Guilty pleasure or not, Studio Ghibli movies have been enchanting fans and audiences since time immemorial. Its vast creativity, breathtaking visuals, and heartfelt storytelling are the reasons why this well-crafted beauty thrived since 1995.
Sometimes, we dare to compare. There are actually themes which are synonymous to each other but we can’t hep but just let it go like that—it’s Ghibli over again. Lessons are meant to be absorbed and things just get in their way and we love them.
You might want to check these and feel the reminiscence of your childhood, your dreams, and life’s greatest what ifs:
OCEAN WAVES
Well, this might not ring a bell to people who are fans of Totoro and Kiki but Ocean Waves strikes very differently. ‘Ocean Waves’ tells the story of high schooler boys Taku Morisaki and Yutaka Matsuno. It shows us how the arrival of a female transfer student affected their friendship.
This Ghibli movie is charming and an effective illustration of a how a little bit of distance can go a long way. This drama is so much different but it’s sure vibrant along the way. Meanwhile, Miyazaki and Takahata’s magic may not charm as much as this one, but still justice of its art was still served. ‘Ocean Waves’ deserves the attention for it tells a whole idea that teenager feelings are like the waves—they are ever changing.
WHISPER OF THE HEART
‘Whisper of the Heart’ is a perfect Ghibli film for bibliophiles. This is a cute love story between a girl who loves reading books and a boy who previously checked out all of the library books she chooses. Other Ghibli films focused on the fantasy-ish era with a lot of amazing superpowers and divine characters while this one is just a representation of the mundane—raw and very personal.
The setting is truly exquisite as it truly features modern Tokyo in 1995. This navigation in an urban setting is relatable for teens and young adults who have moved out to the big city for better creative opportunities, or who have grown up in its shadow.
ONLY YESTERDAY
This Ghibli movie is a tale of finding yourself and your place in a fast-moving world. ‘Only Yesterday’ is a story of Taeko in two different timelines. Her life in 1982 where she’s in her late 20s, working at an office and is trying to escape the demands of life like marriage and settling down.
On the other hand, it also shows her life in 1966 when she was 10 years old—enjoying her life in school and family. This is one of the most mature, sophisticated, and poignant films brought into an animated style-like storytelling.
WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE
‘When Marnie Was There’ is a gorgeous adaptation of a classic children’s novel that balances themes like loneliness, family, love, and friendship in a way that it’s never condescending and pushy.
This is a story of a young girl who is sent to the country for health reasons and then she meets a young girl in blonde hair and that’s when things start to happen. The old-school aesthetic brings nostalgic memories of childhood while addressing the cruel twists and turns of life itself.
FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
This tells the story of high school girl living in her grandmother’s boarding house. She met a guy in their school’s newspaper club and decided to get close to one another. ‘From Up On Poppy Hill’ stands out from the rest of Ghibli movies ever created because of its architectural sketches with a mix of gentle teen romance, and warm vibes.
This might lack feelings in the magical world as it tackles about life but its atmosphere is so potent, rich, and beautifully rendered that will strike your different types of emotions.
