What is Ghibli?

The New York Times

 First and foremost, Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio. Named after an Italian noun meaning "hot desert wind" the studio was founded by animators/directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Suzuki Toshio. According to Miyazaki (who christened the studio), Ghibli was created with the goal to “blow a new wind through the anime industry." 

Over the years, Ghibli has made good on this promise. Since its creation in 1985, the studio has been responsible for some of the most beloved and widely acclaimed animated films of all time. With a still expanding catalogue of 23 films and various other animation projects, the studio has proven time and again the quality of its production and the beauty of its storytelling. This is in large part thanks to the creativity and skill of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata themselves.

My first recollection of a Ghibli film is from spending nights at my grandparents as a kid. My grandma would make popcorn for my siblings and I, and we would often watch one of several Ghibli movies before bed. Funnily enough though, one of my most vivid memories from this time were the nightmares one film in particular gave me.

Art of Animation

With its arresting imagery, hauntingly beautiful orchestration, and mature subject matter it's evident that Princess Mononoke is a film for older audiences. While many Westerners see the medium of animation as mere "cartoons" this film alone blows away these preconceived notions of animation being for the immature. Be that as it may, there I was as a kid, watching it anyway. Today, I consider this film among my all-time favorites, but as a kid it certainly left an unpleasant impression on me. I can recall certain scenes in particular that made frequent appearances in my nightmares. 

While this introduction to Ghibli might have been frightening for my young-self, over time my love for the studio has only grown and I've gone on to appreciate its many other works. Whether you're a long time fan or have just the slightest interest, I hope to share my enthusiasm for this great studio and the films it creates through this blog. Posts here could range from the studio's history, interesting information about the movies and their production, or even just appreciation of a particular film. Comments are always welcome, and if you take away anything from this blog, it should be that you should check out a Ghibli film ASAP!