Studio Ghibli: A Beginner's Guide

In this article, we give you a comprehensive guide on the Ghibli films you should watch if you're just getting started.

If you’re a fan of animation or films in general, chances are you have come across Studio Ghibli. Founded in the 1980s, the studio garnered a reputation as the producer of some of the greatest animated films in history. The Ghibli style has come to define the visual style and content orientation of Japan’s ever-growing animation industry. It is to Japan what Disney is to America. Indeed, Ghibli is often framed as the antithesis of Disney’s fairy tale style. As Disney develops a style and arguably a formula synonymous with its brand, Ghibli’s films are diverse in its approach to storytelling.

But this might be because, unlike Ghibli, Disney’s style is clearly defined. So much of our collective consciousness is influenced by the images and stories that arise out of Disney studio. So, when Ghibli is introduced as an alternative, it feels like the opposite of Disney. Diving into Studio Ghibli after a wholesome childhood of Disney’s popular animated films is like wading through an uncharted forest. It is refreshing but can also be jarring.

So if you are unfamiliar with Studio Ghibli but is looking to enter this mystical world, this article is perfect for you.

The first question that comes to mind is: where do we start? What film would be best to welcome a newcomer to the world of Ghibli?

We want your first impression of Ghibli to be something definitive and all-encompassing of the studio. This film should implant the right tone and images that feel quintessentially Ghibli. One that feels nostalgic and ambivalent, yet fun and endearing- a tone that pervades almost all other Ghibli films. Now given these criteria, we have got no choice but to go with the most famous film in Ghibli’s cannon, written and directed by the esteemed Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away (2001).

The Entrance: Spirited Away (2001)

Aside from being a film about entering a magical land which coincidentally mirrors one’s journey into the complex and mysterious world of studio Ghibli, the film has a good comparison point to Alice in Wonderland. The film follows a young girl as she journeys into the spirit realm in a quest to save her parents. Filled with images that are pretty much synonymous to the whole of Ghibli, Spirited Away is memorable for its musical score and the overall tone. It is a film you could easily rewatch hundreds of times and still be blown away by the animation, style and the simple yet magical plotline. The film eases you in, gives you a simple, relatable story that feels dream-like and adventurous. It’s a perfect entrance to the world of Ghibli.

Assuming that like the vast majority, you love Spirited Away. You’re now curious and intrigued by what else Ghibli has to offer. Where do we go from here?

We now enter a period we like to refer to as the groove. Ideally, this next film or two should get you into a certain momentum. Unlike the entrance film, you don’t expect to be wow-ed. You just want to see more films that affirm your enjoyment of Ghibli. So, the tone we wanna go for is: warm, welcoming and congratulating. It should feel like a honeymoon or a really nice second date. Gone are the awkwardness and uncertainty of the first encounter, what is left is the expectation that needs fulfilment.

And if there’s one Ghibli film that leaves you feeling fulfilled, it’s Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989).

The Groove: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki’s Delivery Service follows a young trainee witch – Kiki – who provides a delivery service of all sorts for a small town. Unlike the popular image of witches as mystical beings that is stigmatised by society, the world of Kiki embraces witches as just another profession. Kiki’s story is really about a young girl growing into her new role in society. In the meantime, she meets some likeable characters, faces some minor struggles and engages in some awe-inspiring flying sequences. In contrast to the exciting pace of Spirited Away, Kiki is much less concerned about the story, instead of focusing more on the characters and tone. The film plays out like a song. You experience it for the melodic images and sounds that remind you why you enjoyed Spirited Away.

Now that you’re in the groove, it’s time to turn that grove on its head. The third inflexion point will take you to the other side of Ghibli. The side that will make you see the studio in a completely different light. Ghibli is not all whimsy and fun and fantasy. Sometimes it can produce films with teeth-grinding realism. Ghibli’s ambivalence and naturalistic style may evoke a sense of freedom and purity in a fantasy film. But it can lay bare the harsher texture of humanity. And it does not shy from real subject matters. The case in point is Grave of the Fireflies.

The Turning Point: Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

This is yet another film whose reputation precedes the studio. Much more so than Spirited Away, Fireflies feels like a statement of purpose. It is harsh and unrelenting in ways that most animated movies rarely are. The film tackles a subject matter that lends itself to such a tone: the horrors of the second world war. Ghibli has always been fond of looking back into Japan’s past. But here it takes an unflinching look at what war and nationalism can do to the lives of everyday people. The film also presents a story that does not victimise the characters. There is a tragic and sorrowful tinge to the story that did not come from witnessing the victim, but instead a sense of causal unclarity in moments when orders fail. This is one of the most adult Ghibli films. It will completely change your perception of the studio.

If you have watched Grave of the Fireflies, you should take a much-needed break. During this time, you might think about what film you would want to watch next. Now that you are acclimatised to the more mature side of Ghibli, let's see what else they have to offer. Fortunately, the Ghibli's best works come from when they tackle the most mature subject matters. The next film is not only Ghibli at its most mature but might even be Ghibli at its best. This is Miyazaki’s epic masterpiece, Princess Mononoke.

The Peak: Princess Mononoke (1997)

Princess Mononoke features a story that seems to cover the scope of humanity itself. Its theme – human’s relationship with nature might be the most universal that Ghibli has tackled. What’s more, Princess Mononoke explores these things in subtle and nuanced ways. All the characters are so memorable that when they disagree with one another, you empathise quite deeply with both sides of the conflict. Ultimately, the film is seen as an incredibly exciting fantasy adventure with a strong underlying social theme. In many ways, this is the most mature Ghibli has ever been.

The final film in the Ghibli introductory package is one that gives you a sense of wholeness, overwhelming sadness and happiness all at once. It is universally human, and objectively the greatest film Ghibli has ever made: The Tale of Princess Kaguya

The Somber: The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

This is the last side of Ghibli: the sombre side. Kaguya is a film overflowing with life and emotion. Animated with such unforgettable artistry, there is not much one can say about this film. It’s an adaptation of a Japanese folktale that brings out all the emotions in a single story. It is Ghibli’s magnum opus because it represents Ghibli’s greatest strength: exploring the most complex layers of humanity in the simplest ways.

These are our top picks for beginners who want to start watching Ghibli films. Share with us below what your favourite Ghibli films are!