‘When Marnie was There’ might be the last film Studio Ghibli makes, and that makes me sad
Over in the US, Pixar has just released its 15th film, Inside Out. Early reviews are glowing, and writers all over the net have taken the chance to rank their favourite 15 Pixar movies. But it’s another animation studio that’s on my mind today.
I recently caught When Marnie was There, by the legendary Japanese animation Studio Ghibli. Now, if you don’t recognise the studio, you might recognise its works; do the names Totoro, Spirited Away or Ponyo ring a bell?
Over the last 30 years, Studio Ghibli has become the most popular animation studio in the East. It’s been described as “the Disney of Asia,” eight of its films are among the 15 highest-grossing anime films made in Japan, four films have received Academy Award nominations, and Spirited Away won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003.
But more important than all of this is how Ghibli’s movies have made people all over the world laugh and cry. I know they have for me. I’ve been astonished again and again by how much their movies have made me feel — Totoro made me feel like a child again, Nausicaa made me want to do something with my life, and Laputa’s ending made me both tear up and smile at the same time.
It’s crazy how Ghibli, and especially its master storyteller Hayao Miyazaki, can go straight to the heart.
That’s why I felt bittersweet at the end of When Marnie was There. Not so much because of its story — the movie was a slow burn with a satisfying ending, but I felt it lacked the special Ghibli charm. Instead, it was because When Marnie was There could quite possibly be the last movie that Ghibli will ever make.
On August 3, 2014, Ghibli announced that it going on hiatus when director and co-founder Hayao Miyazaki retired (for real, this time, not like when he ‘retired’ on Princess Mononoke). The studio has been quiet since then, and nobody except its inner circle really knows what its future is going to be.
Miyazaki even hinted as much in the documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness about Ghibli. When asked about the future of the studio, he replied:
“The future is clear. It’s going to fall apart. I can already see it. What’s the use worrying? It’s inevitable.”
By the way, if you’re a fan of Ghibli’s works, you might not want to watch that documentary. I’ve read that Miyazaki is quite the pessimist, but even knowing that, I was caught off-guard by how bleak the man could be on video.
It might seem odd for a man whose movies have brought so much joy to people everywhere to be so emo, but then again it might explain why his movies tend to end on a bittersweet note; Miyazaki’s heroes and heroines often win but also lose something at the same time.
While I’d love to rank my own favourite 15 Studio Ghibli movies, I just can’t bring myself to do it. For one, I haven’t seen them all, Tales of the Princess Kaguya, for example, is still high on my must-watch list.
For another, ranking movies is like ranking flavours of ice-cream — it’s just impossible. My wife and I both love Ghibli’s movies, but even then we have our disagreements. She really likes Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo very much, but I don’t. At the same time, Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns are among my favourites, but she didn’t enjoy them.
So, let me just get away with recommending these five for the Ghibli newbie. If you haven’t seen a single Studio Ghibli movie yet, then you’re in for a real treat. If any of these are missing in your list, then I hope you check them out.
1. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
My favourite Ghibli movie of all time. This one has everything, magic and mystery, adventure and romance, wrapped up in a bittersweet tale of man and nature. Love it.
2. My Neighbour Totoro
Makes you feel like a child all over again. If Totoro doesn’t bring a smile to your face, you’re dead inside and there’s nothing I can do to help you.
3. Spirited Away
Ghibli’s movies are often about growing up and finding your place in the world, and Spirited Away is possibly one of the best of them. Chihiro is a departure from the usual Ghibli lead who starts out all smart and confident, but that’s part of what makes her transformation so powerful. That flying scene still brings so much feels to my heart.
4. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service is another tale of growing up that’s simply lovely. Even though the lead is a young girl, I think anyone can relate to the loneliness and alienation Kiki feels when she moves into a new city all by herself. The thing about this movie is how the city itself is kind of a character, it’s timeless and romantic, and I could look at the backgrounds the whole day.
5. Whisper of the Heart
I’m going to take a risk here and recommend you Whisper of the Heart. I’ll tell you from the start, this movie is slow, and there’s no magic or fantasy to be found anywhere (not counting the book Shizuku is writing). Instead, it’s a simple movie about two kids, in the real world, who find each other, try to figure out an awkward first romance, and find their dreams. You may or may not like it.
Are you a Studio Ghibli fan too? If so, which five Ghibli movies would you recommend the most?
Alvin Soon / Former Deputy Editor
I like coffee and cameras, but not together.