Perhaps the greatest animator of all time, after Walt Disney, Hayao Miyazaki’s work has touched the hearts of millions around the globe. Whether it be the nostalgia of growing up with My Neighbor Totoro, the chilling environmental message of Princess Mononoke, or the journey you were taken on in Spirited Away, his films have a way of staying with you. Miyazaki’s ability to capture beauty and life in his animations is unparalleled, and his work with Studio Ghibli and anime has helped bridge Eastern and Western culture. From cameos in Pixar films to tributes in the Simpsons, his influence is everywhere. But of his films, which is your favorite? Choose an answer in the poll below, tell me why in the comments, and share with your friends. I want to hear your thoughts!
Haven’t seen all of his movies? Need to finish your collection? Disney has recently announced the release of the “Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki” Bluray set, which will be a 12-disc, 11-film collection. This will be due out on November 17th.
Geekritique
Totoro was a favourite from my childhood. Spirited Away was the first other Miyazaki film I saw, and Nausicaa was my favourite for awhile when I saw it in Japanese class in highschool.
However, Mononoke is probably the show stealer for me. The plot, animation, characters, designs, action, mystery… everything is in sync in that movie. Gah! I love it!
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Princess Mononoke is my favourite. Just so epic and engaging. Hooks you all the way through. The art, as always is strikingly beautiful and the characters were just really lasting and powerful.
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Ha! This was really hard to narrow it down – I love them ALL!!!!
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I’m torn between Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Deliver Service. Kiki wins by a nose. I guess it’s because I wish I could BE Kiki: being a young witch striking out on your own with a sassy familiar just sounds so appealing! 🙂
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(Kiki’s Delivery Service is the only film of the lot I haven’t yet seen!) Shhh… Don’t tell anyone.
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Princess Mononoke for sure for me, its such a fantastic film! It was my first Miyazaki movie. Although all of the movies are great I also love Totoro and spirited away, definitely top three I think.
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Mononoke is also my personal favorite! Thanks for your vote!
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I love Howl’s Moving Castle. The whimsical nature and humor mixed with a moving story captured my heart (as did Howl 😍)
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Howl is awesome!
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You should read the book written by Diana Wynne Jones. The movie was beautiful but Miyazaki made Howl and Sophie far more responsible than they were in the book. Howl is absolutely ridiculous in a lovable way in the book which is the original. His vanity is incredible in the book and far understated in the movie. I think you will love it!
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I was obsessed with Spirited Away when I was little. I still love the movie to bits!
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Good answer. It was my first Miyazaki film. Saw it in a film class. Life was never the same since.
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I also love Spirited Away. Everything in that movie was just beautiful.
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Totoro for sure, because of its whimsy and narrative structure (no real antagonist). It can be enjoyed by a huge range of ages. How can you beat a Catbus?
I do also have a soft spot for Spirited Away, which is the first one I saw. There’s still several I haven’t seen…need to get on that 🙂
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You can’t beat a Catbus. There obviously should only be one answer. Totoro lol.
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I actually haven’t watched any entire film, just bits and pieces… though I own several. Everyone raves so much, and some of the stories sounded good so I blind-bought a lot of them when my budget would allow it. One day I hope to have time to sit and finally watch some.
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😵You’ve got so much to look forward to!!
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I’m envious of you, I wish I could re-experience these all from a fresh perspective. You seriously don’t know how oddly lucky you are!
Spirited Away is probably the best one to start off with, but Princess Mononoke, Totoro and Nausicaa are my personal favourites/obsessions.
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Yeah, it’s one of those rare things watching something cool for the first time after people have been raving about it. Usually I’m in much earlier on things than Miyazaki… I just never have found the time to actually sit and watch, but I know I want to.
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