Favourite Studio Ghibli film?

[RJ Dalton]

Oh dear. Castle in the Sky. One of my favorite movies, but has the dub I hate the absolute most.
Must. Not. Fanboy. Rage.

Personally, my favorite may be Whisper of the Heart. But that could just be the folklorist in me speaking. But really, aside from Ponyo and maybe Tales of Earthsea (haven't seen it, but I know it's reputation), you can't really go wrong with any of the Ghibli films.

 

[CarlsonAndPeeters]

Princess Mononoke is easily my favorite. I love how many shades of grey there are in the story: no character is truly evil or truly heroic. Its all very well done and all so beautiful (though saying a Miyazaki movie is beautiful is a bit like saying grass is green).

Other favorites are Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, and Ponyo (just kidding Ponyo, nobody likes you).

 

[roushutsu]

I personally loved Castle in the Sky, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away the most. I've seen roughly half of the Ghibli films and I wouldn't mind seeing the rest at all. I'm a big fantasy fan, so most of the Ghibli films are right up my alley.

Internet anime reviewer JesuOtaku made a retrospective on the Ghibli films and I would recommend checking it out if you just wanna hear about each of the films to get an idea of what to look for. She talks about the production, the film, and offers her own in-depth opinion on each one. It's pretty good.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Laputa, Castle in the Sky.

Because my dad recorded it for me on VHS when I was little, around 6, and I watched it until the VHS wore out. My dad later passed away of cancer when he was only 55.

Spoiler: and now whenever Patsu mentions his dad I'm like.

funny how thinks link up in your brain.

 

[DishonoredElderSouls]

I have yet to watch Princess Mononoke, so currently the Ghibli films I have enjoyed most are Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, The Cat Returns, and Castle in the Sky, of which the winner would go to either Spirited Away or The Cat Returns. I would then deduce my decision down to Spirited Away, mainly because it takes the wonder and spectacle of Miyazaki's other films and builds an even more surreal and beautiful world out of it.

I know it isn't part of the discussion, but I would have to say that out of the six or so Ghibli films I've watched, Kiki's Delivery Service was easily the weakest.

Grave of the Fireflies deserves a mention too. It's one of those movies that was superb, but I don't want to watch it again because it would depress the shit out of me and probably make me cry just as hard as when I watched it for the first time. Which was pretty damn hard.

That wasn't a Studio Ghibli film, but it's understandable to assume that.

Edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_of_the_Fireflies

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Walter-White-Oh-God-Drives-Car-Away-Breaking-Bad.gif

WELL IT ISN'T MIYAZAKI!!!!!!!

 

[Rin Tezuka]

I always felt that Howl's Moving Castle wasn't on par with many of Miyazaki's other works. It's still a good movie all and all, but it doesn't compare to something like Mononoke. I felt Howl's story and characters were a bit weaker than the usual Ghibli fare. Animation was still top notch though.

Other favorites are Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, and Ponyo (just kidding Ponyo, nobody likes you).

I feel you're being a little harsh towards Ponyo. Granted, Ponyo is more oriented towards kids compared to other Ghibli films, the same thing goes for The Cat Returns. While I do think they are in the same boat as Howl in being not up to par with other films, in Ponyo's case it's due to it's limitations it has due to being more geared to a younger audience, while Howl in my opinion has it's flaws holding itself back.

Personally, my favorite may be Whisper of the Heart. But that could just be the folklorist in me speaking.

Finally, I thought this would never get mentioned. Whisper of the Heart is easily the most underrated Ghibli film there is. It's the only film directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and his style is clearly different from Miyazaki as the film shows (Though Miyazaki did work on the script)

Unlike most Ghibli films, it's almost completely down to earth with normal settings and characters. It works as the situations in the film and what the characters go through can all be related to, plus the way it is told and presented is perfect for telling the story. The main character gets plenty of growth and development throughout and the entirely normal premise of the movie is kept engaging all the while. It's easily one of the best Ghibli films and I highly recommend it to anyone.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

The only film that I can remember seeing from Studio Ghibli is My Neighbor Totoro.

It was also one of the few instance of Eastern Animation that I enjoyed during my child years and I'm glad that the studio is still up and running. Granted, nothing they done since then has actually caught my attention, but I'm sure I might come around to see some of those films.

 

[klaynexas3]

I've only seen three(and one was before the studio was actually founded), and here's my list of them so far

1. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind(it could have been improved I think by exploring Nausicaa's rage more, because it's pretty apparent that for a pacifist, she has some problems controlling her rage)
2. The Cat Returns(it was a fun and interesting film with a main character that was relatively likable)
3. Spirited Away

Okay, I need a full explanation of this, what is so great about Spirited Away? It just felt so disconnected and disjointed about the main purpose and plot of what was going on. Was it about her learning to appreciate things? Was it about saving that river dragon? Was it about saving her parents? Was it about knocking the witch down a notch? What was the point of the movie?

 

[TrevHead]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke are joint first. Apart from their stories I like how depict nature in the game.

It's partly the reason why I'm also in love with CAVE's Mushihimisama / Futari series (Insect Princess on the Iphone) as the game world is very similar with great insect monsters and vibrant green palette.

Other faves are Laputa and Howl's Moving Castle however it's a shame the studio isn't making movies nowadays to the standard of their golden era, but then again Anime / Manga as a whole is in a deep rut due to moving away from an mainstream audience to niches with fat wallets.

 

[Little Woodsman]

My favorite depends on my mood/what I'm looking for in a movie at the time.
My go-to "Things are gonna be all right" movie is Kiki's Delivery Service...followed closely by My Neighbor Totoro.
My fave for "Edge of the seat nail-biting action" is Laputa:Castle in the Sky...followed closely by Nausicaa of the
Valley of the Wind.
My fave for "Display an amazing magical world" & also for "great character growth" is Spirited Away.
My fave for "Quiet introspection & character discovering things about themselves" is Only Yesterday (Omoide Poro Poro, which is by studio Ghibli, but Miyazaki had no other involvement with it), followed closely by Whispers of the Heart.

There's a local bookstore here, that every time I go in to I do the same thing. I go to the children's section. I look at the rack of DVD's, which has a section devoted to Miyazaki/Ghibli. I facepalm, go to the counter and once again patiently explain that Grave of the Fireflies does *NOT* belong on a rack of DVD's for children. So far this has had no effect.

 

[scorptatious]

Tough question.

I think mine might be either

Kiki's Delivery Service or Castle in the Sky.

Followed by...

My Neighbor Totoro
Spirited Away
Secret World of Arriety
Howl's Moving Castle

Those are the only Ghibli films I've seen so far.

 

[Leemaster777]

I'm just gonna go the obvious choice and say Spirited Away. Although Howl's Moving Castle is spectacular, too.

Also, if you're not familiar with anime that much, perhaps Ponyo might be another good place to start.

It's based on The Little Mermaid, so that's something a bit more familiar to connect with. Spirited Away is a VERY Japanese film.

 

[Dragonbums]

I love Howl's Moving Castle to death.

 

[Username Redacted]

I'm glad 'Grave of the Fireflies' got mentioned even if it took until page 2. It's one of those movies that no matter how sad or tragic the events that it depicts are is still a movie that everyone should watch. To wit my list:

1) Grave of the Fireflies
2) Princess Mononoke
3) Spirited Away
4) Arrietty
5) Howls Moving Castle
6) cranial drill intrusion
7) Tales from Earthsea

 

[Miss G.]

My favorite is Kiki's Delivery Service (an easy enough film to follow), followed closely by Spirited Away.

 

[EstrogenicMuscle]

I'm going to have a terrible opinion in poor taste and say Kiki's Delivery Service.

I like those 'cute for cuteness sake' anime that are so popular nowadays. Making the direction of the anime industry today not bother me at all. I've also always been a really huge Magical Girl anime fan since I've been around to discover and enjoy the genre. I've seen just about every Magical Girl anime in existence, I love the genre so much. Well, ecept I guess if it's a porn or something.

Kiki's Delivery Service was sort of like the Miyazaki take on the magical girl genre. So I really ate it up.
There was something especially cute and non-challenging about Kiki's Delivery Service. The movie is just relaxing and makes me feel comfortable. There isn't a lot of tension aside from the boy she likes and where she loses. Well, you know how the plot goes.

For a lot of people, "not challenging" is an insult. But really, I don't think so. Kiki's Delivery Service is relaxing and fun and I like the lack of all the tension. Kiki is cute and yet strong. If a bit immature about relationships, which is normal for a little girl. Which left room for character development.

Kiki's Delivery Service is just one of those films that makes you feel good. Works like Princess Mononoke are also great, but by the end of films like that, I'm burdened thinking about death and environmentalism a lot. It's pretty dark. Yes, I'm a shallow weakling or something like that. But I feel better watching something like Kiki's Delivery Service usually which just plain makes me feel good.