As a household name in China, Hayao Miyazaki and the animations he made with Studio Ghibli have had a huge influence on generations of viewers. Hayao Miyazaki’s movies always have the perfect balance between engaging children and adults alike, and his masterpiece Spirited Away raked in about USD 27.7 million during its opening weekend, according to Chinese film ticketing website Maoyan.
There are many Miyazaki-related events going on in town right now, not only can you enjoy a Japanese animation and Studio Ghibli manuscript exhibition, but there’s also the Hayao Miyazaki Hisaishi anime themed concert going on. Here’s our guide to his classics, to help you choose a Miyazaki movie with your little ones and appreciate these events even more.
Spirited Away (2001)
With a score of 9.3 out of 10 on Chinese film rating and review website Douban, Spirited Away is the highest rated of all animation films listed on the site to date. It’s my personal favorite, and I’ve watched it five times, every time feeling something different and reflecting more about myself. Spirited Away documents the adventures of a young girl in a magical world of river gods, witches, and other spirits. The world is tainted by human garbage, but through the help of others and her own persistence and bravery, she finally gets the curse lifted from her parents and is able to take them home.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Based on a novel by the British author Diana Wynne Jones, the story is about a castle made out of junk which moves with the help of a lovable little fire demon named Calcifer, and the relationship between a wizard named Howl and the spunky milliner Sophie. It focuses on how love can lift curses, old and new. The background scenes are drawn with a watercolor aesthetic while characters are vividly portrayed with beautiful colors. Some little children might be upset by the war planes and bombs in the movie, but older ones will enjoy the magic and romance.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
This high-flying adventure begins when a young boy encounters a girl floating down from the sky. They discover they are both searching for a legendary crystal, floating castle, and together they protect it from greedy air pirates and secret government agents. It won the Animage Anime Grand prix in 1986. As classic as the movie itself, the theme song “The Merry-Go-Round of Life” draws you into the beautifully depicted scenes Miyazaki is famous for.
My Neighbor Totoro（1988）
Arguably, My Neighbor Totoro is the most kid-friendly Miyazaki movie. It features the incredible journey of a girl and her four-year-old sister as they move to be closer to their sick mother and discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro. During the journey, they also make friends with different woodland creatures. The movie’s beautiful landscapes and charming characters make it an enchanting treat.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
This film is about two forces battling against one another for survival. The main characters, a young warrior and the brave Princess who was raised by wolves, together protect the forest. The film stands as an allusion to mankind’s desire for economic prosperity while disregarding the destruction of the environment in that pursuit. As it was his first PG-13 film, younger children might be scared by some scenes.
Ponyo (2008)
Ponyo, the eighth film Miyazaki directed for Ghibli, and his tenth overall, features a lovely story about a young boy and a magical goldfish named Ponyo. Drawing its influences from Japanese folklore and The Little Mermaid, Ponyo charms the audience with its simple but touching story. With its likable characters and colorful storytelling, it’d be a visually sweet fairy tale for children of all ages.
Photos: imdb.com, 3lian.com, fathomevents.com
