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Why is Spirited Away so extremely highly regarded?
- Thread starter Alter_Fridge
- Start date
Missingnomer
Member
Wolf Children is probably the best anime movie I have ever watched. It used the anime medium perfectly with the fantasy and art, but it is so damn relatable with the parent and child dynamic. The mother is one of the best written anime protagonists of all time. When it comes to Ghibli, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke hold the crowns. Ponyo is a close third. Honestly, I think Ponyo is just a better Spirited Away in a lot of ways. Music is great, though.
lachesis
Member
I still don't understand how Chihiro was able to find out her parents at the end.
But then again, that kind of somewhat loose, untold stuff is part of the charm of Miyazaki's work.
Wolf children.. I don't know. I sympathized with the characters, but it being literally a furry movie, kinda kept me at the bay.
But then again, that kind of somewhat loose, untold stuff is part of the charm of Miyazaki's work.
Wolf children.. I don't know. I sympathized with the characters, but it being literally a furry movie, kinda kept me at the bay.
Lord Panda
The Sea is Always Right
Out of the Ghibli catalogue it's still Mononoke Hime at the top for me. I just love everything about it.
Bitmap Frogs
Mr. Community
It's a good movie. I personally prefer Mononoke tho, and OFC the GOAT
Heimdall_Xtreme
Hermen Hulst Fanclub's #1 Member
Awwww.... what is that movie?
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Keihart
Member
Only Yesterday (Omoide Poro Poro)
i mean spirited away was made 11 years before wolf children. and when it was released it had some of the best visuals on offer with an amazing story to back it up with.
Heimdall_Xtreme
Hermen Hulst Fanclub's #1 Member
It's simple, Japan in its animation puts a lot of dedication, passion, affection and effort into its work.
I always consider Japanese and Asian people to be very authentic and intelligent, who give respect to people. I like the morals and the philosophy that they handle.
And excuse me for saying so, but what Western productions do will never be like the Japanese ones. They always leave the morals and reflections of life.
I always consider Japanese and Asian people to be very authentic and intelligent, who give respect to people. I like the morals and the philosophy that they handle.
And excuse me for saying so, but what Western productions do will never be like the Japanese ones. They always leave the morals and reflections of life.
BlackTron
Member
Mononoke was the first anime movie I ever saw -the only other anime I'd ever seen period was some Gundam and DBZ on Toonami. So I pretty much skipped right ahead to the final boss masterpiece at the way beginning and everything else I ever watched had these massive shoes to fill. I showed my best friend Mononoke and he was shocked by how good it was.
When Spirited Away came out, we saw it in the movie theater. To us a new release by this studio was the second coming. It wasn't a bad film or anything, but it wasn't really what we wanted/expected and we actually NEVER watched it again lol. Doesn't seem like I'm alone in here that Mononoke Hime is pretty much the best thing ever and quick to be referenced as a Spirited Away killer.
I suppose the context of PM just set up an expectation for the type of fans there were back then, despite all of SG's film's being quite varied and not sequels or even carrying themes to each other anyway. So having been the next one to release really makes everyone want to say "it's not PM" even though what movie is really.
When Spirited Away came out, we saw it in the movie theater. To us a new release by this studio was the second coming. It wasn't a bad film or anything, but it wasn't really what we wanted/expected and we actually NEVER watched it again lol. Doesn't seem like I'm alone in here that Mononoke Hime is pretty much the best thing ever and quick to be referenced as a Spirited Away killer.
I suppose the context of PM just set up an expectation for the type of fans there were back then, despite all of SG's film's being quite varied and not sequels or even carrying themes to each other anyway. So having been the next one to release really makes everyone want to say "it's not PM" even though what movie is really.
Amiga
Member
Future Boy Conan is the best IMOO.
Originally aired 1978, AFAIK It was not distributed in English until recently. Reason is Alexander Key, the author of the original story it was based on, rejected the adaptation and instructed his estate to keep blocking it.
This lost gem is now available on several streaming services and worth checking out.
Originally aired 1978, AFAIK It was not distributed in English until recently. Reason is Alexander Key, the author of the original story it was based on, rejected the adaptation and instructed his estate to keep blocking it.
This lost gem is now available on several streaming services and worth checking out.
Rran
Member
I like Spirited Away but I feel it has some major story/structure problems, namely in the second half. A lot of stuff just seems to happen without rhyme or reason, making the payoff at the end feel kind of underwhelming. You're supposed to just sort of roll with it, I guess.
That said, the movie does have some amazing sequences and an intoxicating atmosphere, and for some people, that's enough. It certainly evokes a specific mood and does its own thing.
In terms of ambitious animated Miyazaki epics, I think Princess Mononoke is a bit more successful than Spirited Away. It's got those stunning, spectacular sequences but its story and themes are more coherent.
However, for my money, the best Ghibli film is My Neighbor Totoro. Such a beautiful, simple, and joyous movie. I think it might hit harder for parents though, as I've seen a number of people be kind of stymied by its laid-back, rural approach. The kid characters in this film are right up there with the most believable and honest portrayals of children you'll ever see in a movie.
That said, the movie does have some amazing sequences and an intoxicating atmosphere, and for some people, that's enough. It certainly evokes a specific mood and does its own thing.
In terms of ambitious animated Miyazaki epics, I think Princess Mononoke is a bit more successful than Spirited Away. It's got those stunning, spectacular sequences but its story and themes are more coherent.
However, for my money, the best Ghibli film is My Neighbor Totoro. Such a beautiful, simple, and joyous movie. I think it might hit harder for parents though, as I've seen a number of people be kind of stymied by its laid-back, rural approach. The kid characters in this film are right up there with the most believable and honest portrayals of children you'll ever see in a movie.
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TheDreadBaron
Member
My wife tried to show my neighbor totoro to some kids she was seeing as a behavioral therapist but their crazy christian parents freaked out that the dad takes a bath with his kids and decided it was japanese filth or something
The movies are all great in their own way. Spirited away really shows the perspective of a child, how her parents don’t really listen to her, but through the course of the movie she gains confidence in herself. Especially love how ghibli villains are always some kind of pathetic, pitiable creature in the end. It’s just a really great fairy tale about learning to be independent.
Rran
Member
I am a crazy Christian parent and I love it! All it takes is a comment to one's kids about how different cultures (and different times) have different norms. The bathtub scene is totally innocent and actually a charming example of how the girls' dad helps them overcome their fear. I guess I can understand if someone is worried about hentai or something, but it's a major motion picture rated G.My wife tried to show my neighbor totoro to some kids she was seeing as a behavioral therapist but their crazy christian parents freaked out that the dad takes a bath with his kids and decided it was japanese filth or something
TheDreadBaron
Member
Yeah I mean that’s what she said, but these folks lived out on their own compound and homeschooled their kids so I don’t think they were open to new ideas. Anyhow, I totally agree it’s an absolutely charming movie. I love porco rosso too, that scene where he sees the endless trail of fallen pilots sailing together in heaven really gets me
kunonabi
Member
Porco Rosso was one of the last Ghibli films I got around to watching and it instantly went into my top 5.Yeah I mean that’s what she said, but these folks lived out on their own compound and homeschooled their kids so I don’t think they were open to new ideas. Anyhow, I totally agree it’s an absolutely charming movie. I love porco rosso too, that scene where he sees the endless trail of fallen pilots sailing together in heaven really gets me
kunonabi
Member
To be honest I've never really gotten the Mononoke hype either. It's not terrible but it's always been one of my least favorite Ghibli films.
Rran
Member
It's weird, I watched this film when I was in my early-20s and it failed to leave an impression. Fifteen years later I gave it another shot and it really struck a chord with me...? Not really sure what changed in that time. I don't feel like I've changed, but I have been watching a bunch of Ghibli movies lately so maybe there are certain aspects about them I look for now. I should check out Akira though, it's a very famous one.
V1LÆM
Gold Member
recently watch spirited away just to see what the deal was. didn't enjoy it and same for my neighbor totoro but i'd say that was better than spirited away. the only one i enjoyed a little was kiki's delivery service (loved the little black cat. can't remember it's name. that was cute). i don't see what is so special about all these movies.
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