*This article is written by staffer Yechang Liu*
Hand-drawn animation in major films has declined since Disney’s “Princess and the Frog,” but the famous Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, keeps the style of animation alive. Studio Ghibli has been making films since its founding in 1985. In the Studio Ghibli Fest 2024, a film festival held annually, 14 of the studio’s movies will be brought back to theaters so fans can enjoy them on the big screen. Spanning from April 27 – Nov. 27, each movie will be available for a few days in theaters around the U.S.
The studio has been nominated many times for the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, receiving one in 2002 for the beloved classic “Spirited Away” and one in 2023 for “The Boy and the Heron,” both directed by renowned director Hayao Miyazaki.
In the remaining line-up for Studio Ghibli Fest 2024, there are five more movies that can be enjoyed, each with times available for the English and Japanese version.
Howl’s Moving Castle: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3
A young woman named Sophie is cursed and must break the spell by finding the mysterious wizard Howl and his legendary walking castle.
Kiki’s Delivery Service: Oct. 26 – 30
Kiki leaves her home to go to a seaside town and develop her skills as a young witch, figuring out her place in the world along the way.
Pom Poko: Nov. 24 – 26
A group of Japanese raccoon dogs living on the outskirts of Tokyo must work to fight the deforestation of their home.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya: Nov. 25 – 27
An old peasant couple find a princess in a bamboo stalk, raising her as their own and are blessed with riches that turn their life upside down.
My Neighbor Totoro: Dec. 7 – 11
Satsuke and her younger sister Mei move to the countryside with their father to wait for their mother’s recovery, encountering friendly spirits and the cuddly creature known as Totoro.
Ghibli movies are intricate yet simple and bring the viewer into its magical and comforting world. Their messages are compelling and suitable for all ages. If you have time on a weekend or night after school, it’s definitely worth the watch or rewatch.
This wallpaper showcases the most popular characters from all Ghibli movies prior to 2012, handrawn by an artist on the art-based social media site, Deviant Art. (Graphic/Hyung86 on DeviantArt)
