Legendary Japanese animator, director, producer, screenwriter, author and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki celebrated his 82nd birthday on January 5. An icon who has been successfully creating an unbeatable legacy through his storytelling. We look back at some of the masterpieces that he has gifted the world while we wait for his upcoming project How Do You Live?

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988)

A tale of two sisters and the friendly forest spirit that is heartwarming and magical. As Satsuki and Mei along with their father move in to the countryside to be near their sick mother, they soon discover benevolent spirits living with them. The character of Totoro is a loving giant that helps the two sisters overcome their difficulties in this simple yet mesmerising cult classic.

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988)

In the same year as the wholesome Totoro was introduced, Studio Ghibli also gave us this tragically beautiful story. Adapted from Akiyuki Nosaka’s 1967 novel Grave Of The Fireflies, it represents the destruction of World War II through the devastated lives of the siblings Seita and Setsuke who are orphaned during the US fire-bombing of Kobe. This film proves the power that animation holds, to portray gripping stories that might be difficult through live action.

SPIRITED AWAY (2001)

Arguably the most famous Ghibli movie and also the one that got Miyazaki his Oscar is Spirited Away. An apotheosis of Miyazaki’s imagination and a visual treat, this film talks about our 10-year-old protagonist Chiro who crosses the river to an enchanted bathhouse. She has to fight her way out of it and to free her trapped parents, has go through a series of tasks. The story underlines the theme of greed and demolition of nature by humans.

KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE (1989)

Japanese author Eiko Kadano published her story about an apprentice witch who flies to a big city to find work. Inspired from this, Ghibli gave us Kiki and the infamous wide-eyed black kitten Jiji. The 13-year-old witch and her cat take on Koriko and go through challenges of being in a strange big town, all while she is still discovering her abilities. A gentle story with simple special effects yet so powerful in its display, underlining the themes of friendship and having faith in themselves.

CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986)

A Miyazaki follow-up of the Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, this story shows us the world of the levitating city of Laputa as beautiful as the director’s vision. The flying battles of steampunk airships and a group of sky pirates with characters like Muska and Red Baron, it is a wild ride around our heroine Sheeta and her overcoming the villains, delivering an incredible sense of achievement.

THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA (2013)

Studio Ghibli definitely has a distinct house style but over the years Isao Takahata has experimented with a different art style and The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of them. With brushwork and textures suggesting calligraphy and parchment scrolls, the film is a take on the Japanese classic The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. The story is about a princess from the moon who wishes to live a life on earth and challenges her suitors with various tasks. While visually different the movie still holds the essence and aesthetic of Studio Ghibli.

PONYO (2008)

A loose take on The Little Mermaid’s story, Ponyo is about a gold fish-like character who longs for a life on land and befriends a little boy whose friendship channels a way for both the worlds to meet. The demography for this film might be on the younger side but nonetheless it is yet another Studio Ghibli gem that represents the power of innocence and friendship and the value it holds, obviously with striking visuals.

PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997)

This film is set in the late Muromachi period of Japan (approximately 1336 to 1573 AD), heavily revolving around fantasy elements. The term ‘Mononoke’ itself means supernatural, shape-shifting beings that possess people and cause suffering. The story is about an Emishi prince Ashitaka and his involvement in a struggle between the gods of a forest and the humans who consume its resources. A critically acclaimed masterpiece that held its box-office record till Spirited Away came in. A glorious tale of an ancient time and fantasy woven together perfectly.

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (2004)

A film set in an imaginary kingdom where both magic and technology coexist and is at war with another kingdom. The protagonist of the story, Sophie, is an ordinary miller whose life transforms, literally, after she turns into an elderly woman, cursed by a witch, and encounters a wizard named Howl. The film has very strong anti-war themes and is Miyazaki’s favourite creation as he explained that he wanted to convey the message that life is worth living and it didn’t change over the years.

WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995)

Nothing like young romance under the light of Studio Ghibli. This film is about Shizuku, an aspiring writer who is struggling with her goals while she meets Seiji who is determined to become a master luthier. Shizuku and Seiji inspire each other to work on themselves in achieving their dreams while falling in love simultaneously. It’s a gratifying story with Ghibli’s simple yet remarkable motifs. A spin-off film, The Cat Returns, was released in 2002, which focused on the character of this film, Baron.