Salam and konnichiwa minna-san~
Hai' haaai' tis anime review time again, and this time I'm gonna make short reviews on
10 selected animated films from Studio Ghibli Production. Studio Ghibli, lead by Hayao Miyazaki sensei, is a highly renowned Japanese animation production house, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, two of the best animation creators. For more info on Studio Ghibli, visit
GhibliWorld.com ^^
Spirited Away
Genre:
Action, Supernatural, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Magic, Romance, Mystery
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
2001
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 9/10
* Awesome and memorable, to the extent where some of the scenes and sound may penetrate your dreams and subconsciousness. This award-winning, best picture masterpiece is the very reason that actually got me totally hooked with Studio Ghibli collection sometime in 2004, back when I was in my fourth semester doing my bachelor's degree :3
My Neighbor Totoro
Genre:
Adventure, Supernatural, Mystery
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
1988
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8.5/10
* Totoro, the famous catlike creature, has become the mascot of Studio Ghibli itself. Despite the cuteness, fluffy-ness, and charming environment of this whole story, there is actually a 'dark side' of this folklore legend. One can choose not to believe the dark, gory and sad side of this story, just take the animovie as it is presented in Studio Ghibli. Minna bujide yokatta (everyone is safe, thank goodness) :3
Howl's Moving Castle
Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
2004
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8.5/10
* Howl's Moving Castle is based on a fantasy novel, written by British author Diana Wynne Jones, first published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books of New York. I still haven't gotten the chance to read the novel yet, but I think Studio Ghibli has splendidly animated this story into a superb masterpiece :D
Princess Mononoke
Genre:
Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
1997
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 9/10
* One of my favorite Ghibli animovies, Mononoke Hime! The tenacious wolf princess goes all out protecting her wolf tribe and the sacred forest against industrialization and human greed. A very inspiring masterpiece, a must watch Ghibli film indeed~ :D
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Drama, Science Fiction
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
1984
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8.5/10
* Nausicaa is one of the earlier Ghibli films that got my respect. The theme is rather futuristic where pollution on the earth has gotten out of hand, and many oddly creatures exist in the highly affected areas where humankind used to roam. A must watch masterpiece, grab your popcorn and soft drinks peeps~ XD
The Cat Returns
Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystery, Romance
Creator:
Hiroyuki Morita
Vintage:
2002
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8/10
* A charming Ghibli film for cat lovers, those who adore cats and Japanese animation, this animovie is made especially for you! If there is such a place as Cat Kingdom, I would very much like to pay a visit!! Nyaaa~ X3
Only Yesterday
Genre:
Drama, Slice of Life, Romance
Creator:
Isao Takahata
Vintage:
1991
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8/10
* As expected of Isao Takahata, this film is more reality-based and rather close to the everyday life of most of us. How many of you still remember your silly yet innocent primary school days as if they were only yesterday? I bet most of us do, be it sad or happy. Watching this film made me feel like watching a very interesting documentary of the Japanese country life, where agriculture plays an important role in the development of a sustainable country. Watch it, you'll get what I mean ^^
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
Genre:
Fantasy, Adventure, Supernatural, Romance
Creator:
Hayao Miyazaki
Vintage:
2008
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8/10
* A twist of The Little Mermaid, in a sense. It's a charming story of innocent puppy love and admiration of a little juvenile female fish towards a little boy by the sea. It's just overwhelmingly cute and charming, a pleasant story to watch with the whole family and friends :3
The Borrower Arrietty
Genre:
Adventure, Supernatural, Romance
Creator:
Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Vintage:
2010
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 7.5/10
* Little people, literally. They're not thieves, they're "borrowers". They sneak into your kitchen in the middle of the dead night like mice, neatly "borrowing" some sugar cubes, spices, some flour, only in small amounts, so the house owners won't realize any changes occurring around the house. As expected of a Ghibli production, there is bound to be some sort of a romantic spark between the characters, even though it seems almost utterly impossible.
Tales from EarthSea
Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Creator:
Goro Miyazaki
Vintage:
2006
Type/length:
animovie
Personal rating: 8/10
* Yes, Hayao Miyazaki sensei has a son, Goro Miyazaki, to carry his awesome legacy, along with his other awesome crew members of Studio Ghibli. The starting of this animovie is somewhat filled with confusing mixed emotions, but as you continue watching this masterpiece, you'll be drawn to know the ending of this fantasy folklore with a Mayan + European middle-ages setting.
Full list of Studio Ghibli's animovie collection
HERE ^^
~Previous anime reviews~
And, here's my short cover (amateur and humble piano cover attempt) of Spirited Away's soundtrack. I just played it according to my own liking (hentam ajer ler), LoL, well enjoy anyways ne minna-san~ XD
Jya mata ne, koneko-tachi chan~ (=^w^=)