This is a thread to talk about the genius of the amazing Hayao Miyazaki. I figure that this is a great time to start this thread because his film Ponyo was just released on DVD. So what film is your favorite? How about scenes or lines? Don't you just want to go live at Studio Ghibli lol...

So go for it...discuss away my friends.

My personal favorites are Howls Moving Castle and Spirited Away, for those were the first two films that exposed me to the mind of the wonderful creator that is Miyazaki, since then I have seen most of his works and read quite a bit of his manga, and art books from his works. I'd have to say I am quite a fan. ^_^

The first Miyazaki film I saw was Princess Mononoke, which blew me away and is still my favorite. But he makes it hard to have one favorite with Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away. I have to say that Haku was my favorite character from these movies. I have yet to see Ponyo so I'm thinking about picking up the DVD.

I have a number of favourite Miyazaki works, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa, Ponyo, it's hard not to love his films!

At the same time though, I think the other directors at Studio Ghibli are sadly underrated. I hold Isao Takahata's work in the highest regard and he has also made some of my favourite Ghibli movies; Only Yesterday, Pom Poko, Grave of the Fireflies etc. I think he has a very different style but just as good! And of course there are others like Morita and the newcomer directing the Borrower Anettie, but I disgress. ;)

choosing my favorite was hard, but i'd have to go with Princess Mononoke. it was also the first i ever saw. now i wanna watch it, but i don't have it here with me! T_T

KireiNaKitty: I know exactly what you mean when you say it's hard to pick a favorite. Especially when the first film you see of his always holds a special place of honor in ones heart. You really should check out Ponyo, its an adorable story that is also very beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone of any age. ^_^

Huffie: I am also a fan of other directors from studio Ghibli...it is just if it wasn't for the works of Miyazaki I probably never would have gotten to know of the studio and its collected works. Pom Poko is fantastic and I also completely enjoy the work of Isao Takahata. ^_^

Gibbet: I know what you mean, I would love to watch a movie or two of his...but alas they are packed and in storage until I find a new place to live. I manage to get my fix through what is posted on Youtube though. ^_^

My first Miyazaki film was Kiki's Delivery Service, and I saw it on TV. It was adorable <3 Then I saw Princess Mononoke, which is probably his bloodiest movie, and one of the most beautiful and deepest. Still, My favorite has to be Spirited Away, all the mythology and beauty of it, and Haku has got to be Miyazaki's most romantic and deep male protagonist. I've also seen a few more, and cant wait to get my hands on Ponyo. I haven't seen seen My Neighbor Totoro and The Cat Returns. Anyone care to tell me about them?

i loved all the characters in howl's and spirited away.
wasn't chirstian bale the voice of howl in the english version? mmm christian bale!
anywho, prince justin/ turnip head and calcifer stole my heart.

also, i loved the lil sootballs in spirited away! ^^

i am hoping to get ponyo tonight.. it looks diffferent from the art he usually does!

I think perhaps this thread would be a better fit for the Manga/Anime Forum, so i'll just move it along. :)

I love anything Miyazaki creates along with Studio Ghibli! I can watch their movies all day!

My favorite ones have to be My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. I know Ponyo is going to be added to that list once I finally see it! I've been waiting ever since it came out in Japan.

My Neighbor Totoro was the first film I've seen by him and its still my favorite to this day. I saw the first dub of it, not the crappy Disney one, and its so cute. I was able to see Spirited Away in theaters with my dad and we were both blown away with how radical it is.

Koraru: Satsuki and Mei are two girls living in post war japan, they move with their father to the countryside when their mother contracts T.B. They move in order to be close to her as she is staying in a hospital. They all hope that getting away from the crowds and pollution in the big city will help her recover faster. When they sisters get to their new home, they become instantly aware of strange creatures around them. They are black creatures called susa-atari who occupy dark and quiet places. Their elderly neighbour Granny then tells them that the village is filled with stories of wondrous creatures. One of these creatures is Totoro and the story goes from there...It's a great movie in the same vein as Spirited Away. I really think you should check it out, it's an enjoyable experience with a great message. The Cat Returns is a movie I haven't seen in a while I know there is a girl named Haru & she saves a cat from being run over by a truck. I remember it was very cute. ^_^

Mau5ie: Indeed Christina Bale was the voice of Howl in Howl's Moving Castle. He was amazing voice wise for that movie. The art for Ponyo seems different at first, the palette of colors he used was softer then his usual works, but there is no mistaking his work once you get into it. It's enjoyable...it just felt short when I went and saw it in theaters. I don't own it yet but I really plan to. ^_^

Weech: That was how I first saw My Neighbor Totoro as well. I know what you mean Spirited Away in theaters was so amazing on the big screen. The images just literally came out of the screen. It makes me smile. ^_^

The first Miyazaki film I saw was Kiki's Delivery service. I think it was actually on the Disney channel, but I'm not sure. My favorite's so far would have to be Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Princess Mononoke. I haven't seen Ponyo yet, but I definitely plan to in the future.

Also, my favorite characters from all his movies would have to be Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle and Haku from Spirited Away.

@ Muraki - - I have started a collection, and this looks like it will be added as well! i love christian bale in any role he does and was just tickled he was in this movie! :3

~Well My first Miyazaki film I ever saw was Spirited Away, but My Top Three favorites are:
1. Howl's Moving Castle
2. Nausicaa
3. The Cat's Return
~I really love the artistry and the creativity of each film. And I think that they do a very good job dubbing his films. They always pick great actors and actress that really fit the part. I loved it that they picked Tim Curry to be the Cat King in The Cat's Return. I wouldn't pick any other but him ^_^. I also love the music of each film ( and of course right now I have the theme song from Ponyo swimming in my mind....lol) I am trying to get all of his movies on DVD and so far I have quite a few ^_^

Originally Posted by Muraki

Huffie: I am also a fan of other directors from studio Ghibli...it is just if it wasn't for the works of Miyazaki I probably never would have gotten to know of the studio and its collected works. Pom Poko is fantastic and I also completely enjoy the work of Isao Takahata. ^_^

Oh yes, don't worry, I wasn't referring to you when I made the remark about the other directors being underrated. :XD

Originally Posted by AnimeMoonKitty

3. The Cat's Return

Sorry, I can't help but point this out: The Cat Returns is NOT directed by Hayao Miyazaki! :lol: I can see how you might get confused though, since he did make the first film that features the Baron; Whisper of the Heart, I believe it's called. :yes: But no, The Cat Returns was actually by Hiroyuki Morita.

[email protected] Huffie: You're Right. I've never realized it because it is from Studio Ghibli, but I still like it all the same ^_^

shinigamikarasu: I am completely with you in your choices for favorite characters but I have to add to mine of course the character of Howl I'm not even completely sure why but when I first encountered that character I was struck by him in a major way.

Kiki's Delivery Service was adorable I first saw that with subs. I highly enjoyed it and the art for the manga just drew me to it...after I read it I just knew I had to see the movie. ^_^

Mau5ie: You are a person after my soul lol...I want to start my own collection...but can't quite yet. I do own Howl's Moving Castle however, and that role was just perfection...they made a right move for sure when they chose Christian Bale. ^_^

AnimeMoonKitty: I am so glad that disney is doing right by his films and in the way they are bringing them to the masses. I do enjoy most of the people that they pick to dub his films as well. I love that all of his movies have a basic theme and almost a moral to them or something to teach people about such topics as pollution...ect. (theme from Ponyo is good stuff) His art is just so visually stunning to the eye one can't help but love it. Tim Curry is amazing but as Huffie said not a Miyazaki film...lol I should have pointed that out last night...(lack of sleep lol) ^_^ I enjoy a lot of Ghibli films though and not a lot of the other directors are as talked about...sad to say it. The Cat Returns is an amazing Ghibli work & should really be a sound board for promoting others from Ghibli. ^_^

Huffie: Don't worry, I didn't think you were really. ^_^

[email protected]: I'm glad to that Disney is doing a great job of keeping his film in there most perfect form too ^_^

AnimeMoonKitty: Yeah, it makes me smile. It's only because they have fans within Disney that would kick and scream and make all sorts of problems if Miyazaki's work wasn't honored.

Today I am happy cause I got My Neighbor Totoro from the library and have had it reserved forever lol...^_^

I really love all of his films, I think my favorite would have to be a tie between Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving castle. :) i watched Kiki all the time when I was little and as for Howl's Moving Castle I was charmed by the art, plot and the characters. :D

I think my favorite character would have to be a tie between Howl and Ashitaka, both were pretty charming guys, Howl was such a drama queen and Ashitaka just seemed like a nice character to me. <3

[email protected]: Congrates! ^_^ Yesterday I got Kiki Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky. I also got Pom Poko and My Neighbors the Yamadas ^_^

Originally Posted by AnimeMoonKitty

[email protected] Huffie: You're Right. I've never realized it because it is from Studio Ghibli, but I still like it all the same ^_^

It is a great movie, isn't it? :D Not one of my personal favs, but it's hard to find a Ghibli movie that ISN'T great, you know?

Although I've heard Goro Miyazaki's Earthsea is actually pretty bad, has anyone here seen it?

Originally Posted by Muraki

I do own Howl's Moving Castle however, and that role was just perfection...they made a right move for sure when they chose Christian Bale. ^_^

Personally I didn't really care for the voice actor for Howl, he's alright, but I really wish they had cast a Welshman rather than an American! :(

But Howl's Moving Castle isn't one of my favs anyway, it's fine, I just much prefer the book. Although the movie's still good! I just thought that some parts were confusing and some things were left unexplained, I also thought the characters were a little on the dull side compared to how they are in the novel. :yes: But you can never expect a film adaptation to be as good as the book it's based on, anyway. :) (That's why I'm not sure I want to read the original of 'Kiki's Delivery Service', I'm afraid I'll like the movie less for it!)

[email protected] Huffie: I've seen and have Earthsea, and I didn't think it was bad. Not one of my favorites but it was pretty good.

@ muraki - d'awww. /blushes


i finally saw Ponyo, and now see the artistry is the same. in the previews it looked completely different to me.
another amazing film by miyazaki with an astounding message for the masses.
definitely buying it on friday!

has anyone else see Ponyo yet?
did it make you cry like me? or am i really just a sap?

[email protected] Mau5ie: I've seen it ^_^ and it made me cry a little too., but I'm a big sap as it is anyway when I watch his films :sweat:

@ animemoonkitty -- whew.
i'm not the only one! :D