Mirza Aaqib Beg
As the popularity of anime has grown in the West, streaming platforms have tried their best to acquire exclusive licenses to shows and films to bring more viewers. HBO Max has taken a very different strategy in this regard, as they are primarily focused on offering subscribers popular anime films instead of focusing on building a catalog of mainstream shows like other platforms. Therefore, fans who wish to immerse themselves in the magical world of animated movies should look no further.
18. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, ‘Castle in the Sky’ is a fantasy drama that focuses on two young orphans, Sheeta and Pazu. Sheeta’s necklace and the secret it carries bring the two kids together, who then set off on a thrilling adventure to find Laputa, a mythical castle on a flying island. However, they aren’t alone in the endeavor as Muska, a government agent, and air pirates, led by Dola, are after them and want what’s on Laputa. With the theme of man’s relationship with nature at its core, ‘Castle in the Sky’ is considered one of the best adventure films ever, adding another star on the shoulders of Studio Ghibli. You can watch the film here.
17. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
A Studio Ghibli venture, ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and is based on the 1952 children’s novel ‘The Borrowers’ by Mary Norton. It follows Arrietty, a Borrower, one of the many tiny human-like beings who stay out of sight of humans. While stealing stuff from the house her family lives under, she befriends a boy named Shawn, who eventually joins her in her quest to rescue her mother, who is kidnapped. In the meantime, their friendship slowly blossoms into an unlikely romance. Winner of many awards, including at the 34th Japan Academy Prize and the 10th Tokyo Anime Awards, ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ is a beautiful rendition of the classic story that carries the latter’s soul. You can stream it here.
16. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
‘The Boy and the Heron’ is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, home of many evergreen anime films, including ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984), ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988), ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988), ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997), and ‘Spirited Away’ (2001) and ‘Ponyo’ (2008).
‘The Boy and the Heron’ revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Mahito who loses his mother in a fire. After moving in with his father and stepmother (his mother’s sister) to a countryside home, he encounters a speaking heron who informs him that his mother is alive. The bird then brings him to an abandoned tower that serves as a gateway to another world. In this world, Mahito meets its maker, a wizard who wants him to take custodianship of the world. Will Mahito take the responsibility? Moreover, is his mother really alive and somewhere in this inexplicable place? Winner of an Oscar and a BAFTA, the film is yet another addition to Studio Ghibli’s immortal anime collection. You can watch it here.
15. Princess Mononoke (1997)
A Studio Ghibli animation, ‘Princess Mononoke’ is directed by the company’s founder, the great Hayao Miyazaki. The film shows man and Nature at war with each other in the signature Ghibli style, weaving breathtaking visuals with an epic story set in an alternate Muromachi period (14th century to 16th century AD) of Japan. At its center are a cursed young warrior, Ashitaka, who is searching for the Great Forest Spirit to get rid of the curse, and a woman named San, aka Princess Mononoke, who is raised by wolves. How their destinies connect and how their connection brings an end to the war, if at all, is what we find out in this drama. You can watch it here.
14. Belle (2021)
This multiple-award-winning animation fantasy follows teenager Suzu Naito, who gives her passion for singing another chance after signing into the virtual world “U.” However, she soon finds herself looking for a user known as “The Dragon” who is unbeatable and is considered a hero among children. “The Dragon” is on the run from a vigilante group. But if he is a hero, why is he being chased? You can watch’ Belle’ here to join Suzu on her quest for the truth.
13. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki before he founded Studio Ghibli, ‘Kaze no Tani no Naushika’ or ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ is a post-apocalyptic fantasy drama. It follows sixteen-year-old princess Nausicaä (voiced by Sumi Shimamoto/ who hails from the Valley of the Wind. With the Earth’s resources almost depleted, people are harnessing the power of the enormous creatures known as ohmu. And it is up to Nausicaä to ensure that the humans and the ohmus co-exist in peace, otherwise it will be the end of both species. Meanwhile, she also has to find the secrets of the toxic jungle slowly spreading across the planet. Considered one of the best animated films of all time, ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Win’ is a must-watch. A redubbed version was made by Walt Disney Pictures in 2005, in which Alison Lohman voiced Nausicaä. You can watch the film here.
12. Spirited Away (2021)
Studio Ghibli’s ‘Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi’ or ‘Spirited Away’ is arguably the greatest anime movie ever made. The critically acclaimed film is a coming-of-age story that revolves around the recurring popular culture themes of courage, resilience, love, identity, and self-discovery. It follows 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino, who is quite stubborn and spoiled. One day, while going to a new house with her parents, she comes across an abandoned amusement park.
Intrigued by what they may find there, the family decides to explore the premises. But soon, Chihiro realizes that there is more to the park than it first appears. Soon, ghostly apparitions and other supernatural phenomena begin to haunt her. As her parents are somehow turned into pigs, she finally concludes that she has somehow crossed over to the spirit world. This marks the beginning of a life-changing journey for Chihiro that completely transforms her into a new person. You can watch the anime here.
11. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl is an infamous magician who lives in a moving castle. According to some rumors, he is a womanizer and possesses magical powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Sophie is a young girl who is familiar with these stories. She is the daughter of a hatter and lives a very ordinary life. However, he happens to cross paths with Howl when she ends up in a disturbing situation. Although he rescues her, Howl’s enemy, Witch of the Waste, does not like it one bit. In order to take out her frustration, she turns Sophie into an old woman. The curse turns Sophie’s life around, and she embarks on a quest to return to normal. You can watch the film here.
10. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Studio Ghibli’s ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ or ‘Tonari no Totoro’ is a supernatural adventure film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. When Tatsuo Kusakabe learns that his wife is hospitalized due to a long-term illness, he feels that it would be the right decision to relocate to the countryside with his daughters, Satsuki and Mei. One day, Mei accidentally encounters a bunny-like creature, and while chasing, it ends up in the forest. There, she meets a giant named Totoro and manages to befriend him.
In the following days, Satsuki becomes friends with Totoro as well, and it marks the beginning of a dramatic turn in the sisters’ lives as they suddenly start going on magical adventures, all the while becoming acquainted with the fantastical creatures of the woods. The film is accessible for streaming here.
9. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
To become a full-fledged witch, the witches in training are expected to live on their own in a distant town. Kiki, a 13-year-old, goes to the coastal town of Koriko for the same purpose. She first finds a roof over her head when she meets Osono, who runs a small bakery. Kiki starts doing deliveries for her only to eventually start her own courier service with a broomstick that gives her enough money to live life on her own terms. However, her journey is filled with challenges, and she slowly learns the true meaning of responsibility thanks to her experience. You can watch the film here.
8. Ponyo (2008)
When a goldfish manages to sneak away from home, she eventually ends up on the shore, where she is rescued by a five-year-old boy named Sousuke. Interestingly, she heals one of his wounds, following which the two become friends. Sosuke then named her Pony,o not knowing that she has a father and that her real name is Brunhilde. When she is captured later, she runs back to the surface again, determined to become a human. However, her decision leads to a host of consequences that she had not intended. You can watch the film here.
7. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
Inspired by the 10th-century Japanese folk tale of the same title, ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya’ is a fantasy anime. The Isao Takahata directorial follows Okina, a woodcutter who accidentally comes across an abandoned baby inside a glowing shoot. He not only rescues her but decides to raise her as his daughter with the help of his wife. The baby soon grows up to become a friendly and warm girl named Kaguya. One ordinary day, Okina surprisingly discovers a considerable fortune of gold and treasure that turns his life around. He uses his newfound wealth to give Kaguya the life of a princess, not knowing that her life purpose will soon reveal itself. You can watch the film here.
6. The Wind Rises (2013)
Jirou Horikoshi wants to be a pilot, but because of his nearsightedness, his dreams are beyond his grasp. But he still attends the Tokyo Imperial University to study aeronautical engineering with the hope of following in the footsteps of his hero, Italian aircraft pioneer Giovanni Battista Caproni, and designing a plane. However, his arrival in Tokyo is followed by a historical tragedy that marks the beginning of a horrible period in Japan constantly plagued with conflicts. As the odds stack against his dream, Jirou becomes more determined, which leads him to design the infamous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft. The film follows him as he runs after his goals and braves countless challenges in his path. You can watch the film here.
5. Porco Rosso (1992)
In the Adriatic Sea, ships are terrorized by sky pirates who are afraid of no one. The only person brave enough to confront them is the former World War I flying ace, Porco Rosso, who mysteriously turned in a pig during the war. As he prepares to go head-to-head against an American ace from the pirate crew, Porco takes the help of a mechanic named Fio Piccolo and his old friend,d Madame Gina. You can watch the anime here.
4. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Studio Ghibli’s ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ or ‘Coquelicot-zaka kara’ is a romantic drama film written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. The Gorou Miyazaki directorial follows Umi Matsuzaki, a high schooler who helps his parents manage the seaside boarding house named Coquelicot Manor. Near her home, a well-known clubhouse loved by the locals is expected to be demolished in preparation for the upcoming Olympics. As people protested against it, Umi contributed by helping to spread awareness about the issue. There, she meets and befriends Shun Kazama. Since he is an orphan, the two start digging into his past and discovering things that shock them beyond belief. You can watch the film here.
3. Weathering with You (2019)
Hodaka Morishima is a runaway high schooler who finds a job at a small-time publisher after struggling to make ends meet in Tokyo. Shortly afterward, an orphan named Hina Amano crosses paths with him. Morishima rescues him from shady men and soon discovers that she possesses the power to call out the sun whenever she wants. The two set out to put her abilities to good use, not realizing that everything comes with a price. You can watch the anime here.
2. Only Yesterday (1991)
Taeko Okajima is an independent woman living in Tokyo who decides to visit her family during the harvest to help them out and to relax. On her way, she recalls all her childhood memories. When she eventually reaches the village, she is picked by Toshio, and the two end up befriending each other. As she lives the rural life, she experiences its stark contrast with urban life. Taeko also gets to experience the joys and challenges of farming. ‘Only Yesterday’ is the bittersweet story of an adult woman who confronts her past and makes peace with it. You can watch the film here.
1. When Marnie Was There (2014)
Studio Ghibli’s ‘When Marnie Was There’ or ‘Omoide no Marnie’ is a mystery drama film directed by Yonebayashi Hiromasa. The film focuses on Anna Sasaki, a young girl who is inflicted with frequent bouts of asthma attacks. Looking at her precarious condition, her doctor advises her to stay in the countryside if possible. Therefore, Anna visits her aunt and uncle in a small town. There, she crosses paths with a mysterious girl named Ma, Ernie, and they become close friends. As their bond grows more robust, the secrets of the Marsh House continue to puzzle. If you wish to learn how the story progresses, you can watch the film here.
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