Review Tales

I vividly remember watching “My Neighbor Totoro” having no idea who Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli was. While watching it, I felt the film transporting me to the film’s world and dream along with the creator. Since then, Miyazaki who is one of the founders of Studio Ghibli has changed the image of Japanese animated films. The films directed by Miyazaki had the mark of a classic and he has been one of the most important auteurs alive today. 

There are some similar tropes in his films that show his love for nature, European architecture, planes, and even witches who we’re quite familiar with as a character in Disney films. Goro Miyazaki who is the son of Hayao Miyazaki has said that his films made him understand his father more.

I find myself similar since his films are more personal and his earnestness and poignant filmmaking had many of us re-evaluate and reckon with our own life. Before beginning to rank his works, I’d like to say there isn’t a bad Miyazaki film but just better films.

12) Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

One of Miyazaki’s earlier works before Studio Ghibli was founded. It had the magic of the narrative in Princess Mononoke but just feels clunkier in handling the themes of the film. It’s still a great journey where the fantasy elements of it make us in awe with its world and characters which is a consistent quality of all the Miyazaki films.

11) Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

 Miyazaki’s debut feature film. It’s such a fun adventure movie like Tintin but just so much better in terms of kinetic energy in its animation and its wacky style. It’s unlike any other Miyazaki film. Miyazaki’s Lupin is different than his popular characterization of a brutal outlaw and is a daring choice to make him and the film more human. 

10)  Ponyo (2008)

The world of Ponyo is so cute and beautiful to look at. The plotless scenes in the first half are absolutely fascinating like the scene where Ponyo meets the film’s protagonist Sausuke in his house. Them helping his mom cook and eating that delicious food is an iconic scene in my heart. Moments like this is why it gained its status as one of the great Miyazaki works. 

9) The Boy and The Heron (2023)

One of Miyazaki’s most honest works. The opening minutes make it feel like a slow-burn horror and develop into a classic Miyazaki narrative once its lead character Mahito goes to the other world. Miyazaki’s bold narrative doesn’t shy away from showing both the beauty and brutality of life. Mahito’s journey is a great catharsis for the character in accepting and re-evaluating his place in the world beyond its flaws and pain that inflicted him. Such a poignant work of art that I think will age better and be celebrated more.

8) Castle in the Sky (1986)

 Right from its amazing opening sequence, the film has kept me in its clutches of excitement and grandeur journey with great characters. Especially Dola who is the leader of the pirate gang makes the film such a joy to watch. It’s interesting when characters like Dola appear in Miyazaki’s films and you feel like she’s going to be the villain but one of my favorite things his films do is a subversion of such characters who as we learn more about as the film goes on, we connect with and love them more.

7)  Porco Rosso (1992)

Miyazaki’s love for European architecture and classic Hollywood is more visible in this film. It’s one of his most entertaining works Many shots of its lead Porco flying his plane through the clouds is pure bliss. It’s a fascinating look at a character who’s ambiguous, and he’s quite similar to the Cagney and Bogart characters in a noir. Very joyous film despite its dark themes.

6) Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

An interesting slice-of-life narrative about a girl who’s learning to be a witch. It has a lot of great supporting characters and features some great interactions between them. I still remember the scene where the dog saves Kiki’s cat and Kiki’s interaction with the painter Ursula. I won’t forget the baker and his wife Osono who is living the time of their lives in the film. I aspire to be them.  

5) Princess Mononoke (1997)

I saw this as a complex Western where the demigods are on one side and the humans are on the other end. And our protagonist is right smack in the middle. Great imagery which is remarkable and has a riveting portrayal of violence where it’s not just a battle of good and evil. As I said before, we have a character like Lady Eboshi who would be perceived as a villain at first but as we learn more about her, our perspective changes. A challenging film that reckons with how as humans, we have a huge responsibility to protect nature.

4) My Neighbor Totoro (1989)

This is my introduction to Miyazaki’s films and since then, I have always been fascinated by its world and characters. Totoro is such a beautiful character and my unrealistic desire is to hug his tummy, I know if that happens I will have the biggest smile on my face that I had throughout the film. A comfort film for many of us. 

3) The Wind Rises (2013)

I found The Wind Rises quite honest and sincere. It reveals more as you rewatch it. I am still in awe of its central romance where both people help each other to grow which is a tragic portrait of characters who are trying to live the thread of life that’s left as the world crumbles down right before them. The whole sequence in the hotel and how Miyazaki subtly deals with Jiro’s failures and war is a masterful touch. 

2) Spirited Away (2001)

Miyazaki’s iconic portrait reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. I was not prepared for how weird the film is as a fantasy. For me, it’s one of the most Fellini-esque films. The character development of Chihiro is the soul of the film. The growth is not sudden but something that’s always inside them.

1) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

I gotta say the primary reason why Howls is my favorite Miyazaki is because of my adoration of the Witch of the Waste. Again one of my favourite tropes where a villain evolves into a more interesting character. It is best known for its romance between Sophia and Howl. But the film’s striking depiction of war is so important in the film’s theme. Beyond the many beauties and mysteries of our world, it makes us see the violence that’s been going on in the world. The compassion and love it has for its characters is where the magic of the film remains.

Hayao Miyazaki is nothing below a legend in the world of cinema, for his work cannot be regarded to be anything less than a masterpiece, in terms of a complicated feeling integrated into a storyline that is as beautiful as it is deep. The stories that Miyazaki tells have the power to touch the universal truths, with messages that supporters can take a long, wrapped in dazzling eyestrain and wondrous worlds of the imagination. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Miyazaki creates art that not only entertains but also inspires and enlightens, leaving an everlasting impression on audiences of all ages.