What else can be said about Studio Ghibli? Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, the anime studio hit the ground running with the breathtaking Castle in the Sky and the devastating Grave of the Fireflies, although 1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tends to also be considered a Ghibli movie despite predating the company's formation.
Putting aside the disappointing Tales from Earthsea, Studio Ghibli's filmography consists of nearly nothing but stunning works of art that nearly all rank among the best movies of their respective years. The studio would not gain international recognition until 2001's Spirited Away, a creative and thought-provoking masterpiece that demonstrated Hayao Miyazaki's impeccable talent for blending the mystical with the whimsical.
Looking to explore some of Studio Ghibli's earlier works? Then, let's take a lot at the studio's '90s output!
7 My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999)
My Neighbors the Yamadas is simultaneously the weirdest and most mundane film on this list. On the one hand, the manga artstyle is quite a departure for Studio Ghibli, while the focus on the everyday lives of a relatively average family lacks much of the grandiosity often associated with the company's works. Conversely, My Neighbors the Yamadas is a straightforward slice of life film consisting of short sketches chronicling the Yamada's family's comedic but relatable hijinks.
The humor generally hits the spot and the characters are quite likable, even if the storylines are unlikely to surprise anyone in 2019. Here is the thing, My Neighbors the Yamadas suffers due to just how popular slice of life anime have grown over the years. Consequently, 1999's movie might feel a touch tired. Nevertheless, even Ghibli's worst '90s film is worth watching.
6 Ocean Waves (1993)
A made-for-TV film that served as a way for Studio Ghibli's fledgling staff members to get some experience, Ocean Waves is probably the least known entry on this list, if not the studio's entire filmography. A romance movie, Ocean Waves takes place in Kōchi and centers around a love triangle between three high school students: Taku, Yutaka, and Rikako. The former two are close friends and both happen to develop a crush on the latter, a somewhat unapproachable girl who recently transferred from Tokyo to Kōchi following her parents' separation.
Despite not being made for theatres, Ocean Waves still retains that trademark Studio Ghibli polish and finesse, even if the artstyle is somewhat lacking compared to the company's other projects. Instead of aiming for likability, the characters are mainly depicted as realistic teenagers, especially when it comes to the confused Rikako.
5 Pom Poko (1994)
The '90s produced its fair share of message movies centering around the environment, with even Studio Ghibli doing its part. Based on Japanese folklore, Pom Poko is all about Japanese raccoon dogs, otherwise known as tanuki, who have the ability to transform. While capable of great feats, tanuki are too easy-going to threaten humanity and mostly stick to themselves. Set during the 1960s, Pom Poko follows the tanuki as they attempt to save their homes from deforestation.
While there is an environmental message, Pom Poko also deals with the steady deterioration of mysticism, as supernatural creatures like the tanuki begin to realize that they have no place in the present-day human world. Despite being comedic in nature, Pom Poko is quite depressing and does not throw in a happy ending just for the sake of the audience.
4 Porco Rosso (1992)
Hayao Miyazaki's first appearance on this list, Porco Rosso is an often-overlooked entry in the esteemed director's filmography. Published in 1992, Porco Rosso contains many Miyazaki staples, including a cursed protagonist, a blend of reality and fantasy, and a ton of heart. Compared to most of the director's other projects, Porco Rosso mostly takes place within a universe akin to the real world.
The story follows Porco Rosso, a veteran WWI pilot turned bounty hunter who was transformed into a pig. The movie largely revolved around Porco's relationship with his friend Gina and his rivalry with a hotheaded American pilot called Curtis. Miyazaki handles the dogfights beautifully, but the film shines the brightest when focusing on the characters.
3 Whisper Of The Heart (1995)
Even though Studio Ghibli is no stranger to epic tales of warring factions or ideologies, some of the company's greatest projects are a bit more minimalistic in nature. Take, for example, Whisper of the Heart, an endearing coming of age drama about two teenagers finding the resolve to commit to their dreams.
The majority of the story revolves around the 14-year-old Shizuku trying to complete a story before her friend, Seiji, returns from a two-month stay in Italy. This marks the first step in Shizuku's life as a writer, as she overcomes her own personal struggles to complete the project. Whisper of the Heart might sound a little short on story, but this film is all about the characters and their development.
2 Only Yesterday (1991)
Released in 1991 in Japan but not made available until 2016 in the United States, Only Yesterday is a masterclass of tone, pacing, and character development. 27 years old and focused solely on her work, Taeko Okajima takes a trip away from Tokyo to visit an extended family member in Yamagata, a journey that conjures up many memories of her childhood.
In some ways, Only Yesterday is a coming of age story that just happens to feature an adult protagonist, as Taeko uses this period to truly examine her life. For anyone who has ever felt unsatisfied with their current situation in life, Only Yesterday is likely to hit hard.
1 Princess Mononoke (1997)
After Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke is Studio Ghibli's most famous movie. Some would also argue that it is the studio's best film and, by extension, Hayao Miyazaki's. Although this article does not seek to answer such a challenging question, Princess Mononoke earns its place as Studio Ghibli's greatest '90s movie. This decision was not made lightly.
Once again tackling themes dealing with nature and human evolution, Princess Mononoke sees Ashitaka, the last prince of a tribe, venturing West in search of a cure for a curse. Similar to Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke avoids making technological growth seem like an evil movement, as the central struggle is about humanity and nature's effort to find a balance.