The Ultimate Guide to All 24 Studio Ghibli Anime Films, Oldest to Newest

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released in 1984 and is set in a world after the collapse of civilization. Hayao Miyazaki directed it and explored the resounding theme of “Is it possible for humans to live together with nature?”

Strictly speaking, this movie is not a Studio Ghibli work because it was produced before the studio’s founding. However, it is widely recognized as a Ghibli work because Totoro appears at the beginning of the TV broadcast and the movie was included in the video collection sold by Studio Ghibli.

Synopsis

One thousand years after a war that destroyed advanced industrial civilization, a polluted forest called the Sea of Corruption spreads over the earth. When the chief of the Valley of the Wind, Jihl, is poisoned by the Sea of Corruption, his daughter Nausicaä becomes the country’s ruler in his place…

Laputa: Castle in the Sky is a feature-length anime film released in 1986 and the first film produced by Studio Ghibli. At the time, while many anime were moving towards themes like science fiction and robots that catered to older audiences, this film aimed to revive the market for children’s comic movies.

Although the film did not perform particularly well during its initial theatrical release, a survey conducted by distributor Toei found that the audience satisfaction rate was 97.7%, demonstrating that the film had gained support from a wide range of viewers.

Synopsis

The novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, Grave of the Fireflies, was adapted into a film directed by Isao Takahata. The film is based on Nosaka’s own experiences during the war.

Despite its heavy themes of war and tragedy, the film has become popular in Japan and internationally and is considered a masterpiece of war anime.

Synopsis

My Neighbor Totoro was released in 1988, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story takes place in rural Japan in the early Showa period.

It depicts the interaction between two sisters who have moved to the countryside and a mysterious creature called Totoro. While the distribution income was significantly lower than Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the film received many awards including first place in Kinema Junpo’s “Japanese Film Best Ten.” It has become very popular as it has been repeatedly broadcast on TV.

The film is characterized not only by its beautiful colours, such as the colour of the sky before the pale dawn but also by its many night scenes.

Synopsis

Kiki’s Delivery Service is a 1989 film based on a children’s literature work. It was directed by Kondo Katsuhiro and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The film depicts a fun and beautiful fantasy world. It is a popular work with a strong following and high fan support.

Studio Ghibli films often feature actors as voice actors, and Kiki’s Delivery Service had many famous anime voice actors appear in the film.

Synopsis

Only Yesterday is a film directed by Isao Takahata and based on a manga by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone. It was released in 1991. The story follows Taeko, an office worker who takes a vacation and stays with her sister’s relatives. On the way to her hometown in Yamagata, she reminisces about her fifth-grade memories.

The film is known for its meticulous attention to realism, with detailed depictions of the setting and the year 1966. The portrayal of “Hyokkori Hyotan Island” on a television set was particularly challenging, as there was little surviving material to work from.

Synopsis

Director Hayao Miyazaki’s anime film Porco Rosso was released in 1992. The story takes place in the Adriatic Sea of Italy and follows the life of the main character Porco, a pig who rides a seaplane to defeat air pirates and earn bounties. As the catchphrase says, “This is what it means to be cool,” the film depicts Porco’s chill way of living his life with romance.

One of the elements that create the mature atmosphere in Porco Rosso is the presence of the unique heroine Gina. What will become of the awkward love between these two? Pay attention to Gina, who patiently waits for Porco even though another man proposes to her!

Synopsis

Released in 1994 and directed by Isao Takahata, Pom Poko takes place in Tama, where tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) are being forced out of their homes in the forest due to development. They use their shapeshifting abilities, called “bakegaku,” to fight against humans and protect their homes.

While humans see deforestation as necessary for urbanization, Pom Poko explores the impact of this destruction on the animals living there. The tanuki’s comical antics are adorable and entertaining, but the film raises thought-provoking questions about environmental issues.

Synopsis

Released in 1995, yet still popular today, Whisper of the Heart depicts the pure love story of Shizuku Tsukishima, a bookworm, and Seiji Amasawa, a boy aspiring to become a violin craftsman. The song Country Road, which was already well-known, became even more popular thanks to this movie.

Whisper of the Heart carefully depicts the emotions of adolescence, including the brightness of pure love and the anxiety over career choices. It is sure to remind you of your forgotten first love!

Synopsis

Princess Mononoke is a masterpiece that director Miyazaki spent 16 years planning and three years producing, which broke the box office record for Japanese films at the time of its release in 1997.

The highlights of this film are not only its charming characters and magnificent world view but also Miyazaki’s answer to the weighty theme of “Can humans and nature coexist?” He had previously dealt with a similar theme in “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”

Although more than 20 years have passed since its initial release, it is still a beloved masterpiece.

Synopsis

My Neighbors the Yamadas is a 1999 anime film based on the 4-panel manga by Hisaichi Ishii. It was directed and written by Isao Takahata.

This comedy humorously portrays an ordinary family. While the humour is not particularly raucous, the film is well-structured and full of attention to detail, typical of Studio Ghibli productions. The animation style is unique and worth watching.

The former president of Nippon Television, Saneatsu Nishimae, was a big fan of this film. His enthusiasm helped to bring about the production of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Synopsis

Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was released in 2001. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is highly acclaimed overseas, ranking fourth in the “100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century” list by the BBC.

The film has been broadcast on television many times due to its popularity, and each time, fans have exchanged their thoughts and analysis on the mysteries hidden within the story.

Spirited Away is a masterpiece that offers a variety of enjoyable elements, including its enchanting world, fascinating characters like Haku, Kamaji, and No-Face, and the growth of the protagonist Chihiro.

Synopsis

The Cat Returns story takes place in the same world as Whisper of the Heart, featuring the character Baron, and is set up as a story written by the protagonist of Whisper of the Heart, Shizuku Tsukishima.

The film follows the adventures of Haru, a high school girl who gets taken to the Cat Kingdom after saving a cat from being hit by a car. There, she is forced to marry the prince of the Cat Kingdom and begins to take on feline characteristics.

Through her adventures with the cats Baron and Muta, Haru learns valuable lessons and grows as a person. The film was directed by Hiroyuki Morita, who also worked on the 2012 anime One Piece: Episode of Luffy – Adventure on Hand Island.

Synopsis

Howl’s Moving Castle was released in 2004. As director Hayao Miyazaki said, “all explanations of the work have been avoided,” making it a work geared towards advanced viewers.

The film gained attention for Takuya Kimura’s performance as the protagonist, Howl, a former member of the Japanese boy band SMAP. The film’s appeal lies in its strong fantasy story and the beauty of its fantastical scenes.

The subtle love story between Sophie, who has been transformed into an old woman, and the handsome wizard Howl is also a highlight.

Synopsis

Tales from Earthsea was released in 2006 as the debut film of Goro Miyazaki, the son of Hayao Miyazaki. It is based on the American novel Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The film features characters such as Arren, who killed his father, and Teru, who was abused and abandoned by her parents, each with their circumstances and wounds.

The relationships between the characters, which they create together, are very realistic. Instead of categorizing it as a fantasy work, look closer at the reality in this magnificent world!

Synopsis

Ponyo released in 2008, is a rare children’s anime film in Miyazaki’s later works. It is Miyazaki’s directorial work, following the release of Howl’s Moving Castle in 2004, after a gap of four years.

The theme song by Fujimaki Fujioka and child actress Nozomi Ohashi became popular. The film features the beautiful underwater scenery where Ponyo and her friends live, as well as the innocent and charming character of the protagonist Ponyo and the boy Sosuke, making it a compelling film that captures the hearts of its viewers.

Synopsis

The Secret World of Arrietty released in 2010 is the debut work of director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who is expected to support Ghibli’s future. Among the films directed by someone other than Miyazaki, it is the highest-grossing film.

The voice of Arrietty is played by Mirai Shida, who made her voice-acting debut in this film. Human boy Sho is played by Ryunosuke Kamiki, who has appeared in Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Other prominent actors such as Tatsuya Fujiwara and Kirin Kiki also lent their voices to the film.

Synopsis

From Up on Poppy Hill is a 2011 film directed by Goro Miyazaki, based on a manga by Tetsuro Sayama and Chizuru Takahashi.

The film portrays a bittersweet youth, with Aoi Teshima’s music perfectly matching the atmosphere. It depicts the high school students’ youthfulness refreshingly and painfully. The students in the film are full of energy, and some viewers may be reminded of their student days.

The film features a lot of French languages, and the title “Kokuriko” means “coquelicot” in French, a type of poppy flower. The protagonist, Umi Matsuzaki, is called “Meru,” which is a shortened form of “La Mer” (French for “the sea”).

Synopsis

The Wind Rises is a feature film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 2013 and marked his retirement from feature film direction. The film is the only one of Miyazaki’s works based on a real person, Jiro Horikoshi, who was the designer of the Zero fighter plane.

The Wind Rises tells the story of a man captivated by the sky. Jiro Horikoshi devoted his life to designing beautiful airplanes, but he had to make many sacrifices to realize that dream.

During the war, the beautiful airplanes he designed became tools of destruction. Jiro’s life, driven by the blind pursuit of his dream, teaches us many valuable lessons about how we should live our lives.

Synopsis

In 2013, Studio Ghibli adapted the classic Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter into an anime film titled The Tale of Princess Kaguya. The film was known for its difficult production, taking eight years from planning to release.

Isao Takahata directed the film, and famous actors such as Aki Asakura and Kengo Kora provided the voices for the characters. The animation utilized the same technique as My Neighbor Yamada-kun, with a brush-like touch to the visuals, creating a unique style different from that of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli films.

The story revolves around Princess Kaguya’s struggles, but many other characters also appear, adding to the overall narrative.

Synopsis

Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi brought the English novel by Joan G. Robinson to life in the 2014 animated film When Marnie Was There.

Unlike the original novel, the story takes place in Japan, and the protagonist, Anna is changed to a Japanese girl named Anna.

This was the first Studio Ghibli film to feature dual heroines. The way Anna, who struggles to connect with others and suffers from self-hatred, and Marnie, who hides a deep sadness behind her innocent smile, are drawn to each other makes one feel the genuine, genderless love between them.

Synopsis

The Red Turtle was released in 2016. A foreign director, Michael Dudok de Wit, produced it and it was the first Studio Ghibli film to be made outside of Japan.

This film is unusual for a Ghibli production in that it is a silent movie and is closer to art and artistic expression. The story depicts the interaction between the protagonist, who has washed up on a deserted island, and a single sea turtle he meets there.

During the 80-minute runtime of the film, viewers can experience the sensation of their bodies blending in naturally with the sea. Although there is no dialogue, the film captures our eyes and ears with attention to detail, such as characters’ facial expressions, sounds emanating from nature, and inserted music.

Synopsis

The film tells the story of Earwig, a girl who grew up in an orphanage and is adopted by a witch, and her adulthood.

Under the guidance of the witch Bella, Earwig becomes her assistant but is constantly ordered around without being taught any magic in return. Earwig decides to outsmart Bella with the help of the black cat Thomas.

The film’s most notable feature is that it is Studio Ghibli’s first 3D CG film, a significant challenge for the studio that has previously focused on hand-drawn animation.

Synopsis

This film will be directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who previously announced his retirement after The Wind Rises. The film is based on a children’s book written by Genzaburo Yoshino, a war veteran, in 1937, which was recently adapted into a popular manga.

The film is set to be promoted similarly to “Slam Dunk”, with very little information about the plot being revealed. It is expected to be released on July 14, 2023, and is said to be near completion

Synopsis

The main character, Junichi Honda, also known as Copper, is an academically excellent student who excels in sports and has a certain amount of popularity.

He spends his days with his friends and experiences various events while learning about things like “perspectives” and “social structure”…