Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso are the lesser known, but very fun to watch Ghiblis! It's themes aren't as profound as mononoke, or nausicaa, but very beautiful movies EDIT: DO NOT WATCH THE DUB of Castle in the sky: the teenage boy protagonist in the japanese dub suddenly becomes a short middle aged man in the english dub... the relation between the protagonists seem... so weird due to it
This was the first anime/Studio Ghibli film I ever saw. It’s so immersive and I literally get disappointed every time it ends because the world is so incredible.
My favorite thing in literally any Ghibli movie is how good the food looks. It’s just illegal to watch any of these movies without a snack or something
Japanese seem to have a bit of an obsession with food to the point that I know Japanese who pay taxes to a province in which they do NOT live to gain access to a special strain of rice. It is certainly a theme that you see and read about in a lot of Japanese anime and light novels.
07:47 Like I have commented before, plots are rarely important in traditional drama or entertainment storytelling in Eastern cultures. Even though Ghibli is a very modern studio and Miyazaki is obsessed with ww2 or western stories, their works are still VERY Japanese, including visual, scores, themes and characters(Miyazaki's preference is more clearer in the aspect of characters). The important part is HOW they do the story. The plot really isn't important, 'cause everyone already knows the types of growing-up stories and the folklore behind this film. And again, I don't think everyone knows that animation or any kind of entertainments in Japan are mostly directed for Japanese, the structure of the industry doesn't really allow creator to aim for international market from the beginning of any production. But again, a real good art can provide several perspective through its medium. How studio Ghibli design for its own audience isn't the way you have to enjoy it.
Completely agree. I find that Eastern cultures value more contemplation and restraint whereas Western cultures prefer stimulus. There is always a certain ambiguity and shadowy quality that highlights quiet beauty. And even though Japan has modernized and westernized a lot, and you can see that in Miyazaki's works, he also is mindful of this tradition, which makes him such a unique director.
People who bang on about "plot" have a really narrow idea of what a plot should be, which isn't helped by the excessive formularization of Hollywood blockbuster-type storytelling.
@@nangke Indeed, I often get frustrated that every single that is ever mentioned in a film or a series is always relevant later on. Life isn't like that, stories shouldn't be like that. It makes all storylines so predictable because everything that you see or read about will be discussed later on and will be connected to other events later on. I actually had never even considered there to be a problem with Spirited Away's plot not connecting and I have to think quite hard about what they are referring to.
I have always felt that Spirited Away is like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "The Little Prince". Everything is metaphor and the more times you read the book/ watch the movie, the more meanings and symbols you can find.
What a coincidence, I am currently reading the book for the first time (In french to practise aswell) For the first time and I definetely see that comparison.
For me, the biggest one was when I realized that pretty much all Miyazaki movies deal with anticapitalism, environmentalism, antifascism and similar themes in one way or another. There's so much subtext, so much meaning, these films have so damn much to say.
I have a personal interpretation about Spirited Away: I think the beauty of this anime is that it represents the world of adults as seen by a child, who suddently had to grow up (because she lost her parents), and who can not yet describe and even name (let alone understand) the world she has stepped into. Also as Daniel mentionned (and I think this is something we all saw) the anime starts with Chihiro moving to a new place, and she's scared of it. This new place is filled with mysteries and possibilities, but also unnamable danger and crualty that Chihiro must overcome on her own; she has to adapt to this society in order to survive and, most of all, she must overcome her fears.
I think there might well be a reason why Spirited Away leaves so many plot threads hanging... It gives a sense that there's more going on in the world than the protagonist's journey. Her visit is only a matter of days, and she's got her priorities of what she needs to do (although these do change somewhat over the course of the film) and a limited amount of time in which to achieve them. It's only natural that she's going to come across hints of things that she's just not going to be able to afford to take the time to investigate, let alone resolve. The protagonist is simply a visitor in a world that was there before she arrived, will still be there after she leaves, and where each of the spirits has their own story - it makes it feel all the more realistic as a world that exists beyond the confines of the story that not everything gets wrapped up over the course of a mortal's stay in their world. How many times in real life do you catch a brief snippet of something and think "there's a deeper story and/or issue there", but never get the opportunity to hear the full story or see the resolution of the issue, especially if you already have enough issues of your own to deal with? I think the loose plot threads in Spirited Away are intended to reflect that. There are things going on in the spirit world that the protagonist (and therefore, the audience) will just never know.
Hey Daniel, I wanted to write a general comment. I've been here for about a year now, and I'm consistently enjoying your videos. I love the informal, but well-researched style with humour and wit. I think the little afterthoughts and notes give it a very personal feeling, like each video is a page in your notebook with different scribbles on the sides, a joy to discover. It also helps that I like your style of analysis and I usually agree with your points, even if my opinion differs. You have a good sense of logic and I love the more passionate stances you take on certain issues. Fantasy is truly blessed with a champion like you😉😊. Greetings from Germany
I was in 4th grade when my friend introduced me to Spirited Away back on VHS. Now as an adult getting close to thirty and a full on weeb, it’s still holds up as one of my favorite anime films of all time.
I saw Princess Mononoke when I was a bit fed up with the black-and-white morality especially in most animated movies and fantasy books I was reading at the time (tying in to some of the complaints by Daniel to YA) so it made a big impression. Still, I like Spirited Away better, but that is because I am a sucker for these kind of spirit worlds were the laws of logic are so different from RL: chaos with a pattern as Daniel describes it.
Fun fact: I took my good buddy to see Spirited Away when it was screened at our local theater in glorious HD. He'd never seen the film, I'd seen it about a thousand times. Both of us cried.
Spirited Away is the quintessential gateway into the magical world that has been created by the geniuses of Studio Ghibli. A splash of beauty and monumental utter chaos is entwined with a charm that cannot be matched. Animation at it's peak. Unbeatable work.
Have you seen Song of the sea. Amazing movie, Irish themed (not Ghibli). Also I have been on a Ghibli binge and one of the best surprises has been My Neighbors the Yamadas
Hello Future Me did a video about Soft Worldbuilding recently, with Spirited Away as a prime example. Worth watching as an addition to this review, looking at HOW the world of Spirited Away was built to get the effect that Daniel describes.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love it so much. The thin plot does not bother me at all because the animation, the characters, the themes are so rich. It is an immersive experience. The musical score just supports everything perfectly without being obtrusive or distracting.
this has been my fav movie since i was little. always touches my heart in a way like no other film has. even though i watch it like twice a year im always fascinated and excited
Daniel, I want to take a moment and thank you. As a writer, you & Merphy have given me a lot to think about, and provided a better explanation for things, that I myself couldn't quite find a better explanation for. You and merphy certainly did that and I appreciate it. My current WIp has been a Grimdark novel that is more character focused than the overall arching theme.
This movie changed my life. I saw it by accident in sixth grade and it’s what propelled me into art. Every year or so I’d watch it again and gain something new from it. I saw reflections of myself in her as I aged. I felt like it was a coming of age story that I could always revisit and see myself in her. I have her tattooed on my forearm (cover shot) to remind myself no matter how small and scared I am that I can always grow and unlock my strength. She’s my reminder of how far I’ve come and how strong I can be.
I love when you guys do videos together! You guys should do another fantasy recommendation video now that you have both read way more fantasy books since your last one.
Highly recommend watching Akira and Your Name for some amazing non-Ghibli anime films. Especially Akira is a MUST watch to appreciate the medium as it is probably the most important Japanese animated film of all time.
These 2 reviews remind me of young people going to eat at a fancy foreign restaurant for the first time. They have their limited dietary experience, and a palate that is very much set around looking for the same food on the menu that they "like". They don't see the food they like so they have to try something new. The first kid says wow, this is really yummy, whatever it is I like it. The second kid is like, well I guess its ok, but you know next time you are going out to eat they are going to want to go where they can get a burger and fries.
It feels like Murphy just has a blast talking and just that satisfaction alone is enough for her to sustain herself. One day I will find something that can give me a similar level of satisfaction that Murphy gets from forming words with her mouth.
Usually when I watch a film with my young nephew and cousin, they tend to get bored and wander off. With this film, they sat through the whole thing captivated and once it ended, they wanted to watch it again. That’s a testament to the skill of Studio Ghibli!
i take the loose plot threads/unaddressed plot threads as the viewer being in same mind frame as The main character. Sen doesn't know these threads and has no reason to care, she's an unwilling visitor to this world who is both is awe of and terrified of the world around her. She's not Harry Potter wanting to understand the history of Hogwarts and the Wizarding world, she's a little girl trying to wake up from a strange and sometimes scary dream. Just my perspective! Not gonna work for everyone of course :)
Spirited away was my first Ghibli movie, and it'll always be my favourite one too. The experience of watching it was magical and dream-like, even for a Ghibli film, and I've always been drawn to stories like that. The plot-holes or abandoned plot-threads are not really that jarring at all, as it comes across more as a story-telling quirk rather than a real weakness. It's like when my grandma told me stories she knew, but always added her own strange anecdotes and took little detours from the actual plot because I hated it when the stories ended.
The impact of Miyazaki on storytelling is what it is, this man can make an animated movie more alive that some of the live actions we see on our days. I highly recommend Nausica
For anyone interested: Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso are the lesser known, but very fun to watch Ghiblis! It's themes aren't as profound as mononoke, or nausicaa, but still very beautiful and enjoyable movies DO NOT WATCH THE DUB of Castle in the sky: the teenage boy protagonist in the japanese dub suddenly becomes a short middle aged man in the english dub... the relation between the protagonists seem... so weird due to it
"One of the most traumatic things a kid could go through. A move." I've lived in three countries, most recently to Germany. the record for staying in one place at a time is about to break the record of four years
I’ve moved countries 6 times and possibly 7 soon, and I know someone who has lived in 9 countries but has moved back and fourth between them, but to be honest I think it’s a good thing, it builds maturity and character, no need to be traumatised by it
I saw this as an older teenager, but it somehow felt like the feeling of watching a movie as a young child. ... If that makes any sense. There was a weird sense of nostalgia tied to it despite the fact that I'd never seen it. It was magical.
I remember watching it in the movie theatre and really liking it... which I didn't expect because I was never a big fan of anime.. I should probably watch it again as an adult. Also, I feel like the movie mirrors what childhood is... as kids we are left many times without answers to stuff... we have to go along for the ride, and we live through stuff, but we don't always know what is happening or why
hello, i know this isn't a Studio Ghibli movie But. My favourite Animated movie is "Your name or Kimi no na wa " . Please please ,try and watch it whenever you can. The characters are wonderful , the animation is pure art and the plot ties itself up so good. Yes , it is a romance but all in all is perfection for me and I want even more people to watch it . Please let Daniel or Merphy watch it . It's just an amazing experience.
For me it is a tie in the top with Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. The Grave of the Fireflies, is beautiful but soul destroying, The Wind Rise is a masterpiece (that Oscar for Frozen was a crime), but I can't ignore the incredible problematic context and real life story of the movie.
I adore this. Thanks so much for doing these reviews! The Ghibli movies are some of my favorite- And on that note, I just want to thank you man! It's because of you that my passion for reading has dramatically increased, and I've been reading an average of three books a month..! Not trying to pressure myself into that pattern, but it's just how it's ended up so far. You and Merphy both have given me so much content to think on, laugh about, and enjoy! Whenever I tune in to your two's videos, I feel like i'm laughing with friends, and learning about things I wouldn't have even considered. You do a great work. You are appreciated!
I'm not trying to be too hard on you or anything here, I think it's a very reasonable western viewpoint to have, but I don't really like you describing the world as absurdist or random. It's all heavily based on existing Japanese myth/folklore. I expect that's the pattern you started to recognize by the end of the movie. It's also part of why they're able to cram so much personality into the spirits in such a short time, they have centuries of stories to draw upon for these characters. I think the animated Hercules is a good comparison, at least in how cultures we're used to don't seem absurd/random. It's about a dude followed by 2 weirdly shaped demons that randomly turn into snakes, who learns how to be a hero from a half goat man, and then fights some beast that just grows more heads every time you chop one. That's pretty damn random, but it seems normal enough to us because that's the kind of story we're use to hearing. Similarly, I doubt many Japanese people saw* Spirited Away and thought any of the spirits were random, because they're used to seeing spirits of all kinds in their media. None of that to say this was a bad review, just that part didn't sit with me quite right. Also the lighting rocks and I dig when you and Merph collab
its always gonna be weird when people dont understand the culture and just chalk it up to bad writing or strange world building knowing even just a bit of japanese folklore goes a long way into understanding miyazaki
The two, Mononoke and Spirited Away definitely have completely different stories. I always liked Princess Mononoke better, but I think this is because of how much it is in nature and the themes addressed. I also found Chihiro to be annoying. Which I think is kind of the point but i did like Haku and the old man in the coal room
@@xxxfairycorpsexxx7592 ooooh that really is a good one -- i love the time frame and the MC is actually really engaging! IDK how that's at the bottom, definitely ones I would rank below that. Like Ponyo lol
Merphy, I’m curious what plot elements you noticed that got dropped? I grew up watching this movie and I’ve seen it easily over 15 times so I think I’m blind to the issues it has because I already know what’s going to happen and I love it so much. But I’m interested to hear what you noticed plot-wise that didn’t follow through?
Usually I would be like Merphy, expecting to see the plot resolve perfectly like we are used to in Western culture. But at the moment night falls on the spirit world for the first time, (I didn't know anything about the plot when i first watched it 2 weeks ago), I was 100% invested in Chihiro, and I understood how it was gonna be this "Alice in Wonderland" type of plot where anything can happen and not make any sense. But it would not matter. Because it's like a dream. She entered a world she does not belong to, with different rules and laws (that do not need to be explained to her or us). I don't really like to qualify the movie as an "experience" because to me that term is a way of saying "It doesn't make sense, but it's nice to watch so you should bare with it". I know it cannot be the same for everyone, because we are touched by different things, but I cannot stress enough how I felt for Chihiro. The movie did a perfect job to create this world that isn't hostile but not friendly either, and I clicked so much with the girl I was super invested in the story. Every single thing she did I wondered if I'd done the same in her stand. Every character she interacts and bonds with was a relief in this strange world. This isn't nostalgia speaking, because I've watched it as an adult, but man is this movie amazing... (On a side note, I did totally feel like Merphy about Howl's Moving Castle. I felt this world was way different that Spirited Away's and it owned me more explanations and resolving plot holes. Although it bears some resemblance with Spirited Away (the fact that Sophie is forced in a world she does not belong to), Howl's Moving Castle felt like a more fleshed out universe that somehow did not meet my expectations in terms of plot and opened doors).
You should watch other Ghibli works or more anime like Shinsekai Yori, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Your Name, Made in Abyss, Paprika, etc that are short and go with the themes of fantasy and sci-fi this channel provides. Honestly can’t wait for your reaction to Howl’s Moving Castle and would highly recommend Made in Abyss.
Expecting for an explanation for every single point in the plot is the most westerner thing to do. Usually Eastern media lets their audience to think more. There are many spiritual Japanese elements in the movie that even now people are still finding them.
Grave of the Fireflies is a great Ghibli movie. Not many other movies (animated or not) have affected me as emotionally as that one did. I also had to watch it during a university class and I skipped the rest of my classes that day because I was a tad emotionally drained
Ghibli is just so good ! Also if anyone is looking for gorgeous animation with more grown up themes, Satoshi Kon is your man - I especially love Paprika and Tokyo Godfathers.
Spirited Away was my first studio Ghibli film. I loved it from day one, I was an 17 when I watched it and I was in awe. 18 years later it's still one of my favorites.
I think Miyazaki's triumph with Spirited Away is exactly the sensation you described: the feeling of connection with this universe you don't understand. Truth is, Japanese people understand that universe far more than us Westeners. I found that out by watching this movie with a Japanese person and she was kind enough to give me all sorts of details that I would have never missed. It's both the understanding of Japanese Kamis and general mythology, but also understanding the rules and etiquettes of fancy Onsen (those hot spring spas) that really gives the movie some grounding. [ minor spoilers ahead, super minor ] Even the movie's original title and how it relates to the plot is a solid woooosh to Western audiences: "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" would be better translated as "Sen and Chihiro's mysterious journey". Chihiro's name has two kanji and in the middle the story Yubaba removes the second, in Japanese many times this changes the sound and meaning of the name. So the movie is sorta "A journey of you and you" - and those two version of you are different. It's beautiful! But still, I gotta take my hat of to Miyazaki. Even before I knew all the stuff I know now, I felt the same jolt of excitement you're describing. I learned to love this world way before I learned its rules. It's charming! Somehow the gorgeous animation and charismatic characters teaches us more than the actual plot - which, I agree with Merphy, it's kinda broken but doesn't matter. Thanks for the amazing video, Daniel. I'm super happy to see you spending more time with Ghibli! Please keep 'em coming =) You actually inspired me! I've been rewatching some Ghibli myself and writing some scrips on it. Cheers!
I’m curious what Merphy means by plot treads that were dropped? I’ve seen the movie and i can’t think of any that were? 🤔 Well I guess I’m watching it again!
She may just be referring to numerous odd creatures or incidents that remain unexplained at the end of the movie. It’s what Tim from Hello Future Me calls a soft world, mostly unexplained despite the oddities. Some explanations might be found in Japanese culture and Shinto beliefs, but most of the oddities remain as unexplained as Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. And there are several hints that it’s not just a dream, since relics of the adventure remain at the end of the film.
I just watched it again myself and there are none that I can tell. Merphy seems to be one of the classic examples of somebody who tries so hard to find flaws and hyper-analyze things that she ends up missing the very obvious along the way.
I went into the comments searching for an answer to the same question you asked. I can't really take her criticism seriously when I can't see where she's coming from, and her not giving any examples is definitely not helping her case.
possibly the relationship between the boss witch and her sister? i suppose it’s never fully addressed or resolved within the story. i don’t really know lmao, i havent watched the movie in several months
Mayazaki said that he felt like the movie ended when Chiro rode the train by herself. He knew that the story had to end with freeing the parents though, but it is still a detail that I think should be noted.
Spirited away has been my favorite movie of all time since i saw it back in 2001 when it was first released in theaters. The animation is gorgeous, the world is building is stunning and I love the characters so so much. I feel like, despite all of the love and accolades this movie gets, I feel like it deserves more credit for the work of art that it truly is. I’m not gonna lie, it makes me REALLY happy that you love this movie too. Ugh. Just the best.
Every time I watch this movie a notice a new detail and that is rare nowadays. Great insight from both of you. I always felt this movie was about standing by what you want and believe. We are all afraid, but to do nothing because of that fear is worse than any fear.
On "dropped threads," I think it's intentional. Absurdly, Spirited Away is a character-piece about life, and life often doesn't have neat resolutions... sometimes it just has interesting moments along the journey.
Corey C Yeah same! I also think that because we’re seeing the world through a child’s eyes, it’s not a place we’re MEANT to understand. I’m p sure children don’t tend to question the world they just accept it for what it is, but as you become older you start to wonder what your place in it is etc. Maybe the film is encouraging us to more generally view the world like a child would and stop getting caught up in the wacky finer details. It’s what makes the bathhouse universe so enchanting.
hollyriver22171 that's a good way to put it yeah! I think you're supposed to be Spirited Away yourself, a part of a confusing but beautiful journey. And you're right... kids don't understand their journeys, they just endure and adapt.
Hey Daniel. Love your channel. I too am consistently enjoying your videos and the informal, well-researched style into all things Popular Culture (Fantasy/Sci-fi). I thought your review was interesting. I agree with you on Chihiro’s journey and how she goes from being a frightened child who’s lost her parents, introduced to this unknown world, and goes on this journey. That being said, and I’m probably going to be the only jerk who says this, I cannot for the life of me love let alone appreciate Spirited Away (even rewatching it now as an adult). I’ve tried to appreciate it, but I'm honestly finding it a struggle. Maybe that’s due to the fact that, yes, the parents turning into pigs traumatized me as a kid-I don’t think I’ll get over that, and maybe it makes me prejudiced. I just have a hard time finding sympathy for Chihiro, even in the beginning. And aside from Lin, the people in the bathhouse were greedy and disgusting, even the mud spirit. And I get that that’s a theme in the film, greed (with the bathhouse, spirits, humans/parents) but even the animation was a little…I don’t know, cherubic, in your face, chubby and out there. Anyway, at least that’s my impression of it but I’m open to opinions. Don’t know if anyone else felt this way but I’m open to hearing thoughts on this.
One of my best friends and I watched Spirited Away together just 2 days ago. It was amazing. And somehow I feel like it was more of a bonding experience with my friend than most other movies we've watched together.
The average quality of a Ghibli movie is just insane. If you compare it to something like Disney and Pixar think both of those put out lot of junk movies and they are always cashing in on popular movie by making part 2 part 3 ... Every single Ghibli movie feels like a passion project by a team of superstar artists. So im more impressed by how consistently brilliant the Ghibli movies are then any single movie.
Literature Devil does a fascinating video about the differences between eastern and western storytelling, would absolutely recommend. It can add some depth to approaching consuming japanese media.
this is the very first stuido ghibli movie i ever seen i have it on vhs tape still in its case and it is my fav one though i love all of the stuido ghibli movies
The lightning on you is great - thumbs up. Love it. I feel like the book shelf on the right (our right, your left) could use more light, though. It‘s reaaally dark; like the sketchy alley you definitely do NOT want to head down when it‘s two hours after midnight and you are tired af but it‘s the fastest way home.
I didn't see this film till I was in my 20s. Its in my top 3 favorite films ever. Beatuful art and story. Emotional and inspirational. It has everything I want in a film.
Spirited Away is my all time favorite movie period. It was my first Studio Ghibli movie I saw as a child and introduced me to Miyazaki and Ghibli. I personally like how certain plot points aren't neatly tied up at the end. I feel like there needs to be a sense of chaos in the spirit world and we aren't meant to understand it all.
Hi Daniel! Can you make a The stormlight archive recap before the realise of Rhythm of war? I read the books a few months ago and I don't have the time to reread them before the new book. I haven't forgotten everything, but a fresh up would be cool.
A lot of Ghibli movies are like that, where characters are put into a scenario and we just follow them as they try to adjust to it. So most of the run time I’m like 😐 or 🙂, and then I get to the end and I’m like 😭😭😭. Even something like My Neighbor Totoro, which is as slice-of-life as they come, will wriggle its way into my heart when I’m not looking, and the whole plot is just kids exploring their new neighborhood. (Also, make sure you’re in a good headspace before you watch Grave of the Fireflies because that’s easily the darkest Ghibli movie I’ve seen.)
