Studio Ghibli, for those who don't know, is a company that produces Japanese animated movies. Disney works aside with them as they make the English sub for the many different films. However, some films are really great, and have interesting plot lines, except quite a few....don't. Although, after watching quite a few, I have finally decided the top five films that make the best plot line.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
- This film is about a young girl named Chihiro, who is moving to a new city, except on the way, her family finds an old abandoned amusement park. As the sun sets, a problem arises, and Chihiro parents are now pigs! At the night the spirit world awakens at the park, and Chihiro now has to work to be able to free her parents. Including the memory of herself and of her new friend.
2. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
- If your looking for a good-feel or cute-love relationship, then this is the film for you! Whisper of the Heart is about a young girl, Shizuku, who doesn't know what she wants to do with her life, but has the talent for writing. After leaving a a book behind at school, Shizuku meets a particular Nishi, and learns later on that he wants to make violins for a living. Now having a crush on Nishi, Shizuku wants to work as hard Nishi to make their dreams come true, especially after meeting Nishi's grandfather's statue-cat, Baron.
3. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
- The plot of this movie is SUPER cute! From Up on Poppy Hill is the kind of film that is lovey-dovey, but dramatic in a good way. Basically, this film is about two young students named Shun and Umi. They go to the same school, and they meet by the flags Umi hangs up everyday for her deseased father. Not really liking each other at first, they eventually start falling in love, except when Umi finds an old photograph that may ruin the chance of ever seeing Shun as more than friend.
4. Princess Mononoke (1997)
- As the last prince, Ashitaka, helps defending his village as an mad-demon boar comes out to attack. After killing the beast, Ashitaka is cursed, because the boar was a god named Nago, who was corrupted. The wise-woman of the village tells to head to the land the boar has come from, and there Ashitaka meets Lady Eboshi. The boar was corrupted by bullet that the Lady Eboshi shot. However, Ashitaka learns about San, known as Princess Mononoke, who was raised by wolves. When Ashitaka meets her, he follows her, and learns that he needs to help to save the spirit of the forest.
5. Castle In the Sky (1986)
- This film is very cute, but also dramatic! Castle in the Sky is about two young orphans, but one of them, Sheeta, has a special history. Sheeta is able to use an amulet that has great powers! One night, Pazu, finds Sheeta falling from the sky, and learns that she is running away from Muska, a greedy man. After being taken from pirates, the two orphans work with them in finding the castle in the sky, and the treasures that are there. Although, they find a few interesting things on their way there, and the true power of Sheeta's amulet. (If you liked Disney's Atlantis, then you will like this film!)
Of course, all the films have great animation and are rather interesting. If you are new to Studio Ghibli films, then I suggest you watch these first, and adventure on from there. Enjoy the films, and the many adventures you will see!
