Studio Ghibli Makes Anime Accessible

The world of anime, or animated Japanese movies, can seem alien to the casual movie viewer, seemingly preoccupied with pretty girls in very short skirts and huge eyes, and unashamedly aimed at teenage boys. While that may sometimes indeed be the case, there is plenty more to love about anime films and one studio in particular excels at producing charming, engaging anime films.

My Neighbour Totoro is without a doubt my favourite animated movie – in fact, I even have a kitten named Totoro. In a category where Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks top most people’s lists, this may seem like an obscure choice. But you are probably aware of some of the other movies produced by the same studio, namely Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away. They are all products of Studio Ghibli, known as being the Disney of Japan. Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the studio has produced 18 animated films and countless short films, many of which this European fan has sadly never had the chance to see. There is also a Studio Ghibli museum, and I guarantee that once you’ve fallen in love with the movies, you’ll be planning your trip to Tokyo to see it!

Just as Disney has created unforgettable films based on familiar European fairy tales, Studio Ghibli has used the wealth of Japanese folklore to inspire some great movies. To our eyes, there is something inherently exotic about oriental legends and customs and it’s surprising how much you can learn about Japan from anime movies like these. All of Studio Ghibli’s films are available on DVD and all of them are dubbed into English, so there are no dreaded subtitles to worry about. Some of the titles are more appealing than others but I would definitely recommend all of the films directed by Miyazaki himself.

The 18 films vary greatly in subject and mood. While The Cat Returns and Kiki’s Delivery Service are clearly aimed at younger children (but no less enjoyable for that), Princess Mononoke is a densely plotted epic and an allegory for environmental issues told as a Japanese period story, which might go over the heads of younger viewers. Likewise, Grave of the Fireflies is the most tragic and thought-provoking ‘children’s’ movie I have ever watched and would advise against showing it to very young children. It is this juxtaposition in tone and theme which keeps Studio Ghibli’s output endlessly entertaining and, at times, challenging, and helps it stand head and shoulders above its peers.

This August, the latest offering, Arrietty, hits UK cinemas, and it is interesting in that it is a retelling of the story of The Borrowers and the first time Studio Ghibli has taken inspiration from a well-loved English book. Only time will tell if this departure from the traditional Japanese style will work but surely an anime version of a classic is worth seeing?

So, if this summer turns out to be wet and miserable, why not pick up some Studio Ghibli DVDs and begin your anime education? I promise you won’t be disappointed.