Living is not about Living, it's how many people you have affected while you are living. Miyazaki's physical entity may have ended, but he lives as long as Animation do.
If u call yourself an avid anime fan and haven't heard about Hayao Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli then I'm sorry to break it to you. You are not what you assume yourself to be i.e, an anime buff. Hayao Miyazaki is the Godfather of Japan Animation and critically acclaimed for producing oscar-winning films that are not just good in story but are also visually super gorgeous. In this blog, we are skimming the fat and are posting only the cream of the crop i.e, the top 5 films of Hayao Miyazaki.
Disclaimer
Remaining movies aren't bad it's just that these movies are better and it is just a matter of perception and hope I don't offend anyone lmao! 😁
 |
| Hayao Miyazaki's Legacy |
Without any further delay take a look at my TOP 5! :
5. My Neighbour Totoro
Plot
This notable fable by Hayao Miyazaki follows the endeavours of Satsuki and her younger sister, Mei, as they settle into an old house in the countryside with their father and wait for their mother to recover from some disease in a hospital. As the sisters explore their new home, they encounter and befriend playful spirits in their house and the nearby forest, most notably the massive, chubby and friendly creature known as Totoro.
Verdict
Although the plot is not strong with this one, this is the most iconic film of Studio Ghibli such that they adapted the character TOTORO as their official mascot and studio symbol. Whenever a Ghibli film starts and a blue screen with the logo comes up on the screen, it's just a delightful trip down memory lane into our naive childhood lives. I think Ghibli achieved heirloom status as such that when someone watches it they are bound to watch it again with their kids this time. Making these films immortal.
Fantasy Meter 8.5/10
Read 5 Reasons to watch Naruto before you die
4. The Wind Rises
Plot
Jiro Horikoshi aspires of designing beautiful aeroplanes and seeing them take flight, drawing inspiration from the famous aeronautical designer Caproni. Having sight defects from a young age that disabled him from being a pilot, Jiro gets to work in a major Japanese aeronautical designing company and becomes very innovative and accomplished among many aeroplane designers of his era. The film depicts and revolves around much of his life, illustrating major historical events which include the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's involvement in the Great war. Jiro falls in love with Nahoko, and develops and cherishes his friendship with his colleague and superior Honjo.
Verdict
Although many people claim that this film is not the best of Miyazaki I proclaim otherwise. I feel Miyazaki has taken upon himself to direct this biography with as many earthly elements as possible without losing his touch for fantasy and glam. The emotions of every person to make the plane, and the dire state was Japan was in was well captured, drawn and animated. Being a biography there's not much one can do to change the plot risking accuracy but this beautiful portrayal includes accurateness for the perfectionists out there and the fantasy elements imbibed in them to represent Studio Ghibli. I think this movie was made by Miyazaki as a symbol to show that Ghibli is not all about children's movies but it can capture human elements such as hard work, will, determination, passion etc. which are beautifully portrayed in this film.
Fantasy Meter 7.5/10
3. Howl's Moving Castle
Plot
Sophie Hatter has been cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old lady because of her apparent closure with Howl. Ashamed of her looks, she flees into the hills where a moving castle is roaming the hills. It is said to belong to the young and handsome wizard Howl, who is known for his misdemeanours. Once inside the castle, Sophie makes friends with the fire demon Calcifer, who wants to help her become young again. One catch: she must help Calcifer to be free of the spell that binds them together, and Calcifer cannot tell her how. However, Sophie agrees to stay and will try to find out about the contract in other ways. Howl realizes that Sophie is under a spell, like Calcifer, and he falls in love with her for who she is, no matter her looks. Sophie manages to bring life and cheer to the moving castle, and she helps Howl to face his former teacher, Madame Suliman.
Verdict
This falls into the pool of Miyazaki's world where this film is really really good but not great. Howls moving castle is a celebration of love, intimacy in a way that is not sexualised in any way whatsoever and is definitely not generic and boring. The characters are what gives the film its magic, such pretty characters who are adorable and in-detail about their way of thinking. It's innocent, cheeky and just pure bliss on a late evening. The animation is just great and the intricate attention to detail on the castle as well as the iconic breakfast-making scene are absolutely stunning.
Fantasy Meter 9/10
Read Top 5 Sports Anime That You Should Never Miss
2. Spirited Away
Plot
Chihiro and her parents have decided to move to a small Japanese town in the countryside, even though Chihiro doesn't like it. On the way to their new home, Chihiro's father takes a wrong turn and drives down a lonely and abandoned road that leads to a dead end right in front of a tunnel. They stop the car and decide to explore around. They reach a tunnel and inside is an entire amusement park with its own little town like location. When her parents see a restaurant with great and exotic food but with no one to look after, they decide to indulge and pay later. However, Chihiro refuses to eat and decides to wander around the theme park for a while. She suddenly meets a stranger named Haku who alarms her that her parents are in danger, and they must leave immediately if no harm is to come to them. She runs to the restaurant only to find that her parents have been turned into pigs.On top of that, the theme park turns out to be a town inhabited by spirits of all kinds. At the centre of the town is a bathhouse where these spirit like creatures go to cleanse themselves and relax. The owner of the bathhouse is an evil witch named Yubaba, who is determined on turning all trespassers into pigs unless they ask for work. Chihiro with the help of Haku needs to save her parents in hopes of returning to their world alive
Verdict
Fantasy Meter 10/10 🏆
But since it is an opinionated blog, I am going to take the liberty to talk about another film, one that is undermined yet far greater than any Miyazaki film ever made, probably this is Studio Ghibli's finest!
1. Princess Mononoke
Plot
Ashitaka, the prince of some village is infected with an incurable disease by a demon god who seems to be possessed. He is bound to die unless he can find a cure to break the curse. It seems that his only hope and destiny to live is to travel to the far east to the woods where the demon came from. When he arrives to get help from the deer god, he finds himself in the middle of a battle between the beasts of the forest and workers from an iron mining town who are exploiting and killing the forest for the iron ore. Leading the forest animals into battle is a human raised by wolves, Princess Mononoke.
Verdict
Imagine! Just imagine! when the best studio in the world picks up a film with one of the greatest plots ever made and put the most engaging background score ever, yup this concoction is Princess Mononoke! I think this film affected me on a personal level to the point where I just fell in love with the characters being portrayed. This is the only animation film that has stirred me to such an extent other I wouldn't that much about it. Its core meaning is the preservation of nature which we desperately need right now hence adding a relatable element tackling real-world issues while doing so. The fantasy elements are great too - a funny looking, deer god, a great majestic wolf, determined boars and the psyche of each character is admirable. Strong feminine characters such as Lady Eboshi, Princess Mononoke depicts the devotion and perseverance present in mankind and the Deer God shows the merciful wrath or the balance of life and death that is inherent in nature. Overall this film is a celebration in and of itself and hell I'm gonna go and watch the film now 😋.
Fantasy Meter: 10/10 🏆
I'm sad to hear about Miyazaki's departure from making films but I still cherish the films he's made so far and for shaping my childhood. So we should definitely be grateful for this amazing human and his work. This is my take on Miyakazi's Legacy And I heard his son is Squandering his legacy? What are your thoughts on this?
Subscribe with your email! Don't forget to Comment down your Opinions.
Please Share Our Article The Legacy Of Hayao Miyazaki's Anime Film Making with your friends, It means alot to us.
Team Galactic Sage :)
Write for us at kevinkooper01@gmail.com
Follow us on our social media ♥️
Support Us 😁
0 Comments