? Why did her life with the witch and demon change so fast? Why is Earwig such a static character?) The common defense for this story is that the book also ends abruptly. I don’t think that’s a great excuse, given that many readers are also dissatisfied with that ending.

Honorable Mentions

Red Turtle

Ghibli didn’t really head this one, but they helped produce it, so I figured I’d talk about it. Red Turtle is stunning, boasting a unique visual style that is masterfully lit and colored. Red Turtle makes the bold choice to tell its story without dialogue, yet it is still so gripping to watch without it. It’s a reminder of how well animation can tell stories through lighting, expressions, body language, and character interactions. I don’t know the meaning of this movie, a lot of people have their own ideas, and I think that’s okay. It is definitely one I recommend to art lovers, and one I’d watch again.

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro

Not technically a Ghibli film, but it was Hayao Miyazaki’s film directorial debut. Lupin III is a pre-existing IP, meaning that this film was created with well established and liked characters. Miyazaki does a great job of establishing these characters’ dynamics without having to stop and exposit - it’s a great balance. Like the Ghibli films that would succeed it, The Castle of Cagliostro is a gorgeous looking movie that depicts an European countryside and classical looking castle. As much as I appreciated the tone and look of this film, it wasn’t entirely for me. I’m not big on action movies, and I found Clarise to be a bit grating at times (I’ve just moved beyond the captured innocent princess trope). Even so, I appreciate this movie for what it accomplished in its time and for launching Miyazaki and his team to new heights.