Interested in getting into the beautiful and magical world of Japanese animated movies, but don't know where to start? Here is a list of some of my personal favorites! I love animated movies, but I must admit it could be a little difficult to branch out into other types of animated movies that are not Disney or Pixar. Studio Ghibli is regarded as the Disney of Japan and they continuously are instant classics.
1. "Princess Mononoke"
Looking for something full of action and adventure for your next movie night? Look no further than "Princess Mononoke", a film full of breathtaking visuals and fantastic characters. You won't regret taking part in this epic adventure!
2. "Spirited Away"
Join Chihiro as she tries to save her parents in the wonderfully whimsical world of "Spirited Away". If you are looking for something completely unique with gorgeous animation and a creative story, look no further than this classic film!
3. "Kiki’s Delivery Service"
"Kiki's Delivery Service" is just a pure and innocent film that follows a young witch and her adventures as a delivery girl for hire. Give this one a try if you are in the market for a perfectly simple story with a lovable main character!
4. "Howl’s Moving Castle"
When hat maker Sophie gets turned into an old woman by an evil witch, she has no choice but to join forces with a flamboyant wizard named Howl who lives in a magical moving castle. It's the perfect "weird in a good way" flick that that is guaranteed to steal your heart!
5. "My Neighbor Totoro"
"My Neighbor Totoro" is a Studio Ghibli classic that follows two sisters who move into a new house and find a strange collection of strange monsters that live in a secret forest in their yard. It's absolutely adorable and always a fun time.
6. "Grave of the Fireflies"
"Grave of the Fireflies" is literally one of the most depressing movies of all time, but it's also one of the best. It follows the story of two siblings living in WWII Japan, and their struggles of dealing with war is is both thought-provoking and hauntingly beautiful.
