Anime is bigger than ever. With each passing year, the industry continues to make a huge impact not only on television but also in movie theaters. From heartwarming tales of love and friendship to epic clashes between good vs evil, Studio Ghibli has solidified its status as a Japanese Animation Powerhouse.
With the likes of Your Name, Suzume, Spirited Away, and many more popular titles earning millions of dollars from their international theatrical releases, Japanese Animation is taking the world by storm.
Despite being recognized as the highest-grossing anime movie of all time, many titles fail to receive a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes focuses less on the quality of a movie itself and puts importance on fans critics’ scores from the community. Interestingly, there are only four anime movies with a 100% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and three of them are the creations of Studio Ghibli.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is a heart-rending, moving masterpiece from Isao Takahata and a triumph for animation. The movie explores the tragedies of war and narrates a simple story of survival, where a boy and his sister must find shelter and food while evading firebombs.
The story of the siblings avoids any over-the-top drama and captures the essence of real-life struggles, which leaves several viewers emotionally scared for life. The movie is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Nosaka Akiyuki, who lost her sister to starvation during the time of the firebombs in Japan and was left with overwhelming guilt.
With no surprise, Grave of the Fireflies remained Studio Ghibli’s most renowned work for years, even after its release. Undoubtedly, it’s a brilliant masterpiece, fully deserving of a place among the best anime movies ever made.
Only Yesterday (1991)
Only Yesterday follows the story of an ordinary 27-year-old working woman named Taeko who has lived her entire life in Tokyo and suddenly decides to spend a few days in the countryside.
The movie explores childhood memories and how they gradually diminish, leaving a lasting impact on us in adulthood. In short, it follows two interspersing halves of a young woman’s life: her 20s and her tweens. Only Yesterday is ultimately very relatable and gets deeper the more you watch, making it a standout entry in Studio Ghibli’s collection.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Apart from the like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke often take the spotlight, the Tale of Princess Kaguya is another of Studio Ghibli’s co-founder Isao Takahata’s greatest hits, which is one of the most recognized titles in the community. Interestingly, Princess Kaguya is based on the Japanese oldest folklore, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
Takahata transforms the narrative into a universal humanistic story by illustrating Princess Kaguya as a realistic girl, captivating several viewers worldwide. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya tells the story of its titular character, who was found by a bamboo cutter who, believing her to be a divine presence, takes her home to raise with his wife.
The film’s themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of one’s dreams resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Takahata narrates a cautionary tale of materialism, how wealth drains a person’s humanity and rips them away from the root of human experience.
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is a perfect mixture of beautiful animation, music, and splendid narrative. It also covers the various restraints women find themselves in every facet of life, leaving a long-lasting impression on the audience.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is available to watch on Netflix
