All credit goes to Cecilia for making the event poster.
Monday: Spirited Away
As part of our Studio Ghibli week, the club starts off with an anime film that is acclaimed by both critics and audiences alike.
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this Japanese animated film is truly among one of the greatest ever made. Productions from Studio Ghibli never failed to deliver a beautiful storyline, breathtaking animation, outstanding soundtracks and delightful characters all into one mix. Spirited Away is one anime film that needs to be seen and appreciated by audiences of all ages.
Chihiro is a ten year old girl moving into a new neighbourhood with her parents. Entering into an alternate reality where spirits and monsters live, Chihiro takes a job working in Yubaba’s bathhouse to free herself and her parents after they had been turned into pigs. She befriends a young boy named Haku who seems to share his past with Chihiro.
Released in 2001, it became the most successful film in Japanese history. It was acclaimed by both critics and audiences and is considered one of the greatest animated films of all time. In addition, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002, beating out Shrek and Ice Age.
It cannot be denied that Spirited Away is a film every anime fan must see. Everything from the artwork to the storyline to the soundtrack bears a tiny piece of magic Miyazaki puts into his creation. Regarded as Disney in the East, Miyazaki presents another world that brings out the child in all of us.
There are many things about this film that words cannot describe. Firstly, the storyline is simple though it goes in many directions as it progresses. At times it can get confusing and requires multiple viewings to really understand its themes and context. Without a doubt, the story is a reminiscence of Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of OZ. It carries many nostalgic aspects that will make you feel like you have really entered into another world unlike any other. Secondly, the characters are likeable and unique for their personality and design. Particularly for the spirits, you can imagine the amount of work and imagination the artists have input to create these creatures from an alternate universe. Although there are a diverse range of characters that are either good guys or not, the amount of detail that brings these characters to life are incredible to imagine. Thirdly, the soundtrack is something worth listening to over and over again. Piano BGMs (Background Music) are soothing and relaxing; many of them fit perfectly for each scene played throughout the film. It is worth appreciating for the amount of emotion that is conveyed whenever wonderful music is heard.
Anyone getting started into anime should at least check out this film. Not only because it is from Studio Ghibli but it significantly defines what makes anime distinctively remarkable compare to other animated films that have come out before and after its time. It is quite a long film and does require some patience during some scenes but each play an important part to the key themes – independence, self-discovery and love.
Tuesday: Grave of the Fireflies
Considered one of the most moving and powerful films to depict of war, this cannot be simply overlooked as a beautifully structured animated film. Grave of the Fireflies has the unique balance of emotion and storytelling with the providence of stunning animation, heart-warming characters, breath-taking soundtrack and a careful analysis of the key themes.
Released in 1988, Grave of the Fireflies was based on the 1967 semi-autobiography novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. It was written and directed by Isao Takahata and animated by Studio Ghibli. This studio is well known for its nostalgic, mystical and fantasy adventures delighted by both adults and children. However this film sets the bar on how well stories can be told and does not require complex animation or styles. The story focuses in Japan during and in the aftermath of World War II. Seita is a young boy looks after his younger sister Setsuko when their mother dies due to the bombing and invasion of their home. The film follows their struggle to survive with minimum portions of food, abandonments from the selfishness of society and the bond between the siblings strengthened during a time of turmoil.
This film received positive to universal acclaim from critics. It is ranked among one of the greatest animated films of all time but also one of the greatest of war films. Grave of the Fireflies not only depicts what happens during war but the effects of war and the impact it has on people’s behaviours and their interactions with each other. Since then, two live action remakes have been produced (2005 and 2008). However, the anime film must be watched and does require a box of tissues upon first viewing.
Grave of the Fireflies is an emotional ride; from the beginning it clearly establishes that it is a depressing and sad atmosphere given the synopsis and background understanding of modern history. The real emotion is delivered when you are on the journey with the characters – particularly between Seita and Setsuko. Through them, you will be presented an overall meaning of what people went through during times of conflict and distress. The animation is spot on and perfectly conveys the emotions at the time moment. Studio Ghibli never disappoints with its art and animation. In this case, it nicely balances between beauty and disaster – disaster in the sense that the damage of war tears apart the once beautiful world the characters lived in. At the same time, it graphically depicts the repercussions of war on society and the individuals through simple scenes such as searching for food or bathing in the dark. After watching the film, it will leave wondering and consider the other perspective of what it was like for the people going through war. It will certainly open your eyes about certain things about the world.
Wednesday: Tales from EarthSea
Also titled ‘Gedo Senki’, this anime film is based on a combination of plots and characters from the first four books of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. The way it is constructed will either please fans or disappoint them.
Dragons are being seen by humans in a world which they should not enter. The story focuses on Ged, a wandering wizard investigating such conflict between humans and dragons. Prince Arren is also introduced as a young distraught teenage boy with another name, embodies the shyness of adolescence and has a severe dark side. His protection of Tehanu comes alive when his hatred, ruthlessness and limited mercy are drawn to his power. However the witch Kumo would use this to his advantage and uncovers the boy’s fears to reach to Ged.
Released in 2006, the film was directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki. Unfortunately, compare to his father’s work, Goro still has a few plot holes to fill in this film, particularly if you are comprising a large amount of literature into a short few hours of storytelling. Yet again, the art and animation remains as the standout as with all Studio Ghibli films never fail to do. The way in which this film can be viewed at depends on the viewer themselves. When I first watched the film, I was in awe of the art and animation. I am still keen for a good storyline and on most occasions, the plot often goes in directions that are confusing or leave me wondering for myself what happened which in some cases not really ideal for an audience. Without a doubt, it is still a solid, good story and this film might perhaps encourage a discovery of the novels the film was based on. The English dub is still performed well but listening to the Japanese dub with the subs might further assist in understanding the story. Just keep an eye out for the artwork and listen to the intense soundtrack, with a light essence of fantasy featured at some points.
Thursday: My Neighbour Totoro
This beloved anime film is regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made. It is also claimed by critics and audiences alike to be a film that brings out the child in all of us – this film and its themes is never too far from the truth.
Released in 1988, this Japanese animated fantasy film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the story of two young daughters, Hidaka and Sakamoto, of a professor and move in aid of their sick mother. Meanwhile, they interact with the friendly wood spirits who live nearby.
This story takes place in postwar rural Japan and greatly contrasts with the atmosphere that was in Grave of the Fireflies. In fact, this film was screened alongside the fore-mentioned film in Japan to lift up the emotions felt by the general audience that greatly consisted of children. The film won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Film in 1988. Its video release came out in the United States in 1993 with the title My Friend Totoro. It was re-released by Disney and Madman in 2006, featuring a new dub cast.
The film was positively received by film critics and identified as one of the finest films created by Miyazaki and one for animation, period. Additionally, the main character of the film, Totoro, is also ranked as one of the most memorable characters in anime. The release of Totoro has also launched a large cultural impact. For example, Totoro is regarded as the ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ of the East and greatly influenced environmental issues when a Fund Campaign used Totoro as a mascot in 1990.
A four-volume series of ani-manga books that used color images and dialogue from the film have been published in Japan in 1988. Mei and the Kittenbus is a thirteen-minute sequel to My Neighbor Totoro, written and directed by Miyazaki was released in 2003 shown for a limited time at the Ghibli Musuem.
Most critics would agree with me that this film demonstrates the perfect ability to balance happiness and sadness suitable for both children and adults alike. Open first viewing, its nostalgic feel in both the characters and the world is reminiscent to that of Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh and Mary Poppins. Its plot is simple but the world of Totoro is indescribable to imagine and depict to an audience. This film simply takes your breath away for how complex scenes are played between the characters and even the simplicity of the character of Totoro that touches your heart during emotional and happy scenes.
Friday: Howl’s Moving Castle
Wouldn’t mind a house like this…it might in fact take the cars off the road for a change. But this is not like a medieval castle but rather a home filled with magic and mystery…only Studio Ghibli films can pull this off. As for the final film of Studio Ghibli week, it still won’t certainly be the last of embracing the wonderful world that is of this studio and its films.
The story is about Sophie. She starts out as an 18-year-old hat maker, until a witch’s curse transforms her into a 90-year-old grey-haired woman. Sophie is horrified by the change at first. Nevertheless, she learns to embrace it as a liberation from anxiety, fear and self-consciousness.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by English writer Dianna Wayne-Jones. It was scripted and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 2004, and became one of the successful films at the Japanese box office in history. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film in 2006.
The art and beauty of England is greatly reflected in this film. It cannot be denied that Studio Ghibli has a consistency in presenting high quality animation. Although the story stumbles at some points, the characters are what keeps this film strong and solid. Its themes of anxiety and fear are clearly identifiable, particularly through the character of Sophie, which audiences of young teenage girls can quickly identify with. Its soundtrack is absolutely stunning and soothing to listen to; it has a balance of exciting and relaxing tones which are suitable for this film’s atmosphere.
ACU Anime Club 