Studio Ghibli: A Pleasant Surprise

For those of you who, like me, hated the look of Japanese animation- with it's harsh lines and non-Disneyesque look- prepare to have the spell of Studio Ghibli's magic cast upon you. Never in my life have I been more pleasantly surprised, overwhelmed or happy discovering a new group of films.

With some of strangest worlds, characters and plots that have been shown in a film, especially an animation, Studio Ghibli has a host of wonderful films that any person of any age will enjoy.

Do not be put off on your first outing at watching one of these films, for they are really weird to newbees. But like many great weird things, they are also compelling, and totally bewitch throughout the movie. After the rollercoaster ride of whichever film you choose to watch first, you are sat there bewildered for a few moments, thinking to your self how weird that film was. After that initial shock, you want to watch the film again.

The studios best and most acclaimed film is Spirited Away, winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2003. Created by Hayao Miyazaki, all the films possess a charming quality, and so much warmth, that any viewer is left utterly spellbound.

Please, give these films a try, whether you are already an Japanese anime fan or not, at least one of these films will be firm favourites of yours when given the chance. I have only seen My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and the outstanding Howl's Moving Castle, and I thoroughly enjoyed them all. A word of warning, once you watch one of the films, you will feel compelled to watch every single one of them.

Give them a try, and I assure you that you will fall in love with the characters, the films and the studio just like everyone else before you.