they set the standard for Japanese
animation
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we're
counting down our list for the top ten
Studio Ghibli films this is the dream
this world's a dream
welcome to my kingdom we're gonna keep
it pretty straightforward for this list
we've accepted be somewhat difficult
task of choosing the most beloved of the
films from the legendary anime studio
whether they're miyazaki directed or
otherwise how strange I can't
number 10 whisper of the heart
[Music]
[Applause]
this film follows Shizuku and her
blossoming romance with the violin maker
say gee you're the one who inspired me
say gee I'm glad I pushed myself I know
myself a little bit better now
whisper of the heart is a deeply
personal story about creativity and the
ups and downs of teenage love we had a
few dream sequences for extra fun
[Music]
this film is a notable entry as it is
one of the first Studio Ghibli films to
be directed by someone other than Hayao
Miyazaki or SiO Takahata it's a gorgeous
film that showed the promise of director
you shifu me Kondo who sadly passed away
shortly after the film's completion the
movie stream sequences also inspired a
spin-off film 2002 s the Cat Returns
centering on minor fantasy character the
Baron good evening welcome to the puter
[Music]
number nine the tale of Princess Kaguya
when a bamboo cutter named me Atsuko and
his wife discover a tiny girl within the
stock of bamboo their lives and the
lives of their village change forever
[Music]
she's dead the first thing that comes to
mind with the tale of Princess Kaguya is
how undeniably gorgeous the film is
boasting an impressive art direction by
utilizing the ink washing style it's
clear that this is some of the best
animation ge is put out to date courtesy
of longtime director Zhao Takahata
[Music]
it's no wonder this film went on to join
the ranks of Studio Ghibli masterpieces
that have been nominated for an Academy
Award for Best Animated Feature it's
criminal veteran went that's an outrage
number 8 castle in the sky
this is where it all began the story of
pazu and princess sheeta's quest to find
the fabled flying castle Laputa was the
first official release from the studio
many of the creative teams core elements
are on full display a deeply imaginative
world endearing main characters and
excitement in danger at every turn
plus it's got Hayao Miyazaki in the
director seat this was the film that set
the course for Studio G please resume
for the next 30 years and it still holds
up against the modern anime of today she
floating many call this a perfect
adventure film and who are we to argue
I wouldn't miss an adventure like this
for anything in the world number 7 grave
of the fireflies what you doing set
during the tail end of world war 2 grave
of the fireflies follow sibling Seita
and Setsuko as they try to survive a
war-torn Japan many consider this film
to be one of the most heartbreaking
anime of all time the film is a harsh
realistic look at youth struggling to
get by in the darkest of times it may
bring a tear to many and I however the
film's dedication to its tone in
animation no less has earned it
considerable praise much like whisper of
the heart grave of the fireflies showed
that Studio Ghibli could not only turn
out great fantasy but also heart-tugging
tragedy and truth at the same time
[Music]
number six my neighbor totoro when
Satsuki and her younger sister may move
out to the countryside the last thing
they expect to see is a giant furry
beast with a wide-eyed smile the same
lovable monster known as Totoro has been
studio G pleased mascot ever since the
film debuted in 1988 while the film
doesn't have a lot of conflict it's
really not needed to make a great story
much of that is left to the enjoyable
bond between the two sisters and the
unexpected adventure they get into with
Totoro and his companions
[Music]
this makes my neighbor totoro an anime
for all ages plus it has a cat bus
everyone loves cat bus
everyone needs a cat bus am i right
number five Nausicaa of the valley of
the wind
[Music]
glad you're okay so this one is a little
bit of a cheat now Scout was released
just prior to the founding of studio
ghibli if steelwill showcases the
studio's high quality animation and
dedication to fleshing out characters
though nothing is fair
featuring themes of environmentalism and
empowering young girls to save the day
nazca has been a title beloved by
animation fans worldwide despite
appearing before G Lee's inception nazca
is still regarded as one of their felt
as such it has been re-released several
times on DVD and blu-ray under the
studio's banner
[Music]
it's okay though I'm just happy it makes
sense as without this film the studio
might not have ever been created in the
first place clearly deserves your
courtesy and respect number four
Kiki's Delivery Service in this
coming-of-age classic the young witch
Kiki heads off to the big town to learn
her craft she ends up using her slowly
developing powers to run a delivery
service for the town she resides in
thank you so much my pleasure
let's go Gigi
Oh Kiki is an instantly likable
character with a drive and optimism that
makes her a true role model for girls of
all ages the film also boasts a great
amount of humor particularly from Kiki's
adorable sidekick Gigi and some heart
racing action sequences once Tiki really
kicks her broom in high gear see Kiki
overcome all challenges personal and
external is part of what makes this film
a treat for all audiences here we go
[Music]
number three Howl's Moving Castle now
straighten your legs based on the novel
by Diana Wynne Jones this fantasy flick
follows Sophie a beautiful girl turned
into an old woman by a Wicked Witch
[Music]
searching for a cure
so he comes across the wandering Castle
of howl and soon finds herself joining a
motley crew that collected characters as
one of Studio Ghibli follow-ups to
spirited away Howl's Moving Castle
boasts some of the best quality
animation the studio has to offer
there's still plenty of room for good
story though featuring themes of
building confidence and of course
innocent love
Howell was so brilliant it even netted a
nomination for Best Animated Feature
after its release I'm sorry did I come
too late I didn't mean to make you wait
this long
[Music]
number two Princess Mononoke that's
enough I'm not listening to you anymore
beautiful in a land where humans are in
constant battle with forest spirits
Hoshi Tonka teams up with a wolf
princess to bring balance to the land
and to rid himself of a dreaded curse
look everyone this is what hatred looks
like this is what it does when it
catches hold of you
majestic powerful exciting and gorgeous
these are just a few of the words that
come to mind when talking about Princess
Mononoke with stellar animation quality
a story of grandiose scale and strongly
developed characters it's no wonder that
many consider this to be one of the
greatest anime films of all time the
film's also noteworthy for being one of
the studio's more violent films and we
are talking a hefty amount of blood here
I'm warning you before we reveal our top
pick here a few honorable mentions
[Music]
you're a good person know the good guys
were the ones who died or maybe I'm dead
in life as a pig it's the same thing as
hell number one spirited away I said
come
[Music]
this Miyazaki masterpiece is one of
legend in the world of animation
following youngji hero's journey through
a supernaturally populated bathhouse
spirited away is a triumph of
imagination there are so many creatures
and working parts to this world that
every single frame is something of
beauty take a deep breath spirited ways
brilliant storytelling made it an
accessible film even to those not
familiar with the anime genre and it
went on to become the only anime in
history to win an Academy Award for Best
Animated Feature not even a kira could
pull that off but like we said this film
is legendary
do you agree with our list I'm just
supposed to accept that that is so
unfair
what Studio Ghibli film has a special
place in your heart what do you say for
more time honored top 10s published
every day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com