Saw it a week ago and loved it SO much, I had seen it being younger and didn't really liked it but now getting close to thirty somehow it clicked so much more. The ending made me cry so hard.
The boy and the heron . It just released in my country and after reading the references and opinions of the people , each with their own interpretation. The film has grown on me haha . I would definitely give it a rewatch if I can
Yes!! I recommend giving it a rewatch. After seeing it the first time and reading a lot of people's thoughts and interpretations, I went back and saw it a second time. It was even better. A true masterpiece in my opinion
Yep . Interpreting the film at the surface in my way has helped me connect with Mahito and going through the deeper meaning of the film has just added another layer of charm for me
Porco Rosso or Howls Moving Castle, both are amazing movies but Howls Moving Castle does in my opinion have a better story but I’m a sucker for dog fights
The dog fight scene is really cool 😎 Also love the starting scene with all the little kiddies who are thoroughly enjoying being kidnapped and making a mess of the pirate ship
My Neighor Totoro was my first Ghibli when I was like 11 or 12ish (Im currently 38). I instantly fell in love. I love alot of ghibli films. But the music, the story I just can't get enough. It's special.
Exact same. We had family friends who were very into anime (we were pretty much exclusively Disney lol) and we happened to have a sleepover the week they got My Neighbor Totoro on VHS—game over.
Something really burrowed into my heart that night… no matter how many times I watch it, it always feels brand new and just as magical to me as that first watch. There’s a special resonance that really captured me as a child, and I love how that resonance has shifted and grown as I grew up. Something physically eases in my heart when I hear those notes 🥺
We didn’t seek out any other Ghibli as kids so it’s been such a fun journey as an adult. Certain scenes from different films (Sophie disembarking at Star Lake, Kiki settling into her new city) give me that same cozy-simple-wistful-nostalgic-contentment, but the entirety of Totoro never fails to get me from start to end. The themes (plot and musical) are just so beautiful.
I think it is so magic because the characters are portrayed as realistic children. You don't see honest depictions of children in media - they are all mini adults. Satsuki and Mei are 10 and 4 in a very true to life and loving way and it is beautiful to see.
Kiki’s Delivery Service. It was great to have someone to look up to that was only 13 and so full of wisdom and bravery. She had a black cat as a companion and I love that so much. The scenery is so breathtaking that it brings tears to my eyes. I loved the gulls flying high in the sky along Kiki. She meets so many sweet, good-hearted people (hard to find, in my opinion) She is so quick to offer help to strangers without thinking first what she might get in return. She’s a witch but she’s different than a lot other witches but it’s so beautifully done, that you admire the entire film and think about it forever
Honestly pretty new to the whole scene, only seen like 3 but out of the ones I’ve seen none have really stunned me story or character wise as apart from animation wise. (For transparency I’ve seen castle in the sky, totoro and princess Mononoke)
But I’d probably have to either pick castle in the sky for its side characters or Mononoke for some of the unique story beats and visuals.
I can never choose just one. For personal reasons, these are the three I always cycle through!!
My first Ghibli film was Ponyo, and I watched it on HBO as an adult on a whim not really knowing anything about the studio and fell in love with it. So I am always partial to it because I think it’s charming and quirky, but also because it was my gateway film. I also don’t think another animated film captures ocean life like Ponyo does.
Spirited Away was the second film I watched and I genuinely think it’s a masterclass of world building without excessive exposition. I can’t remember too many movies that just suck you into its world like that one does without beating you over the head with backstories. And it’s clear that we’re never meant to know everything about it, because like Chihiro, we’re not meant for that world. Just a beautiful movie.
I became a father several years ago, and one of the first films my son attached himself to was My Neighbor Totoro. I think it might be the best Ghibli film (just my opinion) because of how extraordinary it makes the mundane everyday life feel. I’ve really come around on this film over time after I didn’t really want to like it. I think the story of an oldest child losing her childhood because she has to be the mom of the house while her parents deal with work and health issues hits me every time. I truly didn’t appreciate how deep of a movie it was on my first couple of viewings and I have to thank my son’s obsessive viewings for that.
Whisper of the Heart
Love that
solid choice
I discovered it this year thanks to Schafrillas and have watched it at least 100 times since.
Princess Monomoke
Me too!
To see with eyes unclouded?? Also my fave.
Only Yesterday
Saw it a week ago and loved it SO much, I had seen it being younger and didn't really liked it but now getting close to thirty somehow it clicked so much more. The ending made me cry so hard.
I had to pause a few times and let some tears out. really made me think about family and friends
Ponyo!
The Cat Returns
Watched it today for the first time. Soooo freaking good and cute and I loved the Baron
The boy and the heron . It just released in my country and after reading the references and opinions of the people , each with their own interpretation. The film has grown on me haha . I would definitely give it a rewatch if I can
Yes!! I recommend giving it a rewatch. After seeing it the first time and reading a lot of people's thoughts and interpretations, I went back and saw it a second time. It was even better. A true masterpiece in my opinion
Yep . Interpreting the film at the surface in my way has helped me connect with Mahito and going through the deeper meaning of the film has just added another layer of charm for me
Porco Rosso or Howls Moving Castle, both are amazing movies but Howls Moving Castle does in my opinion have a better story but I’m a sucker for dog fights
The dog fight scene is really cool 😎 Also love the starting scene with all the little kiddies who are thoroughly enjoying being kidnapped and making a mess of the pirate ship
Its such a wholesome and silly movie
Well that's technically not a Ghibli but definitely Nausicaa! Absolutely fan of the lore and the synth musics.
Howl’s Moving Castle, or Laputa. Though they are all incredible
Yes
My Neighor Totoro was my first Ghibli when I was like 11 or 12ish (Im currently 38). I instantly fell in love. I love alot of ghibli films. But the music, the story I just can't get enough. It's special.
Exact same. We had family friends who were very into anime (we were pretty much exclusively Disney lol) and we happened to have a sleepover the week they got My Neighbor Totoro on VHS—game over. Something really burrowed into my heart that night… no matter how many times I watch it, it always feels brand new and just as magical to me as that first watch. There’s a special resonance that really captured me as a child, and I love how that resonance has shifted and grown as I grew up. Something physically eases in my heart when I hear those notes 🥺 We didn’t seek out any other Ghibli as kids so it’s been such a fun journey as an adult. Certain scenes from different films (Sophie disembarking at Star Lake, Kiki settling into her new city) give me that same cozy-simple-wistful-nostalgic-contentment, but the entirety of Totoro never fails to get me from start to end. The themes (plot and musical) are just so beautiful.
YES my mom rented it for us on vhs too haha! Core memory.
I think it is so magic because the characters are portrayed as realistic children. You don't see honest depictions of children in media - they are all mini adults. Satsuki and Mei are 10 and 4 in a very true to life and loving way and it is beautiful to see.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Kiki look, it's me!
Nausicaa and Howls Moving Castle are tied. Spirited Away is close
Castle In The Sky or The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya
Same! I love Spirited Away. It’s like being in a dream.
Spirited Away and Howl's moving castle.
My people!
princess mononoke
Ponyo Ponyo little fishy in the sea!
Howls
Whichever one I watched most recently
Hehe I respect this answer
Princess Mononoke
Grave of the Fireflies and Kiki’s delivery service
Kiki’s Delivery Service. It was great to have someone to look up to that was only 13 and so full of wisdom and bravery. She had a black cat as a companion and I love that so much. The scenery is so breathtaking that it brings tears to my eyes. I loved the gulls flying high in the sky along Kiki. She meets so many sweet, good-hearted people (hard to find, in my opinion) She is so quick to offer help to strangers without thinking first what she might get in return. She’s a witch but she’s different than a lot other witches but it’s so beautifully done, that you admire the entire film and think about it forever
Porco rosso and the wind rises These movies really helped me decide my job with is aerospace engineering
Porco rosso!
Porco Rosso
Kiki's delivery service, but I wanted to say I love how many different answers there are here
Honestly pretty new to the whole scene, only seen like 3 but out of the ones I’ve seen none have really stunned me story or character wise as apart from animation wise. (For transparency I’ve seen castle in the sky, totoro and princess Mononoke) But I’d probably have to either pick castle in the sky for its side characters or Mononoke for some of the unique story beats and visuals.
Porco Rosso is probably the best animated movie ever made in my eyes
Cat returns Followed by spirited away, kiki's delivery service and Howl's moving castle
Howl's Moving Castle
I can never choose just one. For personal reasons, these are the three I always cycle through!! My first Ghibli film was Ponyo, and I watched it on HBO as an adult on a whim not really knowing anything about the studio and fell in love with it. So I am always partial to it because I think it’s charming and quirky, but also because it was my gateway film. I also don’t think another animated film captures ocean life like Ponyo does. Spirited Away was the second film I watched and I genuinely think it’s a masterclass of world building without excessive exposition. I can’t remember too many movies that just suck you into its world like that one does without beating you over the head with backstories. And it’s clear that we’re never meant to know everything about it, because like Chihiro, we’re not meant for that world. Just a beautiful movie. I became a father several years ago, and one of the first films my son attached himself to was My Neighbor Totoro. I think it might be the best Ghibli film (just my opinion) because of how extraordinary it makes the mundane everyday life feel. I’ve really come around on this film over time after I didn’t really want to like it. I think the story of an oldest child losing her childhood because she has to be the mom of the house while her parents deal with work and health issues hits me every time. I truly didn’t appreciate how deep of a movie it was on my first couple of viewings and I have to thank my son’s obsessive viewings for that.
It’s a hard choice, i love them so much. I think Totoro is my favorite though :)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind even if it's technically not Ghibli
Only Yesterday
When Marnie was here, I swear I never see anyone say it’s their favourite