My Top Three Ghibli Movies You Must Watch

Credit to @instaghibli on Twitter for the images

Who has never watch at least one masterpiece from Studio Ghibli? Some people grew up with the colorful memories and 'drowned' with the fantasy of Ghibli movies. For me sadly, my first ever Ghibli's movie experience was a little bit late, it was when I was in eleventh grade. However, it left a special place in my heart ever since. There is something magical and nostalgic with Ghibli's animation that warms my heart, since most of the movies bring up the relationship of sibling, friends, and in general with human. It also remind me to every animation/cartoon that I watched when I was a kid.  Even though I did not grow up with Ghibli movies, I still grew up with Japanese cartoons or animation in my heart. Until this present time, I watched several of Ghibli movies, from the most popular ones to under-rated ones. And I'd love to share this for you guys who haven't watch any of Ghibli Studio's movies or just simply need a recommendation to watch in quarantine.

I will start with that fist ever Ghibli movie I watched. It was Grave of Fireflies (1988), directed by Isao Takahata. It is a heartbreaking story of Japanese brother and sister, trying to survive through the period of World War I. It depicts the loving relationship between Seita and his younger sister, Setsuka that left me with a big cry in the end especially since I also have big brother. What I got from this movie is depiction of the crisis of humanity created by war, especially the effect it caused to children. 

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) by Goro Mizayaki still revolves around the theme of world war (II in this case). This one is more focus to the relationship between Umi and Shun Kazama who met through the school's club thing. Not only that, the movie also portrays the transition of Japan into the new brighter era after the World War II. And don't worry, the movie itself is not as bleak and sorrowful like Grave of Fireflies, with a little romance between Umi and Shun.

Country roads, take me home~ The next favorite on my list is The Whisper of the Heart (1995) by Yoshifumi Kondo. Who doesn't love a cute little romance? This has the cutest romance moment ever! The dialogue, the characters are just lovely and give you a warm hug around the heart and soul. There is this scene on the rooftop between thos two that completely melted my fragile heart with such simple and sincere words. It really reflects the innocence soul of the characters and it definitely awaken my child-like part of myself. This has a little but of fantasy going on but it doesn't dominate the entire movie, such as Spirited Away I'd say. 

Well I guest those are my top 3 of Ghibli's movies! What I would like to say about Ghibli's movies is no matter how old you are, it still relevant and timeless. It fuels your nostalgic hunger and old-souls out there.I also watched Spirited Away, Only Yesterday, Ocean Waves, When Marni was There, The Wind Rises. Those are still awesome, mesmerizing movies, and worth to watch. 

Keyword: The best of ghibli movies, favorite movies, ghibli studio

References

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798188/