02. July 2017
My Favorite Studio Gibli Movies
Howl’s Moving Castle
This movie is magical. There is so much going on, including but not limited to a traveling castle, a funny fire demon, and a sweet girl who is a bossy grandma at heart. And then there’s Howl, the famous heart-devouring wizard. So, yeah. Lots to love.
Sophie starts off as the dutiful sister, resigned to her fate, all the while perfectly ready for some amazing adventure to fall into her lap. I’m sure that adventure is much different than she expected, but it was exactly what she needed.
One of my favorite parts about Sophie is she loves being an old lady. Somehow, that temporary exterior gives her the confidence to be as grumpy and ridiculous as she wants. After all, old people can get away with anything. She bosses Calcifer around, teases Markl, and snaps at Howl to shape up and get over himself.
She takes charge of that flying castle.
Along the way, she changes her life and saves both Howl and Calcifer. Also the country, but you know. Sophie is adorable and heartfelt, a true heroine. She makes Howl a better person, and going on an adventure forces her to embrace herself and be a hero.
_Spirited A_way
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This was the first Studio Gibli movie I ever saw, and it changed my life. Because of this movie, I hunted down and watched every movie made by the genius Hayao Miyazaki.
Chihiro starts off as a spoiled child, complaining about having to move away from her friends. As she and her parents stumble on the entrance to the spirit world, her parents fail to see it for what it is. They are punished for their greed, but Chihiro is helped by Haku and Kamaji. She faces Yubaba and lands a job at the bath house. Now Chihiro not only has to save her parents and escape the spirit world, she actually has to work for once in her life.
Lin guides Chihiro through the bath house life with blunt sass and surprising kindness. Chihiro and Haku become good friends as they help each other in their challenges. When Haku is poisoned, Chihiro fights to save his life. She tracks down Zeniba, discovers Haku’s true identity, faces Yubaba, and saves her parents.
By the end of the story, Chihiro has learned that love is something worth fighting for. It’s not just her parents she saves, but Haku and even herself.
My Neighbor Totoro
This story is so adorably strange. That’s what Studio Gibli does best. I especially love watching this movie with my sisters because of Satsuki and Mei. Their mother is sick but they make the best of their new home and turn it into a fun adventure.
Satsuki is so protective of Mei and teaches her how to behave, but she also has fun with her rambunctious sister. They stumble upon soot spirits in the attic and bunny spirits in the garden. Mei follows the creatures into the woods one day and discovers Totoro, a giant rabbit who loves to sleep. She is not deterred at all by his size or strangeness, simply delighted at a new friend.
I love that Satsuki and Mei are voiced by Dakota and Elle Fanning, sisters in real life. It just makes this story so much better and is a nice addition to the lovely oddness of Satsuki and Mei’s tale of their neighbor Totoro.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki is a young witch coming of age. She leaves her home and family in search of her purpose in life. Cat and radio in tow, Kiki settles on a beach town further south of any influence of magic. As a witch, she is a novelty. People in her new home are not used to a witch. They have no need for potions or spells.
Kiki stumbles on her new profession by accident, as a delivery girl. With her broom, delivery is easier and faster unless there’s a storm of course. The problem is, witch’s aren’t meant to be delivery girls. They are meant to use their magic on a deeper level than just convenience.
Kiki has to look deep within herself to decide what she wants to do with her magic and what it means to her.
This movie has more of a modern sciency feel to it. There are innovative inventions and the struggle of a modern society that truly does not need magic. There’s a reason Kiki is the only witch to grace their streets, but she wants to make it her home and finds a way to make it work.
These movies are delightful and childlike in their strange beauty. They are truly works of art.