Studio Ghibli’s films exist across a wide spectrum of stories and genres, and much has been said about the characters and the storytelling – something I myself have been heavily involved with for the past ten years. But there’s one thing that connects Studio Ghibli films that I’ve felt for a long time is a […]
The Landscapes of Studio Ghibli – Moon Rabbit Podcast #003
The personal mythology behind My Neighbor Totoro
When I tell someone that my main area of film research is Studio Ghibli films, there is a fifty percent chance that the next question I get will be: “So did you hear about the theory that Totoro is actually a vicious death god?” Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. I don’t blame anyone who thinks that — the long-standing attempt at simplifying […]
The secret link between Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro
You see, Grave of the Fireflies is already routinely called “the greatest anti-war film of all time” and “the saddest film of all time” (both of which I agree with). But there’s an extra layer to this Studio Ghibli classic if you know the context in which it was made. And because of how these […]
Studio Ghibli Secrets – the story patterns hiding in plain sight in Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpieces [free guide!]
Most people who write about Studio Ghibli films interpret them through a Western lens. But if you want to fully understand the stories Hayao Miyazaki tells, you have to take into account the unique context of his upbringing, his connection to Japanese culture and mythology, and how he reacts to the society around him. My new free guide gives pointers for all major Studio Ghibli films to help you go deeper in the works this master craftsman of the moving image.
Most people who write about Studio Ghibli films interpret them through a Western lens. But if you want to fully understand the stories Hayao Miyazaki tells, you have to take into account the unique context of his upbringing, his connection to Japanese culture and mythology, and how he reacts to the society around him. My new free guide gives pointers for all major Studio Ghibli films to help you go deeper in the works this master craftsman of the moving image.