Guys... best Ghibli flim, go!

[Freya]

Princess Mononoke.

Followed by Howls.

That's it. Move along.

[Jinx]

Spirited Away.

Followed by Ponyo.

That's it. Move along.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

Nausicaa of the valley of the wind.

Howl's moving castle and laputa: castle in the sky tied for next.


It really depends on my mood though. Any one of them almost can be my favorite depending on my mood.

[Sephex]

Probably Spirited Away followed by Princess Mononoke for me, but aside from a couple I really like them all and can understand why some people would like some over others.

[Night Fury]

Princess Mononoke for me. Love Howls Moving Castle and Kiki's Flying delivery Service

[Slothy]

Princess Mononoke was my first and I'll probably say it's my favourite as well. I should watch that shit again soon.

[krissy]

mononoke then howls then nausicaa (altho nausicaa could do spot 2 too)

[Fox]

Kiki's Delivery Service! Followed by Howl's.

I didn't like Spirited Away much at all BUT it's been over a decade since I watched it and I wasn't really into anime back then... so I feel like it deserves another chance.

[krissy]

same

spirited away made me uncomfortable in a lot of ways but i was a lot younger

[Vermachtnis]

Kiki's Delivery Service. It was my first anime, so yea.

Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle are tied.

[Fynn]

Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle are my favorites

Never got the Spirited Away hype, though

[Psychotic]

I like the one where a naive and wide-eyed young girl goes on a magical adventure.

I was going to use a "So Grave of the Fireflies in other words" punchline but I can't bring myself to do it.

[Bubba]

Howls Moving Castle, all the way. I'm gonna bring everyone down and say Grave of the Fireflies too. I bawled my eyes out at that.

EDIT: How weird, Mr Paulchotic

[Shauna]

A magical adventure where she gets to pretend lumps of mud are delicious meals! What a great time.

Honestly, I am not sure. Give me some time to think and I'll give you an answer.

[Bubba]

A magical adventure where she gets to pretend lumps of mud are delicious meals! What a great time.

Hey, the question was best Ghibli film... not happiest :lol:

[Fynn]

I like the one where people clean the house and make it look so damn satisfying

[charliepanayi]

My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away are tied for me.

Most underrated: Whisper of the Heart
Most overrated: Princess Mononoke

[Cell]

Laputa is the best of the bunch.

Underrated: Ocean Waves
Overrated: Grave of the Fireflies

[Freya]

Kiki's Delivery Service! Followed by Howl's.

I didn't like Spirited Away much at all BUT it's been over a decade since I watched it and I wasn't really into anime back then... so I feel like it deserves another chance.
Yeah Honestly, I also need to give it another try.


My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away are tied for me.

Most underrated: Whisper of the Heart
Most overrated: Princess Mononoke
YOU'RE OVERRATED :mad2:

[Fynn]

Most overrated: Princess Mononoke

gtfo

[Slothy]

Most overrated: Princess Mononoke

Bite my shiny metal ass.

[charliepanayi]

Sorry, it's an impressive film but almost every character in it needs a slap and As hitaka is a less interesting version of Nausicaa.

[maybee]

Love Howls, Princess Kagura and Nausicaa the most :jess:

[Mirage]

I think I'll have to say Howl's Moving Castle. Princess Mononoke is good and i liked it a lot, but I always felt like the ending didn't give me any closure. Not that a movie *must* do that, but I feel like this one should have. Spirited Away was fun, too.

[Lyndis Highwind]

I have to say Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle! I also really like Porco Rosso. It's one of the most watchable ones for me.

[Shauna]

You know, I was looking over them all, and I enjoy them all. Even the weird little ones like My Neighbours the Yamadas was pretty fun. But, I think my own favourite would probably be Spirited Away. It was the first one I watched, and it enthralled me into watching all the rest.

[Formalhaut]

Which one would you guys recommend to a first-time watcher, out of interest? Me and Mr. Carny have never seen any of them, and we might dedicate a weekend as Ghibli Movie Night.

[Mirage]

what sort of a story do you want?

[Formalhaut]

A happy one? I don't know, what sort of stories are present in Studio Ghibli films?

[Shauna]

I'd probably say just watch the top hitters in this thread: Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa Valley of the Wind, My Neighbour Totoro.

(Huh, Totoro was not really mentioned all that much. Well, I'll still throw it down because it is possibly the most marketed Ghibli flick out there)

[Karifean]

NGL I watched Mononoke Hime a few months ago and was just completely disinterested in, like, everything that was going on. What exactly was engaging about it? ^^;

[charliepanayi]

Which one would you guys recommend to a first-time watcher, out of interest? Me and Mr. Carny have never seen any of them, and we might dedicate a weekend as Ghibli Movie Night.

My Neighbour Totoro is sweet and simple and a great introduction. Or maybe Kiki's Delivery Service.

[Mirage]

I didn't find my neighbour totoro very engaging. it's definitely a very simple movie for young children, and young children alone.

i'd recommend howl's moving castle

[chionos]

I thought I knew for sure, but now I can't decide. I love them all. Princess M, Howl's, and Spirited are all incredible. But I also love watching Totoro with my kids. They've all three grown up on that movie and it's a special family tradition at this point. That's our movie. But so is Kiki's and Howl's and Castle in the Sky, et cetera.

As a recommendation, Howl's or maybe Spirited Away. Those two are sure to suck you in.

[Freya]

I say start with howls. You'd like howls.

And honestly the dubs are usually star studded casts and they're done well

[Mirage]

studio ghibli dubs are usually passable, yes. the actors aren't bottom tier.

[Night Fury]

Just gonna throw out that I loved Grave of the Fireflies too, as absolutely heart shattering as it is!

[Scotty_ffgamer]

I still need to see some more of the non-miyazaki directed films. From up on poppy hill was actually pretty enjoyable from miyazaki's son. Only Yesterday was good. My neighbors the yamadas was even enjoyable. Grave of the fireflies is probably the only one I wouldn't watch again despite it being fantastic.

[charliepanayi]

Howl's is easily the weakest Miyazaki film, why do people love it so much? |There are some cool supporting characters but the plot makes no sense and the ending is the most ridiculous deus ex machina.

[Psychotic]

I didn't find my neighbour totoro very engaging. it's definitely a very simple movie for young children, and young children alone.Yeah it's pretty overrated. The design of Totoro and the cat bus are awesome but the actual plot is kinda ehhhhh. Nothing happens!

[Mirage]

yeah it's cute but that's about it. it feels like a movie for children who have just learned enough language to speak, but not much older than that.

Nothing wrong with making movies for that age group of course, it's just not something i'd recommend for teenagers or above.

[Shauna]

I really liked Totoro, because it was just fluff. But I guess as an introduction to Ghibli it may put someone off.

Spirited Away was the highest grossing anime film of all time until this year when Your Name overthrew it (not adjusting for inflation). I'm pinning my colours to this mast for a first time watch.

[Night Fury]

I liked Spirited Away but I didn't LOVE it.

[Fynn]

NGL I watched Mononoke Hime a few months ago and was just completely disinterested in, like, everything that was going on. What exactly was engaging about it? ^^;

Did I just read a death wish? :bigsmile:


Totoro is great because it's a huge nostalgia trip for kids who used to spend a lot of time at the countryside. I'd imagine newer generations of kids might find that hard to relate simple because of how much the world's changed

Also, Howl's is the best because it's magical, whimsical and the cast is perfect

[Formalhaut]

There's a lot of conflicting opinions here. :p

Me and Mr. Carny will be doing our Ghibli weekend starting today! I think we'll start with Spirited Away, as it is probably the most well-known film from the studio. We might watch Howl's Moving Castle as the second film.

[Freya]

Howl's has Calcifer

http://i.imgur.com/D4EQK19.gif

Spirited has the sprites!

http://i.imgur.com/W0YhZPp.gif

And Mononoke has forests spirits!

https://media.giphy.com/media/v38BvJSInBpII/giphy.gif

[Psychotic]

Calcifer is awesome but I have never got the apparent love the forest spirits enjoy. They're just kinda... there.

[Slothy]

How could anyone not understand the love for those creepy ass, rattle headed, forest spirits?

[Fynn]

Jesus, Psy, you're like the worst!

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

Princess Mononoke is the best, hands down. Followed by Spirited Away.

For my Level 2 Japanese class we had to watch Totoro sans subs. Basically, we were expected to have the language skills of a grade 5-6.

As for Nausicaa, the film is alright but the manga? Fucking amazing.

[charliepanayi]

The Nausicaa manga is amazing.

[Formalhaut]

Just finished Spirited Away! It was visually arresting at several points during the film: both me and Mr. Carny highlight the train sequence as a particular highlight.

It has the best beginning and build-up of any film I've seen in awhile. The parents moving through the temple and the grasslands, into the town, was interesting and made you curious about what was to come. The entire bathhouse sequence in the middle was also fun.

I'd say the final third was the weakest section of the film, though even then it was still good. I just feel as if the plot wraps up too quick and neat after she leaves the bathhouse. Meeting the kind witch, suddenly remembering the name, and passing the final test - it was all rather sudden.

Other than that, it was a fantastic film. And that theme song is very nice at the end.

[Mirage]

i'm super glad you both liked it. so i guess that means you're up for more.

[Shauna]

Glad you enjoyed it! Now go watch ~the rest of them~. Only 21 more to go!

[chionos]

Yes, now watch them ALL.

Also, it's confirmed. Psy's mental.

[Karifean]

NGL I watched Mononoke Hime a few months ago and was just completely disinterested in, like, everything that was going on. What exactly was engaging about it? ^^;

Did I just read a death wish? :bigsmile:

No really, it was just like, oh this happened. Oh now this happened. Hmm, now this happened. Now that happened. Now the movie's over. Oh well. shrugs

Oh wait no, there was one exception, the arrow that ripped a guy's fucking arms off was amazing.

[Freya]

Just finished Spirited Away! It was visually arresting at several points during the film: both me and Mr. Carny highlight the train sequence as a particular highlight.

It has the best beginning and build-up of any film I've seen in awhile. The parents moving through the temple and the grasslands, into the town, was interesting and made you curious about what was to come. The entire bathhouse sequence in the middle was also fun.

I'd say the final third was the weakest section of the film, though even then it was still good. I just feel as if the plot wraps up too quick and neat after she leaves the bathhouse. Meeting the kind witch, suddenly remembering the name, and passing the final test - it was all rather sudden.

Other than that, it was a fantastic film. And that theme song is very nice at the end.
I'm super excited that you enjoyed it! We're corrupting you in the best way possible!

[Slothy]

Just finished Spirited Away! It was visually arresting at several points during the film: both me and Mr. Carny highlight the train sequence as a particular highlight.

It has the best beginning and build-up of any film I've seen in awhile. The parents moving through the temple and the grasslands, into the town, was interesting and made you curious about what was to come. The entire bathhouse sequence in the middle was also fun.

I'd say the final third was the weakest section of the film, though even then it was still good. I just feel as if the plot wraps up too quick and neat after she leaves the bathhouse. Meeting the kind witch, suddenly remembering the name, and passing the final test - it was all rather sudden.

Other than that, it was a fantastic film. And that theme song is very nice at the end.
I'm super excited that you enjoyed it! We're corrupting you in the best way possible!

Yes. The exact opposite of how I've corrupted Freya.

[Pike]

My personal favorite was always My Neighbor Totoro. It was the first one I ever watched, I think I was six or seven? And I feel like I just appreciate it more as I grow older. The way the kids are portrayed is (IMO) very realistic and I love the songs. :heart:

[maybee]

Howl's is easily the weakest Miyazaki film, why do people love it so much? |There are some cool supporting characters but the plot makes no sense and the ending is the most ridiculous deus ex machina.


https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/C6fURdTi__hGkVJ71yhuzOrisEI/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-%21%21-:strip_icc-%21%21-/2013/12/18/029/n/3019466/b90f3d55fa7367c6_giphy/i/Do-Avoid-Boring-Work-Topics.gif

[Fynn]

Howl's is easily the weakest Miyazaki film, why do people love it so much? |There are some cool supporting characters but the plot makes no sense and the ending is the most ridiculous deus ex machina.


https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/C6fURdTi__hGkVJ71yhuzOrisEI/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-%21%21-:strip_icc-%21%21-/2013/12/18/029/n/3019466/b90f3d55fa7367c6_giphy/i/Do-Avoid-Boring-Work-Topics.gif

What matters is we know what's good

https://68.media.tumblr.com/9b954d23c3a4b8bcee4b115f6948f223/tumblr_inline_nskq0aaikw1swehz0_500.gif

[charliepanayi]

*shrugs* Trot out as many patronising gifs as you want, doesn't change how lazy the ending is.

[Fox]

Actually the best gibli film is You're Name.

71673

[Karifean]

The hell kind of a title is that.

[Squall Leonhart Loire]

I don't watch any. I remember watching them as a kid but now I just don't care for them.

[Vincent, Thunder God]

I think the only one I've ever watched is Totoro when I was a kid. Maybe I'll have to check out the other ones.

[Cell]

i am a big fan of that ghibli film you are name, yes

[maybee]

*shrugs* Trot out as many patronising gifs as you want, doesn't change how lazy the ending is.

How? Don't understand what you are confused with mate.

Howl is basically : ( in simple explaining )

- Girl has low self esteem and self worth
- Girl is cursed by witch to turn old
- Cure to curse is loving yourself and believing in yourself and having more confidence in yourself
- This is shown in the movie by Sophie getting younger, changing in appearance, being young, but having aged hair.
- Howl helps her be a more confident person
- Sophie in turn also helps Howl be less of a drama queen, and narcissistic.
- Love and kisses.
- Happy end.

:jess:

I could be wrong but that's how I saw everything.

[Fynn]

Pretty much. It's a very simple, personal story.

[Psychotic]

You forgot the best part! The magical talking fire which speaks in a really sassy way!

[Fynn]

And then there's the scarecrow that's actually a prince!


The beauty of this movie is in the details, really

[charliepanayi]

And then there's the scarecrow that's actually a prince!


The beauty of this movie is in the details, really

Yeah, I love how we find this out in the end (without anything leading up to it, though I have heard the dub does this better) and he says he'll sort out this war business, kthxbye

[Fynn]

To be fair, convenient endings are pretty much Miyazaki's Modus Operandi. And to be honest, I think it works pretty much in all of them. Is it realistic? Hell no. But at least we know why the story did introduce the scarecrow, and it really just brushes off the part of the story that isn't really that relevant - what we're meant to care about in the end is Sophie's and Howl's development and romance, and that certainly shines through in the end, I think.

[Freya]

WELLL FORMY?! What were your thoughts about howls?

[Sephiroth]

Spirited Away

[Formalhaut]

It was very good! I loved how different it was to Spirited Away. I'd say I liked both equally.

AND THE MUSIC. The orchestral soundtrack was great. Oh, and Calcifer's great.

In case you're wondering, we're not watching the dub. We're subtitling it. Me and Mr. Carny prefer it, to be honest.

[Karifean]

In case you're wondering, we're not watching the dub. We're subtitling it. Me and Mr. Carny prefer it, to be honest.

:thumb:

[Freya]

But the dubs are greaaaaat. In my opinion. Billy crystal is calicfer! Christian Bale is Howl!

[Psychotic]

Yup dubbin' erryday.

[Cell]

Because Disney actually bother now to get proper actors instead of the scrubs that used to dub seven voices in every anime circa 1970's through to the early 2000's.

[Shauna]

Honestly, I'd recommend the dub. Gives you more opportunity to look at how beautiful everything is without being mildly distracted by having to read things.

[Fox]

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting dubs exist for these things.

I've started reading comics right to left by default now and it has become a minor inconvenience in everyday life

[Mr. Carnelian]

It was very good! I loved how different it was to Spirited Away. I'd say I liked both equally.

AND THE MUSIC. The orchestral soundtrack was great. Oh, and Calcifer's great.

In case you're wondering, we're not watching the dub. We're subtitling it. Me and Mr. Carny prefer it, to be honest.

Personally, I preferred Howl's Moving Castle, but only by a narrow margin. They were both pretty fantastic.

[Pete for President]

Spirited Away is still my favourite, followed up closely by Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Not Ghibli related but still Japanese animation: Millennium Actress directed by Satoshi Kon is my favourite Japanese film and I recommend it to anyone who also liked the ghibli films.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

Satoshi kon is just great in general. I feel like I like all his stuff as well.

[Squall Leonhart Loire]

Personally I don't understand the appeal of anything related to Japan.

[Fox]

Personally I don't understand the appeal of anything related to Japan.

Eh, sou desu ka, Squall-kun? kawaiisou to omoimasu. Nippon no bunka wa totemo omoshiroiin desu.

Also, Takoyaki may be the greatest food ever devised by mankind. Go try some. I went to the local Yo-Sushi the other day where I had takoyaki and okonomiyaki. It was paradise ^_^.

What are people's opinion on the following Ghiblis:

- Ponyo
- Grave of the Fireflies
- The Wind Rises

These are all ones that I haven't had the chance to watch yet.

[Shauna]

They are good. Just make sure you have steeled your heart for Grave of the Fireflies.

[Fynn]

I really liked The Wind Rises!

[Scotty_ffgamer]

The wind rises was great. Pinto is in the lower end of ghibli movies for me, but it's still pretty and enjoyable. Grave of the Fireflies is heart wrenching. It's a great movie, but I can't watch it again just because of how sad it is.

[Cell]

I never realised until watching the Ghibli documentary film that Anno was the voice of the lead character in the Wind Rises. :ffviwhat:

[Fynn]

HOLY trout WHAAAAATTT!!!

I remember him having a distinct voice but I had no idea that was Hideaki frickin' Anno!

[Cell]

HOLY trout WHAAAAATTT!!!

I remember him having a distinct voice but I had no idea that was Hideaki frickin' Anno!



Hideaki Anno ...
Jirô Horikoshi (voice)

It was amusing watching the documentary where Miyazaki says he enjoys bullying Anno.

[Fynn]

Poor Anno


This is why we can't get 3.0+1.0

It's all Miyazaki's fault

[Cell]

Poor Anno


This is why we can't get 3.0+1.0

It's all Miyazaki's fault

In reality, Gendou/Shinji is just a represention of Anno/Miyazaki, with Isao Takahata as SEELE

[Freya]

I haven't had a chance to watch the wind rises yet. Good to hear positive things though!

[Nice]

I will always love Howl's Moving Castle best. Though Nausicaa is close. The Wind Rises was ok, but not a standout to me.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Alright so

I know this is a revived thread, but since most people now have access to a streaming service that has 20+ Ghibli movies (most recently HBO Max) maybe now's a good time to watch a ton of them and give your impressions?

[Fynn]

For us Europeans, all of them our out on Netflix. Just an FYI.

[Vermachtnis]

My answer hasn't changed in the past three years. Still Kiki's Delivery Service.

[Judge Mandolore Shepard]

When it comes to the Ghibli films, the only one I have seen is Kiki's Delivery Service so I will go with that.

[Wolf Kanno]

77209

[qwertysaur]

77209
This

[Freya]

Alright so

I know this is a revived thread, but since most people now have access to a streaming service that has 20+ Ghibli movies (most recently HBO Max) maybe now's a good time to watch a ton of them and give your impressions?

I was very confused about me making a thread when I Hadn't in here in a bit.

Mononoke is still best girl.

[Vyk]

lol necro

Though I was actually just reading this thread a few days ago. Weird

I think for me it's definitely a Miyazaki movie. I personally think Mononoke is the best over-all movie. But my personal favorite is Nausicaa. And neither of them were my first Miyazaki or Ghibli movies, so there's no playing favorites with formative experiences. And while I respect people's choices, I honestly feel like Howl and Spirited are some of the more weaker movies with lots of random nonsense that had little plot relevance that I could tell. I've never went back to Howl's after my first viewing because it was a weirdly disappointing experience, and the only reason I've seen Spirited Away multiple times is because I know so many people who's favorite anime is that one, and I'm engaged to one of those people

Now I'm all for a kooky Alice in Wonderland fever-dream. But I feel like there needs to be a linking thread of consistency woven in and I found it hard to draw that line in those. The overall plots are interesting, especially Spirited. I just lose interest when they just start getting crazy for no apparent reason. It makes it weird to say that I like Laputa more than either movie, because I feel like it's a fairly weak movie, but it's just straightforward and charming and doesn't stray into nonsense for no reason, so it defaults higher on my list. I do find it to be a guilty pleasure though and I'm not sure why I should be ashamed of liking it other than the fact that it's mostly just generic Nausicaa and Mononoke all over again without the stellar writing of Nausicaa or spectacle of either

[krissy]

mononoke hime for sure


/sips orange juice from a wine glass and eyes thread with superior intellect/

[BG-57]

Princess Mononoke, but honorable mentions to Spirited Away and Laputa.

Am I safe in assuming that Tales from Earthsea has no defenders? :p

[Quindiana Jones]

Princess Mononoke, but I love Howl's for being my first.

[BG-57]

Can add Luca as an honorable mention? It felt very much in the spirit of a Ghibli film.