Neko no Ongaeshi

Baron

The Cat Returns tells a story about a typical Japanese girl, Haru who seems to have a nack in getting in mishaps.

One day, she saves a cat from being run over by a truck. The cat turns out to be the prince of the Cat Kingdom and, in return of the favor, the king has decreed that the whole kingdom would try its best to repay her kindness.

Haru and Baron

Unfortunately for her, none of the "gifts" were fitting for a human, and to add to her troubles, she was also decreed to be married to the prince that she saved.


The Cat Returns is similar to the critically-acclaimed movie Spirited Away in the sense that it begins in normal Japan and shifts to parallel world later in the story. There, the similarity stops and a whole new adventure begins.

the eccentric king of Cat Kingdom

This film in general borders along humor and fantasy, leaning more towards the former. Haru's naiveness and the antics of the cats put a smile on my face and made my laugh. No one is evil and there are no bad guys. In fact, the worst character is simply and over-eccentric father whose acts seems to be more on the naughty side than evil.

Baron, Muta and Haru

The storyline is simple yet entertaining, the animation splendid as is the trademark of Studio Ghibli. I personally despise cats but it's hard not to like this film. And although it is not the same level as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, this film should not be missed.

It may not be a Miyazaki movie, but it is still a Ghibli movie, and that alone is reason enough to watch it ;)

Hotaru no Haka

an ill Setsuko

Grave of the fireflies is based on an autobiography by Akiyuki Nosaka. In the film, it is set during the bombing of Japan during World War II. It centers around Seita, a loving, headstrong Navy soldier's son and his innocent little sister, Setsuko.

Their fatal struggle for survival begins right at the start when both are bombed out of their home and their mother is seriously wounded. They found her wrapped in bandages in a hospital where she died shortly after that.

The children moved to Nishinomiya to stay with their cold, bitter and self-serving aunt. After butting heads with their aunt long enough, the children decided to run away, setting up shelter in an abandoned cave by the lake. Both try by all means to live off of vegetables or whatever food they can afford to trade or steal to no avail.

dying Seita

Seita and Setsuko

This is certainly one of the more serious Studio Ghibli titles as it revolves around the victims of war. It is such an emotional experience that it's difficult, nearly impossible for many to make it through one sitting. Take one pivotal scene, 

*spoiler alert*

the children's aunt is persuading Seita to give up his mother's garments so they can be sold. Setsuko awakens to see her aunt taking the clothes, and starts screaming; she comes completely undone. Seita is struggling to hold her back and he's coming undone. The kicker is that Setsuko does not know yet her mother had died. All the while, Seita's ghost is watching as he silently narrates and he's coming undone because he could not bear to hear his sister's cries.

The first time I watched Fireflies, I was so overcome at one point of the film that I had to turn the film off. It took me a few days to return to it because it was so hard to watch. Even now, years and several viewings later, it is still suffering to watch it in one sitting. Grave of the Fireflies will always remain a deep, touching experience.

Hauru no ugoku shiro

Sophie

Sophie, a young woman working in a hat shop who encounters a mysterious wizard named Howl in the streets one day finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is subsequently transformed into a 90-year old woman by the wicked Witch of the Waste.

Journeying into the unknown on a quest to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Howl's apprentice Markl and the hotheaded fire demon, Calcifer.

This film is a visual feat because of the stunning animation and characteristically vivid colors. In addition to the beautiful colors, the strong and wonderfully diverse cast of characters is also the film's greatest strength. Though I must say that the characters are more or less stereotypical.

Howl

Howl's apprentice, Markl

Sophie is the vintage vulnerable protagonist while Howl is the brooding guy with a heart of gold, Calcifer is the spastic sidekick and Markl is the curious assistant cum apprentice. These characters are both easily identifable in the roles they fill, while charmingly original in the flair they bring to those roles.

Calcifer, the talking fire

90 year old Sophie

It is not the best Studio Ghibli's production but still it comes down as one of my favorite animation.

Sen to Chihiro Kamikakushi

Chihiro

10-year old Chihiro becomes trapped in a forbidden world of gods and magic when her parents take her to investigate the other side of a train tunnel.

Haku

In order to survive, Chihiro must work and make herself useful, and find within her the courage and resolve the needs for her to save her parents and escape from a world where humans are dispised with the help of a white dragon.

Spirited Away is comparable to Alice in Wonderland as the story of Chihiro going through the tunnel is very much like Alice falling through the rabbit hole. However, the world of Spirited Away in some ways are wilder and more surreal than Alice in Wonderland, yet at the same time more believable and coherent as well.

For a film that's aimed at such a young audience, I found it surprisingly profound. The story's underlying theme concerns the importance of names and promises. When Chihiro is employed by Yubaba, the witch who rules the spirit world, Chihiro has to renounce her own name which she needs in order to free herself.

Yubaba and Chihiro

an odd spirit, no face

I must say that there is absolutely no fault with this film. It is beautifully animated, funny, has an arsenal of wildly imaginative characters and an inspiring story with a great soundtrack to support it.

Tonari no Totoro

Satsuke and Mei

Two young girls, Satsuke and her younger sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother.

Satsuke and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures called Totoros. They soon befriend these Totoros and have several magical adventures.

This is a gentle, and enchanting film which is easy to fall in love with because the theme is mystical and imaginative. One thing that really attached me to this film is the freedom, sincerity and variety of emotional expression the characters used, especially Satsuke, Mei and Totoro, the furry forest friend.

There are a lot of magical adventures to be found in this film from flying with umbrellas to catching a giant living cheshire cat bus that leaps from three top to tree top to get around. A very gentle film with colorful and expressionate animation; youthful, lovable and free spirited characters.

cheshire cat bus that leaps around

flying with umbrellas

The forest spirit, Totoro had also made a huge cultural impact to have appeared in non-Japanese works such as Comedy Central's South Park and Pixar's Toy Story 3.

Totoro as seen in Toy Story 3

It made me feel like a kid again every time I watch this film, thanks to the lively characters.

Mononoke-hime

Ashitaka

While protecting his village from rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west.

Once there, he's embroiled in a fierce campaign that humans from the Iron Town were raging on the forest.

San, Princess Mononoke

The ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan use their guns against the gods of the forest and a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke who was raised by a wolf-god.

Lady Eboshi

Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flood of blood. This is met by animosity by both sides as they each see him as supporting the enemy.

A masterpiece, not just an Anime. This is an original modern fable. Princess Mononoke (pronounced as Princess Mononokeh) is one of the most original and unique animation I've seen. It does not draw from any particular genre or type. Despite it being a animation, there is a considerable level of violence and the situations are geared towards adults.

I recall the first time I've watched this when I was younger, I was terrified by the elements of demons, spirits and curses. But some of the scenes were so surreal that my fear did not bother me anymore. Especially when the forest spirit transformed from a deer-like kirin to a "night walker".

This film is quite serious, playing upon the theme of man versus nature. It contains many epic qualities such as journeying heroes, wars, and involvement from supernatural gods. However, there is a lack of any sort of romantic plot.

And I would strongly recommend to watch it in the original Japanese audio because the voice acting is much better compared to quality of English dubbing.

This is a definite must see.