It's cinematic anime at it's peak! Join Ashley as we look over what we believe to be the best flicks to ever come from Studio Ghibli
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00:00 Let's roll!
00:01 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down what we believe to be the most magical
00:06 of masterpieces to come from Miyazaki and his legendary studio.
00:11 How do you know my true name?
00:13 You told me yourself.
00:15 Number 20, Pompoko.
00:17 Yes, there is a scene involving Tanuki inflating their you-know-whats in order to take down
00:23 a police squadron.
00:24 It's as weird as it is hilarious.
00:34 But the film is thankfully more than just that, focusing on a community of the shapeshifting
00:39 fluffballs as they try to adapt to the world around them, with their home constantly under
00:45 threat of urban expansion.
00:48 It's one of Ghibli's earliest environmental pieces, and while not exactly the most fluid
00:55 or dynamic of flicks, it's still a fun watch.
00:58 Especially if you're in the mood for some wickedly tripping visuals.
01:08 Number 19, Only Yesterday.
01:14 An intimate examination of how the small pleasures of childhood ultimately give way and can be
01:20 lost to the taxing responsibilities of being an adult, Only Yesterday is a smaller yet
01:26 still beautiful character exploration bursting with all that Ghibli goodness.
01:33 It's certainly heavy on the flashbacks, but thankfully, Taiko's personal journey
01:38 is compelling enough to keep our attention wrapped.
01:41 Thanks to the recent dub bringing it back into our lives, we're grateful this one
01:46 didn't get swept under the rug, given how sweet and soulful the end result was.
02:03 Number 18, From Up On Poppy Hill.
02:12 Granted it does have a somewhat problematic twist that will hit you like a haymaker, though
02:18 one that is thankfully resolved come the climax.
02:21 Which is a major relief, because this is undoubtedly Garo Miyazaki's best work to date.
02:27 It would have been a crime to spoil such a bright, hopeful and uplifting tale of young
02:32 love.
02:33 With the horrors of the Second World War fading into memory, the film follows a group of students
02:38 as they put their best efforts forward to not only try to realise their futures, but
02:43 also leave their mark via the renovation of an iconic clubhouse.
02:48 The goodwill and charm here is downright infectious.
02:56 Number 17, The Cat Returns.
02:59 Who would have guessed a one-off side character from an older Ghibli film could headline his
03:04 own production?
03:06 Good thing too, because The Cat Returns is an utterly delightful venture.
03:18 Happenstance leads to a young girl being taken to the Kingdom of Cats, and a potential marriage
03:23 to their prince.
03:25 Thankfully, the ever-gentlemanly Baron arrives on the scene to cut short the proceedings,
03:31 leading to the best kind of fluffy chaos.
03:38 The swashbuckling nature of the rescue, along with its quick-fire pace, harkens back to
03:43 the adventure flicks of old, though one saturated with Ghibli's signature fantastical edge.
03:50 Plus, it has Tim Curry as the King of Cats – can't go wrong there.
03:55 Number 16, The Boy and the Heron.
04:02 Whether it's his final film or not, Miyazaki has once again shown that he's still got
04:07 it.
04:08 At least when it comes to crafting magical worlds filled with creatures and imagery that
04:12 blends the natural with the macabre.
04:15 As a young boy tries to deal with a change of home in the aftermath of his mother's
04:20 death, the arrival of the titular heron whisks him away on a mission to rescue her.
04:27 Naturally, there's more to it than meets the eye, as for every enchanted entity encountered
04:36 along the way, Mahito must come to grips with what he can and can't change.
04:41 If this is Miyazaki's swan song, then we're thrilled he could end on such a high note.
04:51 Number 15, The Secret World of Arrietty.
05:01 Ghibli has a beautiful track record of taking Western properties – especially books – and
05:06 turning them into charming animated features.
05:10 While light on dramatic and personal stakes, Arrietty still hits its mark.
05:15 The sense of scale is staggering, as Arrietty and her thimble-sized family attempt to make
05:21 a new home for themselves amongst the confines of a lived-in house.
05:26 Their interactions with regular humans might be passé, but it's worth watching alone
05:30 for the scenes in which Arrietty goes about her daily life.
05:34 The creativity practically seeps into the scene, plus the soundtrack is low-key incredible.
05:52 Number 14, The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
05:55 When a bamboo cutter and his wife discover a tiny girl within a stalk of bamboo, their
06:01 lives – and the lives of their village – change forever.
06:05 The first thing that comes to mind with "The Tale of Princess Kaguya" is how undeniably
06:10 gorgeous the film is.
06:12 Boasting an impressive art direction by utilising the ink-washing style, it's clear that this
06:18 is some of the best animation Ghibli has put out to date, courtesy of the masterful late
06:22 director Isao Takahata.
06:34 It's no wonder this film went on to join the ranks of Studio Ghibli gems that have
06:45 been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
06:50 It is criminal that it didn't win.
07:01 Number 13, When Marnie Was There.
07:04 Another literary, western adaptation, another banger.
07:08 Another Ghibli film that will have you openly weeping.
07:15 Upon relocating into the Japanese countryside, quietly hostile Anna finds herself finding
07:20 companionship with the mysterious Marnie.
07:24 While the true nature of Marnie's identity makes for an intriguing plot thread, the true
07:29 joy and crux of the film is the relationship between these girls.
07:33 Their dynamic is the sweetest, with Marnie's curious and compelling nature slowly bringing
07:39 the depressed Anna out of her shell.
07:46 It's a film that explores the beauty and bitter facets of love and friendship, and
07:54 that bonds are something to be treasured no matter how much time passes by.
07:59 Number 12, Ponyo.
08:01 Ready to watch a young human-fish hybrid run on a giant fish-shaped tidal wave just to
08:06 find the boy she likes, as well as get herself a slice of ham?
08:16 Welcome to Ponyo, where the only thing crazier than the visuals are the mother's driving
08:21 skills.
08:22 It's a wild, magical ride, sprinkling in the necessity of protecting the ocean with
08:27 the sweet-natured tale of two kids from two different worlds making the best of their
08:32 time together.
08:33 Doesn't hurt that Ponyo might just be one of Ghibli's cutest creations.
08:41 Number 11, Whisper of the Heart.
08:44 Set in modern-day Japan, the film follows Shizuku and her blossoming romance with violin
08:50 maker Seiji.
09:01 Whisper of the Heart is a deeply personal story about creativity and the ups and downs
09:06 of teenage love, with a few dream sequences for extra fun.
09:11 This film is a notable entry, as it was one of the first Studio Ghibli films to be directed
09:16 by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata.
09:20 It's a gorgeous film that showed the promise of director Yoshifumi Kondo, who sadly passed
09:26 away shortly after the film's completion.
09:29 It introduced us to the barren amidst its collection of now-iconic dream sequences,
09:35 and also gave us one hell of a spin on the timeless classic that is "Take Me Home,
09:40 Country Road."
09:41 Caught amidst the tail end of World War II, siblings Sator and Setako endeavour to survive
09:58 in a war-torn Japan.
10:00 Many consider this film to be one of the most heartbreaking anime of all time.
10:05 It's a harsh, realistic look at youth struggling to get by in the darkest of times.
10:14 As unrelentingly sad as it may be, the film's dedication to its tone – in animation, no
10:19 less – has earned it considerable praise.
10:22 Grave of the Fireflies displayed that Studio Ghibli could not just churn out great fantasy,
10:28 but also heart-tugging tragedy and the truth in the same breath.
10:40 What happens when you mix together dogfights, sky pirates, espionage and an anthropomorphic
10:45 pig?
10:47 One of the most bizarre yet entertaining entries in Ghibli's early catalogue.
10:59 A former flying ace turned bouncy hunter, Porco not only has to deal with a curse that
11:04 has left him in his new swine state, but also prepares to test his wings against a rival
11:10 pilot from America – all the while dealing with a spunky new sidekick.
11:14 It's as close to a spy thriller as Ghibli is ever likely to make, helmed by one of their
11:20 most underrated leads.
11:32 If you weren't aware of Miyazaki's adoration for all things aviation, you will be, after
11:37 this homage to the legacy and life of aircraft engineer, Jiro Horikoshi.
11:50 It can be argued that the film chooses to gloss over the destruction that his creations
11:54 caused over the course of World War II.
11:57 But, to be fair, its focus does remain on Jiro's enthusiasm for his craft, as well
12:02 as the tender relationship shared with his beloved wife, which is as wholesome as it
12:08 gets.
12:09 Historical significance aside, the way in which the narrative follows Jiro's career
12:13 paints the picture of a man driven by a desire to simply elevate that which he loves.
12:18 It's a respectful portrayal of a creative genius, painted by another, one that knows
12:24 how to dazzle.
12:34 This was where it all began.
12:36 The story of Pazu and Princess Sheeta's quest to find the fabled flying castle Laputa
12:41 was the first official release from Studio Ghibli.
12:45 Many of the creative team's core elements are on full display – a deeply imaginative
12:50 world, endearing main characters, and excitement and danger at every turn.
13:04 This was the film that set the course for Studio Ghibli's resume for the next 30 years,
13:09 and still holds up even against modern anime of today.
13:13 Many call this a perfect adventure film, and who are we to argue?
13:31 When Satsuki and her younger sister Mei move out to the countryside, the last thing they
13:35 expect to see is a giant, furry beast with a wide-eyed smile.
13:41 That same lovable monster, known as Totoro, has been Studio Ghibli's mascot ever since
13:46 the film debuted.
13:48 While the film doesn't have a lot of conflict, it's not really needed to make a great story.
13:57 Much of that is left to the enjoyable bond between the two sisters, and the unexpected
14:02 adventures they get into with Totoro and his companions.
14:05 It's a film for the ages, plus it has Catbus.
14:10 Everybody loves Catbus.
14:13 So, this one is a little bit of a cheat.
14:21 Nasuka was released just prior to the founding of Studio Ghibli.
14:26 It still showcases the studio's high-quality animation and dedication to fleshing out characters.
14:33 Featured themes of environmentalism and empowering young women to save the day, Nasuka has been
14:39 a title beloved by animation fans worldwide.
14:50 Despite appearing before Ghibli's inception, Nasuka is still regarded as one of their films.
14:57 As such, it has been re-released several times under the Studio Ghibli banner.
15:05 In this coming-of-age classic, young witch Kiki heads off to the big city to learn her
15:16 craft.
15:17 She ends up using her slowly developing powers to run a delivery service for the town she
15:21 resides in.
15:27 Kiki is an instantly likeable character with a drive and optimism that makes her a true
15:33 role model.
15:34 The film also boasts a great amount of humour, particularly from Kiki's adorable sidekick,
15:40 Gigi, and some heart-racing action sequences once Kiki really kicks her broom into high
15:46 gear.
15:47 Seeing Kiki overcome all challenges, personal and external, is part of what makes this comfy
15:52 little film a treat for all audiences.
16:12 Based on the beloved novel, this fantasy flick follows Sophie, an enchanting girl turned
16:17 into an old woman by a wicked witch.
16:20 Searching for a cure, Sophie comes across the wandering castle of Howl, and soon finds
16:25 herself joining a motley crew of eclectic characters.
16:29 Howl's moving castle boasts some of the best quality animation the studio has to offer.
16:34 There's still plenty of room for good story, featuring themes of building confidence and,
16:39 of course, innocent love.
16:41 Howl was so brilliant, it even netted a nomination for Best Animated Feature after its release.
16:49 Princess Mononoke
16:51 In a land where humans are in constant battle with forest spirits, wayward Prince Ashitaka
16:56 teams up with Sen, a girl raised by the wolves of the land, to bring balance and save himself
17:02 from a dreaded curse.
17:05 Majestic, powerful, exciting and gorgeous, Princess Mononoke was a true game-changer.
17:18 With stellar animation, a story of a grandiose scale and some of Ghibli's greatest characters,
17:25 it's no wonder that many consider it the peak of the medium.
17:33 The film's also noteworthy for being one of the studio's more violent films.
17:37 We're talking a hefty amount of blood here.
18:04 It just doesn't get better than this.
18:07 Following young Chihiro's journeys through a supernaturally populated bathhouse, "Spirited
18:12 Away" is a triumph of the imagination.
18:15 There are so many creatures and working parts to this world, that every single frame contains
18:20 something of beauty.
18:22 "Spirited Away's" brilliant storytelling made it an accessible film to even those unfamiliar
18:28 to the anime landscape.
18:35 Decades on, it remains a captivating, haunting and heart-warming escapade that only Ghibli
18:41 and Miyazaki could ever deliver.
18:43 It's a pinnacle film that generations will come to adore ad infinitum.
18:54 Which Ghibli film is your favourite?
18:57 Let us know in the comments below.
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