Table of Contents
- About Studio Ghibli
- The history of Studio Ghibli
- The Castle in the Sky (1986)
- Tomb of Fireflies (1988)
- My Friend Totoro (1988)
- Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
- Memories of Yesterday (1991)
- Porco Rosso: The Last Romantic Hero (1992)
- I Can Hear the Ocean (1993)
- Pom Poko: The Great Battle of the Raccoons (1994)
- Whispers of the Heart (1995)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- My Neighbors, The Yamadas (1999)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- Kingdom of Cats (2002)
- The Animated Castle (2004)
- Tales from Earthsea (2006)
- Ponyo - A Friendship From the Sea (2008)
- Little World (2010)
- From Kokuriko Hill (2011)
- Lives in the Wind (2013)
- The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
- Marnie's Memories (2014)
- Aya and the Witch (2020)
- The Boy and the Crane (2024)
O Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded in June 15th, 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki e Yasuyoshi Tokuma. Today, it is possible to say that the studio has transcended the boundaries of entertainment and has become a true form of artistic and cultural expression. He has been a source of captivating storytelling with stunning visuals that delight audiences around the world.
About Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli's works mostly feature young protagonists and strong women, and often explore complex and universal themes, such as the relationship between nature and technology, and humanity as a whole. Because of their unique ability to capture the essence of the human experience, Studio Ghibli films have crossed all cultural boundaries, deeply touching people of all ages and backgrounds.
In the animation industry, Studio Ghibli's films have not only delighted audiences, but have also served as a source of inspiration for countless filmmakers and artists. Its unique visual style and profound messages have received numerous acclaim from critics and earned well-deserved recognition both in Japan and around the world. Studio Ghibli's legacy in the animation industry is indisputable. Its influence continues to inspire new generations of artists and filmmakers, solidifying its place as one of the most important and influential studios in the history of animation.
The history of Studio Ghibli
It is impossible to tell the story of Studio Ghibli not to mention Hayao Miyazaki who is today one of the biggest names in Japanese cinema. Miyazaki was born on January 5, 1941, in Tokyo, during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. His father, Katsuji Miyazaki, had a company that manufactured rudders for Japanese fighter jets, which allowed his family to prosper during the boy's early years.
The war experience and connection with his father's company made planes a constant presence in Miyazaki's life, something he deeply incorporated into his films. His works are full of aircraft scenes and explore themes related to aviation.
Continuing with events that shaped his life, at the age of three, Miyazaki and his family had to flee several bombings, an experience that made him adopt a more pacifist view of the world and understand the destructive capacity of human beings.
Your mother, Fate, also had a significant influence on his life. She was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis when Miyazaki was just six years old and passed away in July 1983, aged 71. Her memory was immortalized in her works, being for him one of the main female references.
Miyazaki's interest in animation began in childhood while attending school. However, it was only in the 60s that his career in the animation industry really began. He took his first steps working on Toei Animation, where he served as an intermediary artist on projects such as the animated feature film “Doggie March” and in the television series “Ken the Wolf Boy".
After that, in 1968, he worked as chief animator, concept artist, and set designer on “Horus: The Prince of the Sun”. During production, Miyazaki worked very closely with Yasuo Otsuka, his mentor, whose approach to animation strongly influenced him. It was also in this same film that he worked for the first time with I, a director, producer and screenwriter with whom he would work for the rest of his career.
Hayao Miyazaki left Toei in August 1971 and even worked at other companies, where he led several projects. However, it was only in the 1980s that, alongside I, Toshio Suzuki e Yasuyoshi Tokuma, he co-founded the studio that would forever mark his name in the history of animation: the Studio Ghibli.
The first project released by the studio was “The Castle in Heaven“, in 1986. And it was in him that we could most clearly see the influence of Miyazaki’s family on his works. In addition to the incredible action scenes on board planes, which became the director's trademark, the film also brought deep reflections on humanity. The release of the film was a success and ended up becoming the biggest grossing film of the year in Japan.
With the launch and success of the first project directed by Miyazaki, Isao Takahata did not want to be left behind and released it in 1988 “The Grave of the Fireflies“, which is considered one of the studio’s most striking works. The film is a gripping narrative that portrays the horrors of war from the perspective of two Japanese children during World War II.
Another great success, also released in 1988, but this time directed by Miyazaki is “My Totoro Friend“, in which the creature that gives the film its name became a children's symbol in Japan, in addition to, of course, being the face of the studio's own logo.
Despite being part of the same studio, the directors maintained a certain healthy rivalry in the production of films, resulting in the release of several feature films in a short period of time and thus ensuring the financial stability of Studio Ghibli. Currently, the studio has more than 22 films in its catalogue, almost all directed by Hayao Miyazaki e I.
The films were so successful that, in 2001, the Ghibli Museum, a space entirely dedicated to the studio's works, located in Tokyo, Japan. The place offers a unique immersion in the magical world of the studio's animations, with interactive exhibitions, exclusive film screenings and enchanting architecture.
They also received several nominations for major film awards, such as the film “A Viagem de Chihiro”, which came to win 35 awards around the world, including the Oscar for Best Animated Film in 2003, becoming the first non-English film to win the award to date.
Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement in 2013, but reversed his decision to work on one last film. Today, at 83 years old, with more than six decades of career and 45 years since the release of his first film, Miyazaki presented to the world “The Boy and the Crane“, his newest work that promises to be one of his most profound works.
Want to know more about each of the films in the Studio Ghibli and everything about your new film The Boy and the Crane? Today, we have separated for you a list telling you a little more about all the films that have already been released by the studio. The coolest thing about this list is that almost all of these films are available to watch on Netflix. Check out the full list and pick your favorite!
The Castle in the Sky (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | Metacritic: 78 | IMDB: 8.0
Original title: Tenkū no Shiro Rapyu
The Castle in Heaven it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The first film released by Studio Ghibli was based on Gulliver's Travels and came to earn about 16 million U.S. $ at box office.
The animation tells the story of the young orphan Sheeta, who manages to escape from her kidnapper, Colonel Muska, after an accident. Now free, she meets Pazu, a boy who is also young and orphaned, who joins her on an adventure to discover the secrets of the mystical and floating city of Laputa.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now The Castle in Heaven, available at Netflix.
Tomb of Fireflies (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79%* | Metacritic: 94 | IMDB: 8.5
Original title: Hotaru no haka
Grave of the Fireflies it's a movie war e drama directed by I. This is one of the few Studio Ghibli films not directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is considered one of the saddest and most emotional films produced by the studio, as it has a dramatic story and strong scenes of violence. Its story was based on the book of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka and it earned around U.S. $ one thousand 516,9 at the worldwide box office.
The film's plot takes place in Japan during World War II and brings the story of the brothers Setsuko and Seita who, after their mother's death in a bombing and their father's call to war, are forced to leave home to live with another part of the family. Unhappy with this situation, they leave the city and end up stopping at a shelter in the forest.
Soundtrack:
The composition of the soundtrack for Grave of the Fireflies was in charge of Michio Mamiya, a renowned specialist in baroque and classical music. Furthermore, the song “Home Sweet Home” was performed by coloratura soprano Amelita Galli-Curci.
Unfortunately, Grave of the Fireflies not available on any platform streaming.
My Totoro Friend (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | Metacritic: 86 | IMDB: 8.1
Original title: Tonari in Totoro
My Totoro Friend it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hayao Miyazaki. In terms of the worldwide box office, the film managed to earn only 41 million U.S. $. In Japan, the success was so great that the creature that gives the film its name became a children's symbol, in addition to being the face of the studio's own logo. In 1989, the animation was also awarded as Best movie at the Mainichi Film Concours.
The film tells the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei who move to the countryside to be closer to the hospital where their mother is hospitalized. There, they have magical adventures with the Totoros, adorable and happy spirits that live in the forest and that can only be seen by children.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now My Totoro Friend, available at Netflix.
The Kiki Delivery Service (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | Metacritic: 83 | IMDB: 7.8
Original title: Majo no Takkyubin
The Kiki Delivery Service it's a movie adventure e fantasy directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film, based on the book by Eiko Dunst, earned around $41,8 million at the box office. The animation was also awarded by the Japan Film Academy in 1990 with the trophies Special e Popularity.
Follow the adventures of Kiki, a young witch who has recently moved to a new town. Struggling to adapt to her new home, she, along with her black cat and magic broom, seeks a way to support herself via air delivery service.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now The Kiki Delivery Service, available at Netflix.
Memories of Yesterday (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | Metacritic: 90 | IMDB: 7.6
Original title: Omoid Pore Pore
Memories of Yesterday it's a movie romance directed and written by I. This is one of the few Studio Ghibli films not directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story based on the homonymous manga written by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone came to earn about $545k at box office.
The film chronicles the life of Taeko, a single, hard-working woman who leaves her hometown of Tokyo for the first time and travels to Yamagata to visit her sister's family. During this trip, Taeko begins to rethink her life and remember moments from her childhood.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Memories of Yesterday, available at Netflix.
Porco Rosso: The Last Romantic Hero (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | Metacritic: 83 | IMDB: 7.7
Original title: Kurenai no Buta
Porco Rosso: The Last Romantic Hero it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film was based on the manga of the same name written by Miyazaki himself and earned US$1,3 million at the box office.
The film follows the adventures of Marco Porcellino, a veteran pilot of the First World War who was transformed into a kind of human pig due to a curse. Now better known as Porco Rosso, he lives his life doing various jobs across Italy fighting air pirates.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Porco Rosso: The Last Romantic Hero, available at Netflix.
I Can Hear the Ocean (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | Metacritic: 73 | IMDB: 6.6
Original title: Umi ga Kikoeru
I can hear the ocean it's a movie drama e romance directed by Tomomi Mochizuki. This was the first Studio Ghibli animation directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. The feature was produced only for TV and was based on the book of the same name by author Saeko Himuro.
The film portrays the love triangle between two best friends, Taku Morisaki and Yutaka Matsuno, and Rikako, a student from Tokyo who has just transferred to a high school in Kochi, a seaside town remote from the capital. Friends just didn't count that the arrival of this new student would put the relationship of the two to the test.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now I can hear the ocean, available at Netflix.
Pom Poko: The Great Battle of the Raccoons (1994)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | Metacritic: 77 | IMDB: 7.3
Original title: Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko
Pom Poko: The Great Battle of the Raccoons it's a movie fantasy directed by I. The film was based on Japanese folklore and a story written by Hayao Miyazaki.
The film takes place in 1960 during the urban development of Tokyo and tells the story of a community of magical raccoons that will need to get together to fight against humans who want to expel them from the forest.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Pom Poko: The Great Battle of the Raccoons, available at Netflix.
Whispers of the Heart (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | Metacritic: 75 | IMDB: 7.9
Original title: Mimi wo Sumaseba
Whispers of the Heart it's a movie romance directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The animation was based on the eponymous comics by Aoi Hiiragi and came to earn U.S. $ one thousand 585 at box office.
The film brings the story of Shizuku, a student who dreams of being a writer. During the summer, Shizuku decides to read twenty books, and the most curious thing was that all the books read by her had already been read by Seiji Amasawa, a boy who had fallen in love with the young woman and wanted to get to know her better.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Whispers of the Heart, available at Netflix.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | Metacritic: 76 | IMDB: 8.4
Original title: mononoke hime
Princess Mononoke it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film had its official premiere in Japan in 1997, but only had its release in the rest of the world in 1999, where it earned about 162,1 million U.S. $ at box office. It also received several awards and nominations in the categories of Best Film and Best Director.
The film brings the story of Prince Ashitaka who is cursed after a hard battle to save a village. In order to survive and not become a demon, he will need to go in search of a cure in the forbidden forest. During this journey, he faces many dangers and ends up meeting the brave Mononoke.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Princess Mononoke, available at Netflix.
My Neighbors, The Yamadas (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%* | Metacritic: 75 | IMDB: 7.1
Original title: Hōhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun
My Neighbors, The Yamadas it's a movie Infant de comedy directed and written by I. Studio Ghibli's first film made completely digitally was based on the comics by Hisaichi Ishi.
Follow in a humorous way the most diverse day-to-day dilemmas of the traditional Yamada family, a typical Japanese family that lives in Tokyo.
Soundtrack:
The film's soundtrack was provided by Akiko Yano and was known for her presentation of short piano themes. In addition, it also includes the interpretation of classical pieces by the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mario Klemens.
Watch right now My Neighbors, The Yamadas, available at Netflix.
Spirited Away (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Metacritic: 96 | IMDB: 8.6
Original title: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi
A Viagem de Chihiro it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. This is one of the studio's most awarded animations, in addition to being one of the most successful in the history of Japanese cinema. She earned about $395,8 million at the worldwide box office. In 2003, Spirited Away brought Studio Ghibli to an Academy Award, winning in the Best Picture category. Best Animated Feature.
The film depicts Chihiro and her parents moving to a new town. When taking a shortcut on the way to their new home, they come across a table full of food. By eating that food, the girl's parents are turned into pigs. Now, the 10-year-old will need to get involved in a secret world of strange spirits, creatures and sorcery to save her parents.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now A Viagem de Chihiro, available at Netflix.
Kingdom of Cats (2002)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | Metacritic: 70 | IMDB: 7.1
Original title: Neko no Ongaeshi
the kingdom of cats it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hiroyuki Morita. Based on the manga Baron: Neko no Danshaku Written by Nozomu Takahashi, the animation was nominated for Best National Film in 2003 by the Tokyo Anime Award.
After saving a cat that was about to be run over, Haru discovers that he is actually a prince. As a thank you for saving her life, he asks her to marry him and takes her to the Cat Kingdom. Now, she will need to enlist the help of two unusual friends to regain her freedom and return home.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now the kingdom of cats, available at Netflix.
The Animated Castle (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | Metacritic: 80 | IMDB: 8.2
Original title: Hauru no Ugoku Shiro
The Animated Castle it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The animation was based on the novel Howl's moving castle launched in 1986 by British Diana Wynne Jones. In 2006, Studio Ghibli appeared again at the Oscars, competing in the category of Best Animation, but ended up losing to Wallace & Gromit – The Battle of the Vegetables.
The animation brings the story of young Sophie who is cursed in the body of a 90-year-old woman. To reverse the curse, she sets out on an adventure in search of the Walking Castle, home to a mysterious sorcerer who can help her return to her normal form.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now The Animated Castle, available at Netflix.
Tales from Earthsea (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes: 40% | Metacritic: 47 | IMDB: 6.3
Original title: Gedo senki
Tales from Earthsea it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki. The animation based on the book of the same name by Ursula K. Le Guin was not very well received by critics worldwide, but it was even nominated for Best Animated Feature by the Japanese Film Academy in 2007.
The film tells the story of the unusual duo formed by the young prince Arren and the old wizard Ged who set out on an adventure to investigate strange events that endanger the magical land in which they live.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Tales from Earthsea, available at Netflix.
Ponyo - A Friendship From the Sea (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 86 | IMDB: 7.6
Original title: Gake no Ue no Ponyo
Ponyo - A Friendship That Came From the Sea it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The animation was nominated for several awards, such as Best Films and Best Direction and reached a revenue of around $204,8 million at the worldwide box office.
The film tells the story of Sousuke, a 5-year-old boy, who found a bottle with a goldfish in it. Upon freeing him, he discovers that that little fish was actually a sea goddess named Ponyo. To strengthen the relationship with the boy, she uses a powerful potion to become human, but they didn't count that the power of that potion could endanger the lives of the entire village.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Ponyo - A Friendship That Came From the Sea, available at Netflix.
Little World (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | Metacritic: 80 | IMDB: 7.6
Original title: Kari-gurashi no Arietti
The World of Little Ones it's a movie fantasy directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The animation based on The Little Borrowers of Mary Norton came to earn about $146 million at the worldwide box office.
The animation brings the story of little Arrietty and her family, who live under an old house. Due to their size, in order to survive, they need to steal from humans' homes and blame the animals that live there. Things start to change when a young man named Shawn decides to help them get better living conditions.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now The World of Little Ones, available at Netflix.
From Kokuriko Hill (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | Metacritic: 71 | IMDB: 7.4
Original title: Kokuriko-zaka Kara
From Kokuriko Hill it's a movie romance directed by Goro Miyazaki and written by his father, Hayao Miyazaki. The animation, based on the manga of the same name by Chizuru Takahashi and Tetsuro Sayama, even raised 61,4 million U.S. $ at the worldwide box office, in addition to being nominated for several awards.
With the arrival of the Tokyo Olympics, a wave of new works began across the city. However, teenagers Umi and Shun will fight with all their might to prevent an old city building from being demolished.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now From Kokuriko Hill, available at Netflix.
Lives in the Wind (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | Metacritic: 83 | IMDB: 7.7
Original title: kaze tachinu
Lives in the Wind it's a movie war e romance directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The animation, based on the eponymous novel by Tatsuo Hori, earned around $136,5 million at the worldwide box office. In addition, she was even nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Animated Feature in 2014, but ended up losing to the worldwide phenomenon Frozen.
The film tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, a young man from an inner city in Japan. One day, he dreamed that he was flying in a bird-shaped plane and decided to make this dream come true. During this journey, he meets and falls in love with Naoko, however, the girl falls ill without knowing if she will survive.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Lives in the Wind, available at Netflix.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | Metacritic: 89 | IMDB: 8.0
Original title: Kaguya-hime no Monogatari
The Tale of Princess Kaguya it's a movie drama e fantasy directed by I. The animation which was based on the Japanese fable the bamboo cutter reached about $27 million at the worldwide box office. At the 2015 Oscars, the film competed in the category of Best Animated Film, but ended up losing to Disney's Operation Big Hero .
The film tells the story of Kaguya, a young and beautiful princess who, as a baby, was found in a glowing bamboo trunk. After she reached a certain age, she began to be coveted among many nobles, but she refuses to marry anyone she doesn't truly love.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now The Tale of Princess Kaguya, available at Netflix.
As Marnie's Memoirs (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | Metacritic: 72 | IMDB: 7.7
Original title: Marnie's Omoid
As Marnie's Memories it's a movie drama directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The animation was based on the novel When Marnie Was There of 'Joan G. Robinson and came to earn about 34,9 million U.S. $ at the worldwide box office. At the 2016 Academy Awards, it was nominated in the Best Animated Feature category, but ended up losing to Pixar's Inside Out.
The animation portrays the story of Anna, who while exploring an old abandoned mansion ends up meeting Marnie, a mysterious girl that only she can see. It didn't take long for them to become great friends, but Anna ends up getting more and more intrigued by the mysteries involving her new friend.
Soundtrack:
Watch right now Marnie's Memories, available at Netflix.
Aya and the Witch (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 29% | Metacritic: 46 | IMDB: 4.8
Original title: Āya to Majo
Aya and the Witch is a fantasy film directed by Goro Miyazaki. The first CGI animation by Studio Ghibli was based on the book earwig and the witch written by Diana Wynne Jones. Despite a low critical rating and a box office of just $2,997 million, the film won Best Screenplay and Voice at the 2021 Annie Awards.
The animation brings the adventures of Aya, a young orphan who is soon adopted by a witch. Despite living in a haunted house, little Aya won't let herself be scared and will do whatever she can to overcome the challenges of her new reality.
Watch right now Aya and the Witch, available at Netflix.
The Boy and the Crane (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | Metacritic: 91 | IMDB: 7,6
Original title: Kimitachi wa do ikiru ka
The Boy and the Crane it's a movie fantasy e adventure directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. Based on the novel of the same name written by Genzaburo Yoshino, the film addresses themes such as mourning and features details from the director's own life incorporated into the work. Masterfully concluding Hayao Miyazaki's legacy in the world of cinema, The Boy and the Crane emerges as one of the favorites for the 2023 Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The work, which had already premiered in other countries in 2023, became the second highest-grossing debut of a Studio Ghibli film, earning around 11,3 million U.S. $ in the first weekend, behind only “A Viagem de Chihiro (2001).
Synopsis: After the loss of his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's rural property. There, a series of enigmatic events leads him to an ancient and lonely tower, where a mischievous gray heron lives. When Mahito's new stepmother mysteriously disappears, he follows the heron to the tower and enters an extraordinary world shared by the living and the dead. Embarking on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world and confront the truth about himself.
Soundtrack:
The Boy and the Crane will be available in Brazilian cinemas from the day February 22.
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Source: Studio Ghibli Brazil
Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim
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