Happy 85th Birthday, Hayao Miyazaki! The Legend’s 5 Greatest Movies
Hayao Miyazaki recently turned 85 years old. The anime legend and two-time Oscar winner has created some of the most beloved animated movies of all time, and his work is renowned all over the world. Even people who aren’t normally anime fans can appreciate his work and get drawn into his highly creative worlds and memorable characters. To celebrate his 85th birthday, let’s look at his five best movies.
1. “Princess Mononoke”
“Princess Mononoke” is Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece. Sure, it contains all the Miyazaki staples, like gorgeous animation and appealing characters, but it also features a complex story that explores all sides of the conflict involved. The film explores the conflict between nature and technology, and neither side is portrayed as all good or all evil.
The story is complex, and you might have difficulty following it the first time you watch the movie, but since the movie is so good, you won’t mind watching it again. As you do, the plot will make more sense. The movie also isn’t afraid to have a bittersweet ending where the characters must pick up the pieces after a terrible tragedy. One could gush about this movie for hours.
2. “Howl’s Moving Castle”
It might make a lot of changes to the book it’s based on, but so what? “Howl’s Moving Castle” still captures the spirit of the book, maintaining its highly appealing characters and magical atmosphere. From the scene where Howl takes Sophie walking on air (literally), you know you’re in for a treat. The English dubbing is also amazing, featuring the voices of Christian Bale as Howl and Billy Crystal as Calcifer, a delightful fire spirit.
This movie also features one of the best love stories in any Miyazaki film. Howl is brash, reckless, and careless, but then, when he grows to care for Sophie, he suddenly has something to live for beyond running away from everything. Meanwhile, Sophie is fully aware of Howl’s flaws, but she also sees depth in him that he doesn’t see in himself. They each grow through their love for each other.
3. “Spirited Away”
This movie won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and many would consider it Hayao Miyazaki’s best work. It’s an amazing movie, but not his best film ever. It has some storytelling flaws, but even with those flaws, it transports us to a highly creative world of shadowy spirits, twin witches, and a giant baby.
“Spirited Away” also sends an ordinary young girl on a journey of growth and discovery without getting preachy. Chihiro starts out whining, but ends up risking everything to save a dear friend. She doesn’t gain any supernatural powers or fighting skills, but instead, she triumphs through her heart and her determination. She lets us know that anyone can be a hero, even an ordinary ten-year-old.
4. “Castle in the Sky”
This is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s more underrated movies, but it definitely deserves to be ranked with the best of them. It presents a world where buildings fly on giant propellers, loveable sky pirates pillage flying machines, and crystals protect people from falling out of the sky. The English dub also features the voice of Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, as the villain. He seems to have a thing for voicing animated villains.
This movie blends a steampunk aesthetic with mystical elements, making a convincing sci-fantasy universe. Of course, since this is a Hayao Miyazaki movie, expect lots of flight scenes that capture the wonder of flight. His films make you feel like a small child who gazes at the sky and imagines what it would be like to fly.
5. “Kiki’s Delivery Service”
Compared to many of Hayao Miyazaki’s other films, this movie has a very simple storyline, but you shouldn’t let that deter you from watching it. In fact, the simplicity works in this movie’s favor. Even though the main character is a witch with a talking cat, the movie still feels grounded in reality, as if you’re peeking into a young girl’s day-to-day life.
The movie presents a relaxing atmosphere, intercut with some breathtaking flying scenes. It’s the perfect movie to just chill out to. There are no complex schemes, no villains to defeat, and no epic quests. There’s just a witch girl trying to find her place in the world of adulthood, while her cat provides some of the best amusement in any Hayao Miyazaki film.
Miyazaki’s Legacy Will Endure
Hayao Miyazaki may have retired from making movies, but his rich library of films will forever inspire future generations of artists and animators. His films invite people to dream themselves into worlds where there is hope for humanity and the environment. As real life looks bleaker and bleaker, his films inspire audiences to keep trying, for there can be a better world out there, inhabited by strange creatures and brought to life by gorgeous artwork.
